Whereas the ferry ride across the Pühoi involved a pull of more than 600 metres, somewhat more given the peaking tide was still running at a couple of knots, crossing Te Muri Estuary was achieved by pulling an unsinkable dinghy back and forth with a 40 metre line from either bank.
The nascent northern spit of the estuary, being perfectly sheltered from the freshening northeasterly, was the obvious place for walkers to eat their lunches. A 10-minute gentle climb had walkers reach the second saddle, overlooking Sullivans Bay, and their bus back to Waiwera. But not before receiving a rousing invitation by Bronwen Turner to join Friends of Regional Parks and support that group’s determination to see the regional parks network survive the transition in the region’s governance structures. Bronwen’s father, Judge Arnold Turner, walkers will be interested to know, played a pivotal role in ensuring that the locals’ determination to keep Te Muri car free 25 years ago prevailed over plans to drive a road and road bridge across the estuary to a 4000-car car park.
With the 2011 purchase of 400 hectares of additional parkland at Te Muri for $15 million, there is now a very real danger that the area’s isolation and tranquillity will be diminished by the imperative to justify the purchase by opening up the park to vehicular access. Hence the need to encourage the park’s policy makers adopt a broader perspective and to visualise a Mahurangi Coastal Trail of regional, if not national, importance connecting magnificently with Te Araroa, the national walkway.
Sunday’s walk was timed to energise a deputation to the Rodney Local Board scheduled the following afternoon. By the end of that walk, involving 42 walkers, ferrymen and a busman, it was obvious as to what the deputation should ask of its board members, during its 10-minute presentation: Invite the board to do the walk. If, subsequently, any board member is disinclined to support a detailed study being made of the concept, then no amount of pleading in the old Rodney District Council chambers is likely change such heart of stone.
An eloquent invitation was issued by Andrea Boyed, great-granddaughter of Ngärewa Sullivan—hence Ngärewa Drive, hence Sullivans Bay—assisted by board member June Turner’s enthusiastic account of Sunday’s walk.
Small wonder the board agreed to walk the walk, just as soon as a suitable day and tide could be decided upon.
Update The Rodney Local Board has scheduled 15 March to walk the Mahurangi Coastal Trail.
Mahurangi Coastal Trail:
First Draft of Report for Coastal
Trail Discussion at Club
$15 Million Te Muri Purchase
Lucky Te Araroa Break
Ten Minutes and Local
Board Agrees to Walk
The Coastal Path and
the Ferrymen
After a Century or More
Ferrymen to Work Sunday
Road Would Ruin Future for
Mahurangi Coastal Trail
Submission Suggests City as
Green Growth Capital
Unique Role for
Mahurangi and Public Transport
Te Muri Acquisition
Key to Coastal Trail
Captain Jones’ Legacy
Complete at Te Muri
Link Waiwera to Mahurangi with
Coastal Cycle Trail
Part of a hope-based network restoring and enjoying the Mahurangi
Editor Cimino Cole
One of Many: Ferrymen Jefferson Chapple and Andrew Hay plied the 600-metre crossing of the Pühoi Estuary multiple times, adding utter authenticity to the Mahurangi Coastal Trail supporters walk. Image Evelyn Brown
No Place for Boardwalk: While it was the expedient point at which to ferry supporters across Te Muri on Sunday, the boardwalk and bridge needed to provide all‑tide access would be located 400 metres or more upstream, where it would be screened by mangroves and not detract from the almost visually pristine estuary—note the white sign warning of overhead wires.
