Opinion split over Te Mata Peak track, alternative path under discussion

Alice Bayley, from Hawke's Bay,and John Myburg, from South Africa are among hundreds who have traversed the walking track up Te Mata Peak's eastern side before it is removed. Photo / Paul Taylor

Although the controversial $300,000 Te Mata Peak walking track will still be removed, an alternative path could one day wind its way up the peak's eastern slopes.

Yesterday the parties involved with the Craggy Range winery track announced they would work together to explore alternative options for public walking access on the eastern side.

After the public outcry, Craggy Range announced late last month it would remove the track. However, there since has been an outpouring of support for the track, after hordes took the opportunity to walk the path.

Craggy Range CEO Mike Wilding yesterday said the company remained committed to its decision last month that the best resolution was to remove the track, restore the land and return it to the previous owner.

"As we said at the time, we never intended to alienate or divide any part of our community by developing the public track and we moved swiftly to close the trail.

"However, it is clear that there is considerable public support for walking access on the eastern slopes of the peak and today we have agreed to work together on exploring an alternative that can hopefully satisfy everyone."

Talks were held on Friday between the winery, local iwi, and local government representatives. All supported and respected Craggy Range's decision, and were committed to working together to find a long-term solution for access to the east side of Te Mata Peak.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the meeting's aim was to "get everyone's views on the table and provide an opportunity to share and understand each other's perspectives".

"Those who attended the meeting voiced their enormous respect for Craggy Range and all agreed they have been exemplary throughout this process."

As the consenting body, the Hastings District Council came under fire for not publicly notifying the track application, including from Ngati Kahungunu Iwi for whom Te Mata Peak, or Te Mata o Rongokako, has ancestral, historical and future importance.

Ngati Kahungunu iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana yesterday said Craggy Range had acted with "integrity and mana", and the iwi respected its decision to remediate the track.

"People have said they wanted a track on the eastern side. We'll work to ensure the accommodation of everyone's interest in the future. This is a chance for us all to work together to create something exceptional," he said.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman, Rex Graham, was delighted in the agreement for all parties to work together to come up with an alternative option to provide public access to the east side of the peak.

The track is near land where Te Mata Park Trust has jurisdiction. Trust chairman Mike Devonshire said this should be the catalyst for positive big picture discussions to increase connectivity, conservation, and a common vision across the peak.

In the meantime, Craggy Range Winery is developing a remediation plan and will be applying for resource consent to remove the track in February, with works due to commence in autumn.

Although the track remains closed, hundreds of people have taken the opportunity to walk it over the holiday period.

Yesterday former Twyford resident Alice Bayley and her partner, John Myburg, had given the track a go, spotting it while driving back from the beach.

"We just thought it looked like fun. It's awesome, there were heaps of people on it. It wasn't too difficult," she said.

Back home for a visit, Bayley said she had been updated on the controversy around the track, but thought, given the track was already etched into the eastern slope of the peak, that it would be silly to remove it.

"It's good for the Bay, for tourism and for a bit of fitness."

A number of petitions have been created about the track - one opposing it has received around 6200 online signatures, and one calling for it to be saved has been signed by more than 9000 people.