Rob G reenaway & Associates
Genesis Energy Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal
Recreation and Tourism Effects Assessment
July 2011 www.greenaway.co.nz Genesis Energy Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal
Recreation and Tourism Assessment of Effects
Contents
List of Figures ...... 2 List of Tables ...... 2
1 Summary ...... 4 1.1 Report structure ...... 4 1.2 Summary of recreation and tourism values ...... 4 1.3 Summary of effects ...... 6 1.4 Future tourism options ...... 8
2 Introduction ...... 9 2.1 Definitions and scope ...... 10 2.2 Aims ...... 10 2.3 Method ...... 10 2.4 Study area ...... 11 2.5 Administrative boundaries ...... 12
3 Description of recreation and tourism setting ...... 13 3.1 Regional and district tourism patterns ...... 13 3.2 Reserves and conservation areas ...... 13 3.3 Angling ...... 14 3.4 Towns and settlements ...... 14 3.5 Recreation and tourism activities ...... 14 3.6 Significance of recreation and tourism setting ...... 16
4 Effects of wind farms on recreation and tourism ...... 17
5 Effects of the proposal and mitigations ...... 19 5.1 Construction ...... 19 5.2 Operation ...... 20 5.3 Future tourism options ...... 21 5.4 Summary of effects ...... 21
6 References ...... 22
1 Appendix 1: Regional tourism patterns ...... 24 1.1 Domestic and international tourism flows ...... 24 1.2 Commercial Accommodation Monitor ...... 25 1.3 Tourism in the Wairarapa ...... 27 1.4 Tourism in Tararua District ...... 32 1.5 Angling opportunities ...... 33 1.6 Route 52 ...... 34
2 Appendix 2: Reserves and Conservation areas ...... 36 2.1 Department of Conservation reserves ...... 41
3 Appendix 3: Towns and settlements ...... 46 3.1 Alfredton ...... 47 3.2 Tiraumea ...... 47 3.3 Makuri ...... 48 3.4 Pongaroa ...... 49 3.5 Bideford ...... 50 3.6 Tinui ...... 50
4 Appendix 4: International research on wind farms, tourism and recreation ...... 53 4.1 United Kingdom ...... 53 4.2 Spain ...... 60 4.3 Australia ...... 60 4.4 New Zealand ...... 63 4.5 United States ...... 69
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 1 Rob Greenaway & Associates 5 Appendix 5: Wairarapa Rally circuit map ...... 71
6 Appendix 6: Mokiri Bush access easement ...... 72
7 Appendix 7: On-line literature search by location and activity ...... 75
List of Figures
Figure 1: Location ...... 5 Figure 2: Identified visitor settings ...... 7 Figure 3: Study area for recreation and tourism ...... 11 Figure 4: Administrative boundaries ...... 12 Figure 5: Identified visitor settings ...... 15 Figure 6: How supportive are you of the following energy sources/technologies to generate electricity for New Zealand? ...... 17 Figure 7: Wairarapa Rally routes where upgrading is proposed for oversize traffic ...... 19 Figure 8: Lower North Island road flows by all travellers in 2005. Source: NZTSG 2007 ...... 25 Figure 9: Occupation trends for commercial accommodation 2000 - 2009 ...... 26 Figure 10: Route 52 (yellow) ...... 34 Figure 11: Location of Rewanui conservation block ...... 38 Figure 12: DOC and TDC Reserves near CHWF, northern ...... 39 Figure 13: DOC and TDC Reserves near CHWF, southern ...... 40 Figure 14: Population centres reviewed with 5km CHWF boundary shown ...... 46 Figure 15: Alfredton ...... 47 Figure 16: Tiraumea ...... 47 Figure 17: Makuri - Topo50 showing reserves, and aerial photo of the same area ...... 48 Figure 18: Pongaroa ...... 49 Figure 19: Bideford Hall ...... 50 Figure 20: Tinui ...... 50 Figure 21: Meshblocks and communities with population data from 2006 Census ...... 52 Figure 22: How supportive are you of the following energy sources/technologies to generate electricity for New Zealand? ...... 64 Figure 23: Public opinion on electricity generation from wind 2004 & 2009 ...... 64 Figure 24: Responses to the question: How supportive are you of ...? ...... 65 Figure 25: Monthly guest nights, Manawatu RTO and New Zealand, Jan 2000 – Oct 2010 ...... 66
List of Tables
Table 1: Location key to Figure 2 ...... 7 Table 2: Location key to Figure 5 ...... 15 Table 3: Number of large accommodation providers by district, Jan 2010. Source: CAM ...... 26 Table 4: Wairarapa District visitor activities. Percent of respondents carrying out each activity ...... 27 Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa ...... 28 Table 6: Traffic volumes. Source Traffic Design Group (2011) ...... 35 Table 7: Department of Conservation-administered public lands ...... 36 Table 8: Tararua District Council administered reserves ...... 36
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 2 Rob Greenaway & Associates Project terminology and glossary
AEE Assessment of Environmental Effects
CHWF Castle Hill Wind Farm
Owners of the land on which the wind farm will be built. CHWF CHWF Landowners Landowners have signed agreements with Genesis Energy.
