Editorial: Support for Peak project

It towers above us as we go about our daily lives - Te Mata Peak is truly the giant among us.

I have expressed my affection for Te Mata Peak in this column before, but now a project is under way to turn our gem into an even bigger tourist attraction.

Hawke's Bay Today is giving its wholehearted support to a fundraising project by the Te Mata Park Trust to build a new visitor and education centre at the base of the mountain.

Over the next few months we will be writing stories about different aspects of the Peak and showing how people can contribute to making this project a success.

The trust needs $4 million to fund the project and to date it has raised $2.25 million. That includes $1.1 million from Hastings District Council, $500,000 from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, $250,000 from Napier City Council and $400,000 from private philanthropists and charitable trusts by fundraising consultancy Giblin Group.

Other funding applications have been made to the Lotteries Commission and the Eastern and Central Community Trust. More recently, individuals have come forward to offer funding or commit in other ways to the project.

But, the project needs you to help as well. The trust is hoping to raise $50,000 from the community and this newspaper is happy to lend a hand to raise the money for something that will only enhance the stature of the mountain.

Te Mata Peak is an integral part of our community. A visitor and education centre would allow tourists and schoolchildren the opportunity to get to know the history of the Peak and the park around it. Let's help Te Mata Peak achieve the tourist and educational potential it can.