Porirua Mayor Mike Tana and Ngāti Toa Kaumatua Taku Parai opening Te Ara Utiwai
A spectacular new walking and cycling track, which opened today, showcases the very best of Porirua’s bush and scenery.
Te Ara Utiwai is a 6.1km track with a gentle gradient, making access to Rangituhi’s stunning lookout achievable for people of all fitness levels, Council Parks Manager Olivia Dovey said.
“This is a very special track through stunning native forest, with outstanding scenery, which is going to be hugely popular for cyclists, walkers and joggers,” Ms Dovey said.
“We put together our best team of
project managers, engineers, track builders and environmental advisors for this
project and we’re really happy with the end result.”
Mountain biking legend Simon
Kennett is a huge fan of the new track.
“Te Ara Utiwai is one of the most beautiful tracks in New Zealand. Ascending through the mature tawa and kohekohe dominated forest of the Porirua Scenic Reserve to the lookout vista is magic!”, he said.
“The track is brilliantly designed and built for use on foot or by bike. It's a marvellous addition to a region blessed with world-class trails.
“For mountain bikers, Te Ara
Utiwai is an instant classic. With its engaging flow and stunning native forest
setting, it's easily one of the best climbs in New Zealand.”
The track was officially opened by
Porirua Mayor Mike Tana and Ngāti Toa Kaumatua Taku Parai.
Porirua Mayor Mike Tana said it
was great to have a track that was suitable for all fitness levels, allowing
more people to get out and experience Porirua’s beautiful hills and bush.
And, he has already ridden the track and given his seal of approval and said he
just loves it.
“We know this track is going to be
a big hit with our community, and with visitors to Porirua. The more people who
can get out and enjoy our beautiful natural environment the better,” he said.
“I’ve ridden the track already and
it’s got my seal of approval – I just love it.
“A shout out to Mana Cycle Group,
from our community, for their initial vision for the track,” he said.
Ms Dovey said designing and
building a track of this standard in a scenic reserve was always challenging,
and the team had done a fantastic job. The project was skilfully managed
to protect the environment, was completed on time and had come in under budget,
she said.
The first 1.4km section of the
track allows two-way cycling, while the second section of 4.7km is for uphill
cycling only. Walkers can use all parts of the track in either direction.
Te Ara Utiwai begins at the Camp
Elsdon entrance in Raiha Street and is signposted (view map).
Outdoor recreation in Porirua is
anticipating another huge boost with the planned Adventure Park development,
which is proposed to feature a network of trails and other attractions
including a gondola, cafes, zip lines and a surf simulator
“With our existing trails, Te Ara Utiwai, the Adventure Park and other tracks already in the pipeline Porirua is a serious player on the outdoor recreation and mountain biking circuit,” Mayor Tana said.
27 Mar 2018
