Work on upgrades to the Pouākai Tarns boardwalk is underway, marking the one of the final phases of infrastructure development of the Taranaki Crossing project.
The Taranaki Crossing project is a partnership involving DOC, Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa), Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and hapū which has seen several tracks across Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki upgraded. The Pouākai Hut has also been replaced.
The Taranaki Crossing is funded by the Provincial Growth Fund ($16.4 million), which is administered by Kānoa. Additional funding to support the project has been provided by DOC ($5.2 million).
Jacqui King, Taranaki Iwi representative, says the commencement of the final stage is a very exciting milestone for all partners involved.
"Mana whenua have been working tirelessly with our DOC and Kānoa teams to ensure each project - within the broader Taranaki Crossing project – is focused on protecting ngā maunga and providing manaaki (support) for manuhiri (visitors) throughout their journey."
Jacqui says: "As kaitiaki (guardians) of this whenua, we hold a deep responsibility to care for this special place that sustain us all. This unique wetland is a taonga — a treasured ecosystem, rich with life and meaning.
"Over time, the growing number of visitors has placed stress on this delicate environment, and it is our duty to ensure it remains healthy for future generations.
"The extended and renewed boardwalk will allow people to continue to experience the beauty and mauri (life force) of this special place, without harming the fragile Taiao (water, soils and habitats) that lie beneath."
Jacqui says the project partners look forward to welcoming visitors who share our respect of this unique landscape – those who walk gently, who listen and who understand that true connection to our natural word, comes with care.
"Patience and support from manuhiri (visitors) during this time of rebuild will help us improve the infrastructure to protect this special place so it can continue to thrive and inspire all who visit, for generations to come."
DOC's Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director Tinaka Mearns says the tarns are a sensitive and significant wetland feature within Te-Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, offering visitors dramatic views of both the Pouākai Range and Taranaki Maunga.
"For many enjoying the walk, it's a chance to get the iconic image of the maunga reflected in the tarns' water," Tinaka says. "It really is a fabulous peaceful location, which makes it so popular with visitors."
Tinaka says about 120 m of boardwalk across the tarns will be replaced. At 1.2 m wide, the new boardwalk will be nearly twice as wide as the existing structures and will be elevated above the sensitive tarns at heights between 20 cm and 90 cm.
The construction will take about nine weeks – good weather allowing – and will mean staged closures of different sections of the boardwalk while work is completed. There will be no detours, to keep visitors off the sensitive plants which are found across the tarns, and people enjoying the walk are asked to alert contractor staff to their presence.
Tinaka says: "We do want to acknowledge the replacement of the boardwalk will mean some delays, and visitors may not be able to get that special photograph they're after.
"But we're confident the investment and this part of the project will deliver a memorable experience for visitors who'll be out naturing when the work is completed – and we'd encourage them to come back another time."
The Taranaki Crossing feasibility study in 2017 identified the project as expected to generate $3.70 million annually for the region's economy in years to come.
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