Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, 9 December 2022
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate (extreme right) with mana whenua at the ceremony
The Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Councils were joined by mana whenua key partners, and contractors to bless the completion of the Hamilton and Waikato sections of the Te Awa River Ride today (December 9, 2022).
The completion of the final section will ensure that Hamiltonians can safely walk, cycle and scooter the entire 65 km path that began 13 years ago with a vision from Te Awa River Ride Trust, unlocking the door to the wider Waikato and Waipa regions.
Hard work, rich dividends
The Te Awa River Ride is stated to be one of the most accessible and scenic cycling and walking trails in New Zealand. It is the longest concrete path in the country winding its way for 65 km from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karapiro following New Zealand’s largest river – the mighty Waikato.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate spoke to the group at the Bridge that joins the two sections over the Mangaonua Stream.
“I was present at the very first section opening in Cambridge back in 2009 with the Waikato Regional Council. So, to be here today, 13 years later, and see the full path through to completion, as the Mayor of Hamilton, is exceptionally special. I acknowledge the key partnerships and people who have all worked so hard on this final section of the pathway,” she said.
Ms Southgate said that the hard work will continue to pay dividends and that the Project will be a valuable, well-used and well-loved cycling path that people will cherish.
Along with working closely with Te Awa River Ride Trust and Waikato District Council, the Hamilton Council partnered with Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, which funded 51% of the project. The remaining 49% came from the government’s Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund, managed by Kanoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit.
Several contractors, including Gray Matter, Splice Construction and Base Civil, played a large role in building the 1.15 km of a new path, a new boardwalk up to Geoffrey Place, and shared path and on-road improvements.
65 kms of pathway on foot, bicycle and scooter
Challenges along the River
Hamilton City Council Capital Projects Director Kelly Stokes said that it has been a difficult few years of construction, with contractors working through one of the most challenging river sections to construct the pathway.
“Combined with the delays and impacts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, I am proud of the resilience that the team has shown to push through and deliver this stunning new path,” she said.
In addition to the new sections of the path, new gates and signage have also been installed on the existing boardwalk through Hammond Park encouraging people on bikes and scooters to ‘walk their wheels.’
The boardwalk takes users over one of Hamilton’s oldest gully systems known to be a roosting area for the native long-tailed bat (Pekapeka-toa-roa).
Perry Bridge across the Waikato river- a part of the Great NZ River Ride (Photo by Emmets Civil Construction Limited)
The flora and the fauna
Within this one-hectare area are more than 145 different native plant species, making this one of the city’s richest forests. Its cultural heritage dates back to the 16th century when the area became the land of the Ngaati Wairere people.
It is also a corridor for Tuis and Kereru (wood pigeon) and occasionally Korimako (bellbird) and Kaka (native parrot) travelling into the city.
“These reasons and more meant the boardwalk could not be widened; which is why we are asking people to walk through this narrow 500 m section. An on-road detour has been designed for those who want to stay on their bikes or scooters,” Ms Stokes said.
With the opening of both sections of the Hamilton and Waikato, the focus is shifting to an event in March 2023, when the entire 65 km Te Awa River Ride from Karapiro to Ngaruawahia will be celebrated.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
