This Content Is Only For Subscribers
The Department of Conservation has completed a major upgrade to the Water-race Track on the western side of Mt Karioi near Raglan, improving the visitor experience while helping protect a nearby stand of young kauri.
The four-day project saw DOC staff spread 59 tonnes of gravel across an 800-metre section of track, with the material flown in by helicopter over two days in around 60 separate loads.
DOC Waikato biodiversity and heritage ranger Jack Garland says the resurfacing will make the popular walking track more accessible while reducing the risk of spreading kauri dieback.
“The track was fairly basic and would become very muddy after rain.
“So to improve the experience for visitors, and ensure we met our kauri protection responsibilities, we wanted to resurface it.”
The Water-race Track follows part of a historic water race built in the 1920s to supply hydroelectric power to the former Bryant Convalescent Home for Children. Today it forms part of DOC’s wider walking track network around Mt Karioi and passes through a stand of around 20 young kauri trees.
Gravel surfacing complements existing kauri hygiene stations at either end of the track by helping keep footwear cleaner in wet conditions.
DOC says further resurfacing work beyond the kauri stand will be completed later using ground-based equipment.
