An extensive upgrade project at the Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway – which has seen three years of work achieved in one – has been completed by the South Waikato District Council, allowing for the re-opening of the entire length of the track at the Blue Spring in Putāruru.

Council had initially budgeted $2.1 million for the track renewal, spread across the first three years of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034, but pushed the work forward to avoid further track closures in the immediate future.

Alongside critical work to secure rockfall at the site, which triggered its closure almost two years ago, the project included strengthening boardwalks and diverting the walking track away from unstable cliffs.

The car park at the Leslie Road end has also been upgraded to triple its previous capacity, a key measure to increasing safety at that entry point of the track. The 4.7km-long walkway can now once again be accessed from two ends – Leslie Road and Whites Road.

South Waikato District Council Executive Manager of Delivery, Nick Murphy, celebrated what is a wonderful outcome for members of the District and the tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists who visit the walkway.

“This work has not only addressed safety and access issues, but also improved several areas of the track,” Murphy said. “There were also major end-of-life assets that had to be renewed or replaced.”

“We have now caught up on the outstanding maintenance of many years and, barring unforeseen natural events, the walkway shouldn’t need shutting again for the foreseeable future.”

Following a re-opening ceremony and karakia by South Waikato mana whenua Raukawa on 27 June, Murphy acknowledged the cultural significance of the site.

“Te Waihou is a special place for mana whenua. We want to thank them and the wider community for their patience and support over the last two years.”

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