The route would follow a stand of trees from near the Ngāhināpouri township to Old School Rd, then to the Waipā River.
Ngāhinapōuri residents have unveiled plans for a 4.3km community driven and organised walking and cycling trail aimed at creating a sense of connection and identity for the Waipā village.
The walkway will pass though stands of kahikatea.
The walkway will help protect and restore the Mangahia Stream, promote wellbeing and recognise the historic Horokiokio Pā site as it descends to the Waipā River.
The group behind the project presented their vision to Waipā District Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee this week.
Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey told councillors the group first provided detailed feedback to the Ahu Ake – Spatial Plan community engagement process but plans have been underway for some time.
Brian Marcroft, Mark Harrop, Daniel Finlayson and Martin Reid said the project involved establishing a grade two, 2.8km dual use walking and cycling track from Pilot Drive to Old School Road.
Then it would morph into a 1.5km ecological trail of both boardwalk and path from Old School Road to Waipā River.
It would pass through native bush that includes original stands of kahikatea and the pā site.
The long-term focus is to restore the stream corridor with native planting.
A charitable trust is being established.
The group wants the project recognised as part of Ahu Ake and flagged to the committee it would make a submission to the council’s Long Term Plan seeking a council contribution to the walkway.
The estimated cost is $6-800,000 for a mix of boardwalk and formed metal pathway.
The plans to restore the Mangahia Stream links in with the work done by the Mangahia Catchment Group. It involves exploring the connection to the Mangahia Peat lake, protect the kahikatea forest and corridor and improve the Waipā River.
It is also hoped the dual walk and cycle way would be added to the Te Ara Wai journeys app which is a free self-guided tour of culturally significant sites throughout Waipā.
Mangahia Stream