CHWF Site or Site The area of land defined by the land titles covered by agreements
Construction Traffic External roads used for non-OW/OD construction traffic Routes
Genesis Energy Genesis Power Limited
Area around the wind farm where effects on recreation and tourism values are possible, including the external roading network and areas Study Area from where the wind farm may be visible – generally within 15km of the turbine corridor.
Turbine Clusters Grouping of turbines for ease of reference.
Turbine Corridor The area of the CHWF Site in which wind turbines can be located.
Medium Turbines Turbines that have a maximum tip height of 135m.
Turbines that have a maximum tip height greater than 135m but no Large Turbines greater than 155m.
Medium Turbine Any turbine layout that consists only of Medium Turbines with a Configuration maximum quantity of 286 turbines.
Large Turbine Any turbine layout that consists only of Large Turbines with a maximum Configuration quantity of 242 turbines.
Any turbine configuration that consists of a mixture of Large Turbines Mixed Turbine and Medium Turbines with a maximum quantity of turbines limited by the Configuration proportion of Medium and Large Turbines. Turbine layouts that have been created to represent the range of possible layouts: 80M – Medium Turbines consisting of 286 Medium Turbines based on a turbine with an 80m rotor diameter. Indicative Turbine 90M – Medium Turbines consisting of 262 Medium Turbines Layouts based on a turbine with a 90m rotor diameter. 100L – Large Turbines consisting of 242 Large Turbines based on a turbine with a 100m rotor diameter. 110L – Large Turbines consisting of 186 Large Turbines based on a turbine with a 110m rotor diameter.
Internal Roads Roads that will be constructed within the CHWF Site for transporting wind farm components and materials within the Site and to allow access around the Site for construction and operational activities. Public roads near the Site that are planned to be used for traffic associated with the construction and operation of the CHWF and External Roads including roads used by NZTA defined over-weight and over-dimension vehicles This is the transport route for all NZTA defined over-weight and over- OW/OD Route dimension vehicles.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 3 Rob Greenaway & Associates 1 Summary
This report describes the potential tourism and recreation effects of a wind farm proposed by Genesis Energy for an area centred on Castle Hill in the Masterton and Tararua Districts – the Castle Hill Wind Farm (CHWF). The project site spans almost 30 private cattle and sheep farms (Figure 1) and could include up to 286 turbines, depending on the size of the turbines used.
1.1 Report structure
This report provides: A summary of all key findings (this Section 1). A description of the scheme proposal and the scope, aims, study area and method of this study (Section 2) A summary of the recreation and tourism activities identified in the study area (Section 3). A summary of international and national research relating to the effects of wind farms on recreation and tourism (Section 4). A review of the effects of the proposal on recreation and tourism values (Section 5). Appendices that provide background data for a complete understanding of the issues raised in the main body of the report. Specifically: A review of regional tourism patterns in the Masterton and Tararua Districts (Appendix 1) The identification of reserves and conservation areas in the study area (Appendix 2) A review of the towns and settlements in the study area (Appendix 3) A review of national and international literature in relation to the effects of wind farms on recreation and tourism (Appendix 4) A summary of on-line references to recreation and tourism in the study area (Appendix 7)
1.2 Summary of recreation and tourism values
Tourism and recreation settings in the study area (a 15km radius from the turbine corridor, see Figure 2) are generally small-scale, and are often a diversification of farming activities (such as on-farm backpackers, gardens and motorcycle tours). Castlepoint is the most significant visitor setting in the study area, with Tinui benefiting from the associated traffic. Route 52 has limited presence as a tourism route but has appeal as a back-road motorcycle, driving and cycling opportunity. Several, largely unsealed, roads in the area are used annually for the Wairarapa Rally (Appendix 5). With the exception of Castlepoint, the study area is a relatively low use setting in relation to recreation and tourism, with few operations established as destinations in themselves (see Figure 2 for locations). The latter include Costa Plenty 4X4 Park, the Herdword equestrian centre and Tinui Station Country Estate. While the rural backdrop to, for example, Route 52, is clearly an important component of the visitor experience, there is no landscape setting which serves as a visitor attraction in itself (again, with the exception of Castlepoint). Mount Maunsell (also known as Tinui Taipos) near Tinui has some cultural significance which may include a recreation component. However, Mount Maunsell, as well as Mangatiti Falls (a scenic waterfall), is on private land and does not constitute a public recreation setting (there is no enduring surety of access).
