The Wairarapa region, located approximately 1 to 2 hours drive east and north east of Wellington, has long been renowned for its world class food and wines, but even amongst New Zealanders the spectacular landscape and stunning coast-line is not actually that well known and despite its natural and cultural setting, the Wairarapa does not yet have a coordinated trails network.
TRC has been engaged to work with the project team which includes the 3 Wairarapa Councils (Carterton District Council, Masterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council, as well as Destination Wairarapa, Greater Wellington Regional Council and several trails trusts to develop a trails master plan that links the five main towns of the Wairarapa and also provides a strengthened visitor economy offering.
TRC held the first workshop with the project team, led by the Mayor of Carterton Greg Lang this week to get the project started. The visit included TRC consultants Chris Rose and Debby van der Scheer and included some initial site visits and consultation with those who have worked long and hard on the trails in the Wairarapa in the past.
The Master Plan will provide the network recipe book for the next decade and include a 10 year implementation plan as well as governance recommendations that will help the Wairarapa reach its potential as a trails destination, matching the food, wine, nature and culture of the region.