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$150,000 of New Year Happpiness
Funders have granted $150,484 to advance Te Araroa 2004 track projects - tracks that vary from the Far North to the Deep South.
The Lottery Grants Board Environment and Heritage Fund has granted $25,000 for further work on the Ocean to Ocean Track in the Far North. The LGB also gave $15,000 towards a proposed track down the Longwood Range in Southland, and a further $25,484 for tracks in the Waikato.
The Regional Authority Environment Waikato granted Te Araroa Trust a total of $25,000 for the "City to Mountain" route between Hamilton and Pirongia, and to help with a bridge planned for the Mangaokewa Reserve outside of Te Kuiti. Sky City Hamilton chipped in another $10,000 for Waikato tracks.
Another $50,000 of $1 for $1 subsidy is on hand from the Employment Catalyst Fund of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, giving Te Araroa Trust a total 2004 trail spending budget of $150,484.
The proposed Longwood track will follow an old gold race, built by Chinese labourers over 100 years ago, and extending over 40 kilometres to the old release dams above the alluvial goldfields of Round Hill, near Riverton. The north-south alignment of the Longwood track suits Te Araroa, and will also provide a good stand-along walk in Southland. Local groups, Southland District Council and DoC Southland are also expected to contribute some funding to this trail.