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 4 Rob Greenaway & Associates Legend NAPIER HASTINGS " CHWF Site "
PalmerstonCouncil North Boundary City "WANGANUI
"PALMERSTON NORTH
Pahiatua "MASTERTON
Makuri Manawatu-Wanganui Region Tararua District Pongaroa
Tiraumea Eketahuna
Alfredton
Mauriceville
Mataikona
Masterton District Wellington Region Bideford
Tinui
Castlepoint
048122 W-CHL-GE-001 Kms
Figure 1: Location Map
Reserves in the study area include settings with natural values, specifically Mokiri, Tauweru, Makuri and Puketoi. Mokiri and Tauweru have very limited recreation access options. Puketoi is a locally important pig and deer hunting area. The Makuri Gorge and River have visitor values resulting from local scenic qualities and angling opportunities. Reserves within the small settlements in the study area have locally important sport, camping and recreation values. Although distant from the CHWF, Castlepoint has regional recreation and tourism values, and arguably national values. Otherwise, there is insufficient development in the remainder of the study area to support a description of it as an important tourism or recreation destination beyond the regional or local levels.
1.3 Summary of effects
International research into the effects of wind farms indicates that they have little adverse effect on tourism and recreation activity. This outcome results from the fact that wind farms are rarely built in areas with high tourism profiles, and that there is a mix of personal responses to wind farm developments. The majority of respondents to relevant surveys consider that wind farms have no effect on their activities. However, all primary research into the effects of wind farms on recreation and tourism cited in this report describe a portion of respondents who state that wind farm development would have an adverse effect on their likelihood of returning to a visitor setting. A portion of respondents state that wind farms are an attraction, although no data has been located in preparing this assessment to support the finding that people will visit a region specifically because of wind farms. Rather, wind farms are something to visit while already in a visitor setting. The portion of respondents who do not like wind farms and who state that farms would reduce the likelihood of visiting a destination may therefore represent a potential net loss to tourism. None of the studies cited have reported an actual loss in tourism activity, and the final conclusions are that wind farm developments have negligible effects on tourism and recreation. However, the caveat is that wind farms are generally not built in popular visitor areas where tourism is fully dependent on landscape values. Effects of the operation of the proposed wind farm on recreation and tourism will relate to the visibility and audibility of the turbines. There is little tourism or recreation activity in the area which defines itself by the landscape setting of Castle Hill, although the landscape in general adds to the visitor experience. There are no data to suggest that the changes reviewed in the landscape assessment (Boffa Miskell 2011) for the proposal would lead to notable changes in regional tourism and recreation participation levels. Construction effects will largely relate to the presence of construction traffic on local roads during the construction period. Traffic Design Group (2011) indicate the use of parts of Route 52, Castle Hill Road, Alfredton Road and Mangaone Valley Road as OverVweight and OverVdimension Routes for turbine components. The need to manage construction traffic effects for private vehicles generally will apply equally to tourism and recreation traffic. Importantly, the Masterton Castlepoint Road is not affected by over-dimension vehicles. Liaison with the Wairarapa Rally has been carried out by Genesis Energy. There may be some post-construction effects on rallying – reducing driving challenge – as a result of the roading improvements required for over-dimension loads. At the regional level, the CHWF, once operational, is likely to have no measurable effect on recreation or tourism activity. The potential exists to provide some tourism benefit by better marketing Route 52 as a travelling route, using the wind farm as an attraction. The degree of effort necessary to achieve this should reflect the degree of community interest in the opportunity to increase local visitor traffic.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 6 Rob Greenaway & Associates
Key
X Visitor setting B Route 52 A 15km buffer from Turbine Corridor C D 5km buffer Turbine Corridor
CHWF site G E H F I J K L M
N O
P
Q R T S U V
Figure 2: Identified visitor settings
Table 1: Location key to Figure 2 A Route 52 L Glenross Backpackers B Coonoor Farmstay M Track and Trail Adventures C Kanuka Wilderness Hunting N Alfredton Golf Course D Howbeg Gardens O Knuckle Bone Backpackers E Herdword equestrian centre P Mokiri Bush – restricted public access option F Pongaroa settlement – visitor setting Q Dursley Garden G Makuri Domain and River (angling) R Tinui Station Country Estate H Costa Plenty 4x4 Park S Tinui settlement – visitor setting I Otapawa Backpackers and Garden T March Hare Cycling J Mangatiti Falls walk – private land U Rewanui Forest Park K Torara Hills garden V Castlepoint
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 7 Rob Greenaway & Associates
1.4 Future tourism options
