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COROMANDEL LIFE
SPRING 2013
Mayor Glenn Leach
was recently re-elected
for a second three-year term of Thames-
Coromandel as were new and returning
Councillors and Community Board members.
Mayor Leach set out three key projects for
the Council – Coromandel Great Walks, the
Coromandel Harbour Facilities Project and the
Kaiaua to Kopu leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail
– while admitting that some non-must-have
projects might be on hold.
He forsees “a lift in the economy in 12-18
months time” with the need to now “start
building foundations for it to all fall into place”.
“We’ve got a really great team at Council and
I know from experience, that… you’re only as
good as your team…” Here are team members:
Craggy, white cliffs dropping down to an azure
blue sea is a sight that takes the breath away.
These views between Hot Water Beach and
Hahei have been the backdrop in the Narnia
movies but it’s nothing on the reality of actually
being here. And the reality is that everyone
could have the chance to experience the same
views if a proposed walk between Hot Water
Beach and Hahei gets the green light as part of
our Council’s Coromandel Great Walks project.
The Great Walks project aims to link the whole
district through a variety of great walks around
the coastline and across the spine of the
Coromandel. Some may be only several hours
long, while others may be done over several
days to cater to all ages and levels of fitness.
The actual build and maintenance of the walks
will require support from the local community
in terms of volunteerism and funding from local
and central government agencies.
The concept for the Coromandel Great Walks
Project was formulated by our mayor Glenn
Leach, who in a previous life was a Coromandel
tourism operator and businessman and grew
up on the Coromandel. Mr Leach ran Aoteroa
Adventures, an outdoor adventure company
that ran guided trips into the Kaimanawa and
Kaweka Ranges.
“And as a young fella, I’ve been taken on many
walks with the family so I know a lot of this
area and want others to have the chance to
experience what I had and enjoy this beautiful
place,” says Mr Leach.
Since January 2012 a small Council project
team has undertaken background research
and informal investigations on possible walks.
A formal working party was established in
May 2012 made up of a number of agencies
including our Council, Department of
Conservation, Waikato Regional Council, local
iwi Ngati Hei, our Regional Tourism Operator
Destination Coromandel and a representative
from the local recreation group Coastal
Walkways.
“This working party focused on Stage One of
the project, looking at the viability of the first
link which would be a walk approximately 12km
long connecting Hot Water Beach to Cathedral
Cove and Hahei,” says project manager Garry
Towler.
This covers approximately 65% public
conservation land, 20% TCDC land, 10% iwi
land and 5% private land.
“it’s a walk that definitely has the wow factor,”
says Mr Towler. “We’ve been lucky enough to
have local iwi take us through some sections of
Story and photos courtesy of
Thames Coromandel District Council
land and it’s over pa sites, it’s alongside marine
reserves, through stands of native trees that are
hundreds of years old and along cliff tops with
truly exceptional views.”
“This is a section of the Coromandel with
outstanding cultural, environmental and
heritage qualities,” says Mr Towler. “The parts
I’ve been able to walk along, and those I’ve
taken with me have come back buzzing from
the experience.”
A business case and feasibility study is now
underway along with discussions with private
landowners.
“Our Council is also looking to take a detailed
proposal to Wellington to request funding and
support from the Government,” says Mayor
Leach.
“I believe this is the sort of initiative that
Government can’t walk away from,” he says.
“The national economy has been depressed
for some time now and we’re stepping up to
the plate and saying things might not get better
for a long, long time so let’s get in and do
something that’s real while we can”.
To find out more about the Coromandel Great
Walks go to
or email
r inquiries.
Councillors
Coromandel-Colville:
Tony Brljevich;
Mercury
Bay:
Tony Fox and Murray McLean;
Thames:
Diane Connors, Peter French, Sanda Goudie.
South Eastern:
Jan Bartley, Jack Wells.
Community Board Members
Coromandel-Colvill:
John Walker, Keith
Stephenson, Jane Warren, Kim Brett;
Tairua-
Pauanui:
Bob Renton, Kim Coppersmith, Gloria
Rennie-Giles, Donna Brooke
; Mercury Bay:
Paul Hopkins, Paul Kelly, Bill McLean, Deli
Connell;
Thames:
Strat Peters, Lester Yates,
Rex Simpson, Craig Cassidy;
Whangamata:
Terry Walker, Peter Kerr, Keith Johnston, Ryan
Thompson.
Good luck to all for the next three years!
Coromandel
Great Walks Story
REGION WIDE
ELECTIONS: LEACH
CONTINUES AS MAYOR
