Annual Report 2021
Wairahi Tracks Charitable Trust, Trustees’ Report for Year Ended 31 March 2021
This is the Trustees’ first Report following the establishment of the Trust on the 14th July 2020.
The formation of the Trust had its beginnings back in January 2019 when Peter Hunt persuaded a group of landowners whose properties bounded the western side of the Langs Beach Scenic Reserve that something should be done about this 14.8ha DOC controlled reserve which was overrun by Wild Ginger and Climbing Asparagus. Their properties were also being adversely affected and he received a positive response.
Much was achieved in those early months, especially following the formation of the Friday Trackies, and the eradication of the Wild Ginger revealed an old farm road running from the entrance off Cove Rd up to the top of the reserve where it met Ken Wickham’s property.
This road quickly became the main access track and alerted us to the possibility of building a network of walking tracks through the reserve. In March 2019 we had entered into a Community Agreement with DOC which allowed us to clear all their noxious weeds but the building of tracks was restricted to those tracks necessary to gain access for weed control.
In July 2019 we engaged with DOC about building walking tracks and it quickly became clear that we would not get their approval without presenting a detailed plan and showing that we were a group of some substance.
Hence the decision by the 3 current Trustees, Peter Hunt, John Tapper and Carin Wilson to form a Trust. The formation was greatly assisted by advice received from Gordon Hosking, Chairman of the Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust.
The Purposes of the Trust as set out in the Trust Deed state as follows:
First Object : Establish a network of walking tracks through the LBSR
Second Object : Link up with similar tracks which have been established in the surrounding area
Third Object : Raise funds to finance the achievement of the Purposes of the Trust
Fourth Object : Manage the ongoing upkeep and operation of the tracks
Fifth Object : Protect, preserve and maintain the environmental, cultural, ecological and heritage values of LBSR and surrounding area.
Sixth Object : Eradication of noxious weeds in the LBSR and assistance with the same in the surrounding area.
Seventh Object : To attract and retain Associate Members/Supporters/Volunteers to participate in Trust activities.
Following the formation of the Trust the Trustees decided to form a management committee (The Ginger Group) to undertake the operational activities required to meet the Trust’s Objects and delegated the appropriate authority to enable the GG to carry out these responsibilities.
The GG is structured to focus on the key areas of the Trust’s operations
· Track Building
· Weed Control
· Planting
· Supporters
· Finance
· Administration
and this has worked extremely well.
Track Building
During the past year we have extended the track network in LBSR so that there is now a loop track which follows the Main track, down the Shoulder to Fantail Flat, up Tapper Track, around the boundary to the top of Cascades and back to Fantail Flat. The plan for this year is to extend the boundary track from the top of Cascades and down a ridge nearer to John --- property. There is also more work to be done on extending access tracks for weed control. It is expected that track building in LBSR will be completed in this coming year.
This raises the question of whether the ‘access’ track network we will have will be of a standard to meet our First Object or whether we should engage in lengthy negotiations with DOC to build public walking tracks to their standards. DOC wont/cant prevent the public from accessing the reserve and feedback from users would indicate that the current standard is adequate. With the opportunities opening up in Waorahi the Trustees are of the view that this matter should not be progressed any further with DOC and more especially as the new sign they have provided for the entrance to the reserve clearly shows that it is for the enjoyment of walkers.
The most important development during the year was Bruce Copeland’s acquisition of Waorahi, a 190ha block previously known as Langsview, which runs from behind the Aaron property on Cove Road, along the ridgeline on the Southern boundary and bounded by LBE on the north. Bruce has become a member of the GG and is looking to the Trust to play a major role in the development of the walking and biking trails throughout his property. These will be linked with the Te Araroa trail which runs through the property.
The improvement of the Coastal Walkway from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove is another project the Trust is looking into.
Weed Control
LBSR
Again much has been achieved. Wild Ginger has been largely eradicated with only a few significant patches remaining. Unfortunately the same cant be said for Climbing Asparagus. While significant progress has been made much remains to be done. A lot of the terrain is steep and carrying a 20l backpack is a challenge.
There are bad infestations along the boundary with LBE and consideration is being given to joining with LBE owners and hiring outside contractors.
We wont totally eliminate these weeds but with regular attention we should be able to keep the areas around the tracks under control.
Waterman Drive
During the year we entered into an Agreement with the Whangarei District Council do assist with the control of weeds in this reserve. Some work has been done but a closer engagement with the neighbours is needed.
Coastal Walkway
The Coastal Walkway is probably one of the most heavily used tracks in the surrounding area and much could be done to improve its usability. We have agreed to support Pamela Tindall in the good work she has started on weed control. Again closer engagement with the neighbours is needed.
Planting
The front entrance to the reserve is a wetland which like the rest of the reserve was overgrown with noxious weeds. Mainly blackberry, gorse and mexican devil. The Trustees decided to engage the services of Rural Design to advise on the restoration of this wetland and this resulted in a planting plan which has been carefully followed. The planting that has been carried out in the wetland and along the Wairahi stream is no doubt the success story of the year. Both the entrance to the LBSR and the banks of the Wairahi stream have been transformed. A keen band under Dawn Morrison’s leadership has put a huge amount of work into both areas to prepare for planting and the aftercare (watering, weeding, pest control) which has been ongoing. A total of 1250 plants have been planted in the wetland and 850 along the Wairahi stream.
The final planting of 250 plants in the wetland will take place in June/July and this will be coordinated with the planting of a further 625 plants on the adjacent bank owned by the Lang family who have been very cooperative and supportive of this work.
Associate Members and Communications
As a result of various initiatives including targeted emails, community gatherings, trackies and word of mouth the Trust now has a contact list of 127 friends and supporters. These Friends (name preferred to Associate Members) receive regular updates about Trust activities by newsletter, the Trust’s Facebook page and shortly through a new website.
Relationships with External Parties
We have been successful in establishing positive relationships with a number of other community groups including DOC, Whangarei Regional and District Councils, Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust, Weed Action Piroa-Brynderwyn, Piroa-Brynderwyn Landcare.
Finance
The Trust’s finances are in a healthy state with over $6000 in the bank at 31 March. We received $10,000 from Friends including some major donations for specific projects and we are most grateful for this support. We were also most fortunate in receiving a WDC Community Grant of $6500.
Major items of expenditure included weed clearing and planting in the wetland $6500, tree mulching along the Wairahi stream $2800 and machinery $1000.
The GG has prepared a comprehensive Master Plan detailing the works for the for the coming year and we expect that this will require funding of at least $10,000 so once again we will be looking to our Friends and Community Funds for support.
Finally our sincere thanks must go to our enthusiastic and committed GG and to our happy bands of Trackies. They must take the major part of the credit for what has been achieved and we look forward to their continuing support. It has been suggested that we can be assured of the Friday trackies support as long as Christine Birss continues to arrive at 11am every Friday with her Bacon & Egg pie.
John Tapper
Chairman
4 June 2021