Research reviewed for this study shows that wind farms can, and do, operate as visitor attractions. The presence of the CHWF will add another dimension to the Route 52 visitor experience if effective marketing is carried out. As stated in Boffa Miskell (2011), the proposed CHWF will not dominate the landscape along Route 52 but will be visible at times from various points and to various degrees. This means that while the CHWF is very unlikely to diminish visitor activity in the area due to its low level of effect on specific visitor settings and low level of current activity, it has the potential to increase visitor traffic on Route 52 by diverting travellers off SH2. No comprehensive or targeted promotion of Route 52 as a visitor destination was encountered during the research for this study. The CHWF will create a point of interest along the Route. A comprehensive visitor guide to Route 52, detailing all points of interest, accommodation and viewing areas could be developed if there was community interest. Additional promotion via visitor information signage on SH2 would assist. A web-based information service for the Route would be a cost-effective promotion tool. Again, the amount of investment in such promotion should relate to the degree of interest of the local community in further developing the area as a visitor destination.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 8 Rob Greenaway & Associates
2 Introduction
Genesis Energy is seeking the necessary resource consents to construct and operate a wind farm in northern Wairarapa, known as the Castle Hill Wind Farm (hereafter referred to as “CHWF”). Genesis Energy has commissioned Rob Greenaway & Associates to undertake a recreation and tourism effects assessment to inform the Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) and various resource consent applications for the CHWF. The CHWF Site (incorporating land where Genesis Energy has agreements for investigation and development of the wind farm) is located 20km east of Eketahuna and Pahiatua, 20km north-east of Masterton and 15km west of the Wairarapa Coast north of Castlepoint (Figure 1). The CHWF Site covers an area of approximately 30,000ha. The CHWF Site is characterised by undulating hills of predominantly pastoral grass, with grazing by sheep and cattle. Stands of native vegetation are located throughout the site, particularly in gullies, with several small forestry blocks scattered across the site. The topography is varied, with elevation ranging from 200m to 500m above sea level. The CHWF Site is located in a remote area that is sparsely populated. The closest settlements are Pongaroa, Tiraumea, Makuri, Mauriceville, Alfredton, Bideford and Tinui. These settlements have populations of less than 100, with the exception of Alfredton which has a population of 108, and Pongaroa which has a population of 154. Masterton (population 18,000), Pahiatua (population 2,600) and Eketahuna (population 460) are the larger townships located within 30kms of the CHWF Site1 (Figure 2). Key components and features of the CHWF project include: A Turbine Corridor: 3,144ha identified as suitable for turbine placement. Turbines will be located within this corridor. (Figure 1). Turbine Configurations: up to 286 Medium Turbines (maximum tip height 135m) or up to 242 Large Turbines (maximum tip height greater than 135m but no greater than 155m) or a mixture of Medium and Large Turbines installed within the Turbine Corridor. Electrical Balance of Plant (EBoP): All electrical structures and equipment related to the collection and reticulation of electrical power around CHWF to the point of connection to the External Transmission Line. Plant includes an Internal Transmission Line, 33kV overhead lines, 33kV underground cables, a Main Substation and Satellite Substation and an optional Switching Station along with other associated electrical equipment. Monitoring masts: up to 16 monitoring masts to collect on-going meteorological information during the operational life of the CHWF. Internal Roads: roads constructed within the CHWF Site for transporting wind farm components and materials within Site and to allow access around the Site for construction and operational activities. External Roads: Public roads near the Site that are planned to be used for traffic associated with the construction and operation of the CHWF and including roads used by NZTA defined over-weight and over-dimension vehicles (OW/OD Vehicles). Earthworks associated with the construction and maintenance of the CHWF. Temporary construction infrastructure: components required for construction of the CHWF including Concrete Batching Plants, Central Laydown Areas, Excess Fill Areas, Contractor Compound, quarrying and crushing facilities and water storage and abstraction facilities.
1 Statistics NZ 2006 Census
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 9 Rob Greenaway & Associates Operations infrastructure e.g. operations and maintenance buildings. The generation capacity of the CHWF is in the order of 600MW. The maximum capacity will be dependent on the type of turbine eventually selected for the site but current site and wind turbine analysis indicates a potential capacity of up to 860MW. Development of the CHWF may progress in stages, with any first stage being in the order of 300MW. This capacity depends on the wind turbine model selected, but will also depend on other commercial and technical factors.
