Quinn Dallinger on his farm at the foot of Mt Maungatautari
Reopening the northern entrance to the country’s largest ecological island on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari will have huge economic benefits for the Waipā economy.
A drone view of the northern track from Hicks Road
It is already a significant domestic tourism attraction because of its ancient native forest, but visitor numbers have been impacted since the closure of the Hicks Road entrance in 2018 following a dispute with land owners.
That side is the one closest to Lake Karāpiro which has thousands of visitors every year.
Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest, announced the northern entrance reopening on New Year’s Eve. He was chief executive of the Maungatautari Trust from 2002 to 2009 and helped raise more than $17 million required for the construction of 47kms of predator proof fence around 3400 ha of indigenous forest.
Before the dispute, the first 850 metres of the walk from Hicks Road had been along a private driveway and across private farmland.
“More people can enjoy this ancient ngahere in the heart of our district. Maungatautari is home to so many native flora and fauna and is a very special place to visit so I would encourage those who can, to do so,” said Mylchreest.
The track follows the Wairakau Stream to the mountain
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari co-chair Poto Davies said the trust was privileged to be able to share the mauri and mana of the maunga.
The southern entrance at Tari Road, home to the Manu Tīoriori Visitor Centre, remained open during the three-year dispute.
Maungatautari marketing manager Freeman Ehu said there had been a major surge in visitor numbers in the past few weeks.
Quinn Dallinger, who has farmed since 2016 on a 225ha dry stock property below the mountain and next to the Hicks Road entrance, welcomed the announcement of the northern reopening.
He has been collaborating with the council and the trust to re-establish access and has overseen the establishment of a track on his property which follows the Wairakau Stream to the mountain.
Communications professional Kate Monahan of Hamilton took her family on the 75 minute Ancient Forest Guided Tour on 4 January. “What a beautiful, peaceful, sacred place – an ancient forest wonderland,” she said.
“What a beautiful, peaceful, sacred place – an ancient forest wonderland.” – Kate Monahan, communications professional.
Meanwhile Cambridge Community Board member Mike Montgomerie, who has an adjoining 27ha bush block inside the pest proof fence, released four kiwi in the reserve before Christmas.
He told the board a recent survey showed there were as many as 1200 kiwi on Maungatautari.
Read: Maungatautari Hicks Road access reopens.
Maungatautari kiwi ranger Craig Montgomerie releases a kiwi into the sanctuary.
Sam and Mike Montgomerie release kiwi into the bush
