Track to Anzac cross in trust for public

SPECIAL: Tinui was first place in the world to hold a memorial service.

The path to the Tinui Anzac Cross is now owned by the Tinui Parish Anzac Trust, which has secured the future of the memorial for public access.

Trust chairman Alan Emerson said the whole process to survey the land, create an all-weather walkway, and hold ownership of the land had been a combined effort between committees, the trust and the people of Wairarapa.

"Tinui was the first place in the world to hold a memorial service so it's totally unique, and now we own the top of the hill," he said.

The track up to the top of the hill was completed last year and opened by Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson but Mr Emerson said no one had legal access to the cross without permission.

"Now, the owner has given that land to the Tinui Anzac Trust, which we hold in trust for the people of Wairarapa."

Mr Emerson thanked businesses and supporters of the trust's work yesterday which included the Wairarapa Times Age, Tomlinson and Carruthers, and WCM Legal.

"Since 2010, we have achieved quite a lot," he said.

"We've also got the place as an historic class one site.

"Developing that track was huge because there wasn't any track there. It was through bush and scrub and the whole nine yards, and it was all the local people who did it.

"There were no paid contractors it was just people getting in there and working. Surveyors, legal work, people providing timber, people cutting bush and trees down ... the whole Wairarapa community has gotten behind the trust, which is great."

Mr Emerson said the track would opens in November through to Anzac Day but people can "just stop at the cemetery and just walk up whenever you like.

"To me, it is a huge tourist deal.

"I've been to Gallipoli a couple of times and you get thousands there, but I say if you can't get to Gallipoli, come to Tinui.

"With the transport, accommodation and restaurant options, it's huge.

"The fact we now own the top of the hill means the security of the future for locals. Once we've got it, no one can take it away."