2.1 Definitions and scope
This report deals with recreation and tourism values that may be affected by the development of the CHWF. Recreation is loosely defined as activities pursued for pleasure during free time. Tourism is a subset of recreation. A tourist is a person staying away from home for at least one night while undertaking recreation. It is very hard to tell the difference between a tourist and a recreational visitor within a recreation setting – they do the same things. A Kiwi family camping by a river might not consider themselves to be tourists, but by definition they are the same as an Australian visitor staying in the same location, although the Australian may have a different expenditure pattern including international air travel. Locally, their social, economic and environmental impacts will be very similar. This study does not consider personal recreation undertaken on one’s own property. This could include watching television while glancing out the window at the view, or hunting on a private farm. Effects of a development proposal on such personal and local values are considered to be covered by, for example, landscape assessments, albeit at a generic level. How an individual responds during their recreation time to a development when experienced from their own property is personal and specific and is not covered in this report. Effects of the proposal on public recreation spaces are more general. Visitors have more options as to where and how they visit, and the effects of change are more broad; relating to tourism flows, general levels of satisfaction and expenditure patterns.
2.2 Aims
This assessment aims to review the potential adverse and positive effects of the CHWF, identify and assess the adverse and positive effects of Genesis Energy’s proposed CHWF on recreation and tourism values (construction and operation), and identify the potential for mitigating any adverse effects.
2.3 Method
This study is based on: A comprehensive literature review including relevant recreation studies, national and regional policy documents and strategies, popular recreation and tourism guides (index searched for listings of the study area or potentially relevant locations), internet resources and international wind farm case studies and research reports, Consultation within the community (several open days were held locally and are reported on in the AEE report. There were no reference to issues relating to tourism or recreation), Site visits to the study area and other regional recreation settings, The review of project designs and associated technical reports (such as noise, landscape, traffic and construction), and communication with their authors.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 10 Rob Greenaway & Associates 2.4 Study area
The landscape assessment of Boffa Miskell (2011) states that from within 5km of a nearby turbine, potential visibility from rural dwellings could be ‘significant’, where they are visible. At a separation of 10km the landscape assessment describes views of turbines as ‘distant’. This assessment uses a 15km boundary to define the study area, including 10km and lesser views of the wind farm (Figure 3). However, the objective here is not to identify the scale of visibility from publically accessible recreation and tourism settings, but to describe the type and scale of tourism and recreation activity in those settings, and the degree to which the construction and operation of the CHWF is likely to have an effect on tourism and recreation values. The assessment of construction effects considers the effects of construction traffic or other activities on any relevant recreation or tourism activity. The routes proposed to be used for over-weight or over-dimension construction vehicles are shown in Figure 3 (Traffic Design Group (2011) describes where and how it will be necessary to upgrade these to allow the passage of large loads).
Figure 3: Study area for recreation and tourism
Key 15km from Turbine Corridor 5km from Turbine Corridor CHWF Site
10 km
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 11 Rob Greenaway & Associates 2.5 Administrative boundaries
The CHWF study area for recreation and tourism lies across several administrative boundaries. Figure 4 shows the regional, local and regional tourism organisation boundaries in the lower North Island. The CHWF crosses the Wellington and Manawatu-Wellington Regions, the Masterton and Tararua Districts and the areas serviced by Destination Wairarapa and Destination Manawatu – the regional tourism organisations (RTOs). However, although the Manawatu RTO area, as defined by the Ministry of Economic Development, includes the districts of Manawatu, Rangitikei, Tararua and the city of Palmerston North, the organisation (‘Destination Manawatu’) only promotes its two financial-member districts – Manawatu and Palmerston North.
Figure 4: Administrative boundaries Key Regional boundary Manawatu-Wanganui Region Local boundary Manawatu Regional Manawatu District Tourism Organisation boundary Wairarapa Regional Manawatu RTO Tourism Organisation Palmerston boundary North City CHWF 5km boundary Tararua District
Masterton District Wairarapa RTO
Wellington Region
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 12 Rob Greenaway & Associates
3 Description of recreation and tourism setting
This report relies on the review of data which identifies what is not affected by the CHWF proposal at the regional level, as much as it describes values which may be affected. For this reason, much of the data feature in the report appendices. This section gives a brief overview of the key findings of each area of review. Referencing for all data discussed in this summary are presented in the relevant appendices. The section concludes with a map detailing the key recreation settings and tourism services of interest to this study.
