New walkway puts hikers in the loop

A dozen years ago when Roger Dane moved to Okiato, near Russell in the Bay of Islands, locals told him the area wasn't what it used to be.

They had always walked the scenic road to Russell but with ever-increasing traffic, it was no longer safe or enjoyable.

But Mr Dane noticed there were pockets of "beautiful mature bush", council reserve and DoC land between Okiato and Russell, and saw the potential for an off-road walkway.

He approached the council, who told him it was a good idea but they had no money, and then the Bay of Islands Rotary Club, whose members happened to have the surveying, engineering and accounting skills needed.

In 2003, the trio of Mr Dane, Brett King and Roger Toplis got to work, collecting volunteers, funding and allies, and setting up the Bay of Islands Walkways Trust to oversee the project and apply for grants.

On Saturday, their efforts, and those of many other volunteers, paid off with the opening of the fourth and final leg of the 8.2km Okiato to Russell walkway.

The final section includes a 510m boardwalk across Orongo Bay's mangrove flats and 1.5km roadside path into Russell, making it possible to walk an 18km loop around the inner Bay of Islands. Hikers starting in Paihia, for example, can follow the Paihia-Opua Coastal Walkway, catch the car ferry to Okiato, walk the Okiato-Russell track, and finally take a passenger ferry back to Paihia.

Mr Dane, now living in Waipu, was one of more than 60 people who gathered at Orongo Bay Homestead on Saturday to celebrate the track's opening, although failing health meant he could not walk his own creation.

"I think we're all relieved it's done," he said.

"Now we have to make sure the whole thing is maintained and its tourism value is maximised."

The walkway's appeal was its diversity - it passed through bush and mangroves, along coast and over boardwalks - as well as its flora and fauna, including weka, fernbirds and herons. It also passed historic sites such as the first capital at Okiato and the manganese mine at Orongo Bay.

The walkway was opened by Far North Mayor Wayne Brown, who said the project tied in with his council's kaupapa of helping communities that helped themselves.

He paid tribute to the "massive" effort and the contribution by the area's Rotary clubs, with the Bay of Islands club building the walkway and the Kerikeri club starting the Northern Crossing multisport event.

The walk would complement the Twin Coast Cycle Trail and the hot springs at Ngawha, he said.

Trust chair Roger Toplis said the walkway had been a "labour of love" for the volunteers, who had turned out for working bees every summer Monday for seven years. He also paid tribute to contractors who went beyond the call of duty and landowners who allowed the walkway over their property.

Working bees were planned every spring to keep the track in good condition.