Discover the real Waiheke - one step at a time

When Waiheke parks officer Gary Wilton came to us with the idea for an ‘all around Waiheke’ walk, we jumped at the chance to support the project. As keen runners and walkers we immediately saw the potential in promoting Waiheke’s fantastic walkway network in a comprehensive way. Also, with Waiheke experiencing a strong trend towards expensive, consumption based tourism offerings, we felt it was important to secure low-impact, sustainable and free alternatives. Since that day in 2010, we have been involved with every step of this project's development.

Making the case 2010-11

We started with a document that set out the reason this project should be adopted by the Waiheke Local Board and Auckland Council. This was used to ‘sell' the project - with immediate success. 

Initially we named it the Waiheke Coastal Walkway. It promised to lead people around all the most interesting and sometime lesser-known features of the island, using mostly existing walkways.

Noting international trends and the success of the Otago Rail Trail in the South Island, the report suggested this walkway could become one of the great New Zealand experiences - all within easy reach of Auckland.

This is not a wilderness walk - the fact that walkers can easily dip in and out of the walk and do small sections at a time provides opportunities for support services to develop - shuttles services, accommodation, tour guides will grow with the trail's reputation.

Developing the concept 2014

We then worked with Gary Wilton and consultant Patrick Thorps on a more detailed plan for the project. Acknowledging that walkers would create their own experience on the island, we mooted the project name ‘Walk Waiheke' - focusing more on the experience than the route.

Instead of walking the full 100km circuit around the island, we imagined most people would choose to take on smaller sections or even create their own routes. To accommodate this, we started identifying different zones, each with their distinct character, creating a menu of options. The 'red line' on the map acts as a guide and guarantee: it will lead you to the next village via the most scenic route. 

An overview of necessary track improvements was created by Patrick Thorp, accompanied with a projected cost for delivery.

Signage requirements were also identified. The plan included an overview of the locations for trail markers (M), contact point signs (C) and decision points (D) were identified, as well as possible locations for future interpretive signs for specific places (PL).

Delivering Te Ara Hura 2015

Enthusiasm for the trail was building. Ngati Paoa, the Local Board's main treaty partner on Waiheke, came on board and created a proper name for the project: Te Ara Hura - The Path of Discovery.

The character zones were consolidated into four: Headlands, Beaches 'n Baches, Forest Heart and Far End were featured in seperate trail brochures. 

We created designs for the maps, trail markers and signs along the trail and have been involved with regular updates to the maps ever since.

It does not stop there

Things change: big storm events cause slips and track closures, landowner permissions change, new opportunities arise and user feedback is received. All of these changes mean the maps need to be updated regularly. At the moment there is a long wait for major work to be done on a number of crucial sections of the main Te Ara Hura Trail, so we had to create maps with suggested temporary diversions. Elevation points were added following user feedback and refinements to the base map and brand are made regularly.

Interpretation as well

Starting at Matiatia, Snapper has also developed interpretive displays and digital interpretation along the Te Ara Hura trail. The vision is to roll this out across all significant areas. The sample above is a sign that was developed to give walkers on the popular headland sculpture route an overview of local landmarks and associated stories.

Credits:

Reports and vision development: Gary Wilton (Auckland Council), Jan Ramp, Alex Stone (Snapper Graphics)
Overall design concept: Jan Ramp
Editing and content development: Alex Stone and Jan Ramp
Layout and design work: Jan Ramp, Charlie Brown, Mike Codling, Vibeke Brethouwer
Photography: Jackie O’Brien, Jan Ramp, Auckland Council
With thanks to the Waiheke Local Board and Ngati Paoa for on-going support for this project.