3.1 Regional and district tourism patterns
A full discussion of regional tourism patterns for the Tararua and Masterton Districts is in included in Appendix 1. The main tourism and recreation routes identified by the Ministry of Economic Development’s New Zealand Tourism Strategy Group (NZTSG, 2011) within the two districts for international visitors, overnight domestic travellers and domestic day visitors are SH2 and SH53. Route 52 and other roads fall below the data thresholds for description by the NZTSG: Domestic day travellers: 4,000 travellers on each road section annually Domestic overnight travellers: 1,000 travellers on each road section annually International travellers: 1,000 travellers on each road section annually There were 15 ‘large commercial accommodation providers’2 in the Masterton District and 19 in the Tararua District in January 2010 (with 682 and 328 daily bed capacity respectively). Statistics New Zealand provides a monthly monitor of trends in capacity and levels of occupation for these providers via the Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM). The national trend has been for a slow increase in guest nights, with a recent drop coincident with the international recession. Masterton District has not recovered from a dip in guest nights in 2003 and shows a general decline in guest nights (128,000 guest nights in 2009 down from a high of 154,000 in 2002). The Tararua District has remained stable at a relatively low level of activity (28,000 guest nights in 2009). The Tararua District contributed 0.11% of national guest nights in 2009, and Masterton 0.51%. Tararua has low occupancy levels at a peak of 14% in January 2010. Masterton District, peaked at 32%, which is closer to the national average (January occupancy of 49%). The closest large accommodation provider to the CHWF is likely to be based in Masterton (results provided in the CAM are anonymous and specific only at the regional level). Tararua District is a low-key tourism destination. Masterton District has a higher profile, but activities are focused around the townships on SH2 and SH53.
3.2 Reserves and conservation areas
The three major Department of Conservation Reserves within 5kms of the CHWF corridor are: Puketoi Stewardship Area – public access, predominantly for hunting; Mokiri Bush Scenic Reserve – public access via access easement across private land by landowner agreement only; Tauweru Conservation Area – no practical public access.
2 Establishments registered for GST and with a turnover of a least NZ$30,000 per annum.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 13 Rob Greenaway & Associates Other small conservation areas are located further from the CHWF Site, but none is an important recreation destination, besides the Castlepoint Stewardship and Scenic Reserves located approximately 15kms from the Turbine Corridor. Within the Tararua District, eight reserves are located within 15kms of the CHWF corridor. These include a cemetery, domains and other recreation reserves. Two golf courses are provided. A private conservation block on Masterton-Castlepoint Road – Rewanui – is owned and administered by the Montfort Trimble Foundation. Rewanui is located approximately 20kms east of Masterton and more than 10kms SSE of the CHWF turbine corridor. The Masterton District Council (MDC) District Plan shows no reserves near the CHWF; the closest being urban reserves in Masterton. The MDC holds, however, various blocks of land in fee simple which are used for recreation purposes, such as that upon which the Tinui Community Hall is built. Appendix 2 provides maps for all reserves located.
3.3 Angling
The rivers in the study area drain to the east coast (Akitio, Owahanga and Mataikona Rivers) or into the catchments of the Manawatu and Ruamahanga Rivers. The east coast rivers do not feature as angling rivers in the national angler surveys (Unwin 2009). Within the Ruamahanga catchment, one angling river comes within 15km of the CHWF corridor – the Tauweru River, which passes by Bideford. This had 300 angler days (±150) in 2007/08. Kent (2006) notes that, “only the slow-flowing lower 3km of this small river [south of Masterton] are worth exploring as the middle and upper reaches are willow infested.” Within the Manawatu River catchment, two rivers are of interest: the Makuri River, which passes through Makuri, and the Tiraumea River, which passes Alfredton. The Tiraumea was reported to have had 40 angler days (±40) in 2007/08 in Unwin (2009). Kent (2007) recommends, “neither the Tiraumea nor the Mangaone rivers east of Pahiatua are recommended. The Tiraumea is slow, sluggish and channelled. Near Kohinui [10ksm SE of Woodville] there is a section of river where cruising trout can be spotted but access is not easy.” The Makuri River is a reasonably popular angling destination with approximately 590 angler days in the 2007/08 season (±250) (Unwin 2009). Kent (2006) states that the Makuri River is, “highly rated by fly anglers and heavily fished in the region of the Makuri settlement.”
3.4 Towns and settlements
Appendix 3 provides a description of the main settlements within 15kms of the CHWF corridor. These are Makuri, Pongaroa, Tiraumea, Alfredton, Bideford and Tinui. Tinui, on the Masterton-Castlepoint Road, has the strongest presence of visitor-focused development, while Pongaroa provides a service point along Route 52. Various small service providers – accommodation mostly, and some gardens – are scattered throughout the study area and are identified in the following section.
3.5 Recreation and tourism activities
Figure 5 and Table 2 locate the recreation and tourism settings identified in and around the study area. These include private service providers (such as backpackers), settings with a more broad set of visitor attractions (such as Tinui, Route 52 and Pongaroa) and locations that, although on private land, have recreation values (such as Mangatiti Falls). Tourism and recreation settings in the study area are generally small-scale, and are often diversification of farming activities (such as on-farm backpackers, gardens and motorcycle
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 14 Rob Greenaway & Associates Key
X Visitor setting B Route 52 A 15km buffer from Turbine Corridor C D 5km buffer Turbine Corridor
CHWF site G E H F I J K L M
N O
P
Q R T S U V
Figure 5: Identified visitor settings
Table 2: Location key to Figure 5 A Route 52 L Glenross Backpackers B Coonoor Farmstay M Track and Trail Adventures C Kanuka Wilderness Hunting N Alfredton Golf Course D Howbeg Gardens O Knuckle Bone Backpackers E Herdword equestrian centre P Mokiri Bush – restricted public access option F Pongaroa settlement – visitor setting Q Dursley Garden G Makuri Domain and River (angling) R Tinui Station Country Estate H Costa Plenty 4x4 Park S Tinui settlement – visitor setting I Otapawa Backpackers and Garden T March Hare Cycling J Mangatiti Falls walk – private land U Rewanui Forest Park K Torara Hills garden V Castlepoint tours). Castlepoint is the most significant visitor setting in the study area, with Tinui benefiting from the associated traffic. Route 52 has limited presence as a tourism route but has appeal as a back-road motorcycle, driving and cycling opportunity. With the exception of Castlepoint, the study area is essentially ‘off the beaten track’ in relation to recreation and tourism, with few operations established as
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 15 Rob Greenaway & Associates destinations in themselves. The latter include the Costa Plenty 4X4 Park, the Herdword equestrian centre and Tinui Station Country Estate. Several, largely unsealed, roads in the area are used annually for the Wairarapa Rally (Appendix 5). Few settings are associated with any specific landscape feature, except Castlepoint. While the rural backdrop to, for example, Route 52, will clearly be an important component of the visitor experience, there is no landscape setting which serves as a visitor attraction in itself. Mount Maunsell (also called Tinui Taipos) near Tinui has cultural significance, as an ANZAC memorial site, which may include a recreation component – although Maunsell, as well as Mangatiti Falls, is on private land and does not constitute a public recreation setting (there is no enduring surety of access). Reserves in the area include settings with natural values, specifically Mokiri, Tauweru, Makuri and Puketoi. Mokiri and Tauweru have very limited recreation access options. Puketoi is a locally important pig and deer hunting area. The Makuri Gorge and River have visitor values resulting from local scenic qualities and angling opportunities. Reserves within the small settlements in the study area have locally important sport, camping and recreation values. Walking has been identified as an important recreation and tourism activity in the Wairarapa and Tararua Districts, but there are very few public walks in the study area, including only the bush walks near Pongaroa and within Rewanui Forest Park, neither of which affords views of the wind farm. Growth in tourism and recreation in the area will most likely track population growth, unless a concerted effort is made to better coordinate marketing of Route 52 as a travel route and to develop visitor attractions along the way. Limits to growth include a small local population, affecting the important ‘visiting friends and relations’ tourism market, limited natural attractions – with the likes of Mangatiti Falls on private land – and distance from the large domestic centres of population.
3.6 Significance of recreation and tourism setting
While Castlepoint has regional recreation and tourism values, and arguably national values, there is insufficient development in the remainder of the study area to support a description, at the broad level, of it as an important tourism or recreation destination beyond the regional or local level.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 16 Rob Greenaway & Associates 4 Effects of wind farms on recreation and tourism
Appendix 4 provides a comprehensive review of international literature about the effects of wind farm developments on recreation and tourism. This is a summary of the findings of that review. There is a segment of the tourism and recreation population who consider that wind farms have an adverse effect on their experience. However, there are no data which suggest that a wind farm will have notable negative effects on tourism and recreation activity generally, with the caveat that wind farms are not normally located in highly sensitive landscape settings where they would be likely to undermine an important recreation or tourism value. The data indicate that concerns are occasionally expressed by tourism operators and visitors about the effects of additional or ‘too much’ wind farm development. Longitudinal research suggests that support for wind farms generally increases post-construction, while the level of adverse perception decreases. While most respondents to relevant surveys state that wind farms do not affect their tourism choices, a notable minority have concerns. It is not possible to state that these concerns are translated into actions. Consequently, the conclusions of the studies indicate that there has been little if any adverse effect on tourism in the areas considered. That is not to say that all visitors enjoy or are not affected by the visibility of turbines – there is a minority of respondents to all the surveys quoted who would rather not see them at all. At a national level, there remains a very high level of support for wind farms generally. Recent data reported in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010) indicate that more than 81% of New Zealanders are ‘supportive’ or ‘very supportive’ of wind energy generally (Figure 6), and a similar proportion (80%) support wind farms in New Zealand (see Appendix 1). While this does not directly correlate with a positive or negative effect on recreation and tourism satisfaction or uptake, it does show that amongst the domestic market there is a high level of support for wind farms as elements of the national landscape and that they should not be considered purely as a negative addition to a recreation setting.
Figure 6: How supportive are you of the following energy sources/technologies to generate electricity for New Zealand? (n=756). EECA Consumer Monitor Public Opinion Survey Oct-Dec 2009 (Synovate) in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010)
Coal
Oil Very supportive Gas Supportive Neutral Wood energy Opposed Geothermal energy Very opposed Don't know enough Marine energy
Hydro energy
Wind energy
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
The conclusion of this assessment is that while wind farms have not been identified as a deterrent to tourism, there is the potential to diminish the quality of the experience of some
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 17 Rob Greenaway & Associates visitors. This may translate into a decision to not revisit a site if the adverse effects are significant. However, the scale of effect in gross tourism activity in a region is likely to be minimal if wind farm developments avoid areas with important scenic qualities or where the landscape is the primary focus of the visitor experience. Also, wind farms have the potential to enhance the visitor experience for some. Successful visitor developments have been associated with wind farms, and there is clear evidence that they can attract tourists and other recreational visitors. For example, the Whitelee Wind Farm near Glasgow had 120,000 visitors in 2010 (Appendix 4).
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 18 Rob Greenaway & Associates 5 Effects of the proposal and mitigations
This section considers the construction and operation effects of the CHWF proposal on the recreation and tourism activities and values which exist in the study area, and the findings of the national and international data on the effects of the wind farms on recreation and tourism.
5.1 Construction
5.1.1 Effects The key potential effects of construction on recreation and tourism relate to traffic movement and the effects of the road improvements required for transporting over-dimension loads – largely turbine components. Traffic Design Group (2011) identifies the preferred transport option for turbine components from the Port of Napier to Eketahuna via SH2, and then to several access points to private land via a number of local roads. These are shown in Figure 3. The key roads for recreation and tourism near the CHWF are Route 52 and the Masterton- Castlepoint Road. The latter would be used for general construction traffic but not over- dimension loads. Route 52 from Alfredton to Rakaunui would require upgrading to permit the passage of turbine components. The coincidence of tourist traffic and oversize vehicles in this setting is likely to reduce the quality of the visitor experience. Avoiding oversize vehicle movements during key domestic holiday traffic periods would diminish the potential for conflict. Figure 7 shows where roads used by the 2011 Wairarapa Rally are proposed to be upgraded to allow the passage of oversize vehicles (data in red and green relate to rally stages). This may reduce the level of challenge on these roads for rallying in the long-term. Genesis Energy contacted the event organiser in June 2011 who noted that the mid-part of Castle Hill Road could be changed to a high speed race section and overall that they had no concerns. While road development may reduce the challenge for rally traffic on some roads (although increasing speed will maintain the challenge), it will also improve safety levels for other road users, including recreational cyclists and motorcyclists. Pattle Delamore Partners (2011) has prepared an erosion and sediment control programme to control any effects on local waterways.
Figure 7: Wairarapa Rally routes where upgrading is proposed for oversize traffic. Yellow highlight and circled. Detail from Appendix 5
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 19 Rob Greenaway & Associates 5.1.2 Mitigations Avoiding turbine component movements for the weekends at either end of school holidays, and at the start and end of public holidays would limit the potential for adverse effects on recreation at the regional level. All visitor service providers identified in Figure 5 (page 15) will need to be advised of the construction traffic routes and times, with advice as to the preferred routes between regional centres and their operations, and encouraged to provide this information to clients.
5.2 Operation
5.2.1 Effects Effects on tourism and recreation from the CHWF will relate to the visibility and audibility of the turbines. No structures are proposed to be located on publicly accessible land. Traffic movements related to the operation of the wind farm will be slight. International research into the effects of wind farms indicates that they have little adverse effect on tourism and recreation activity. This outcome partly results from the fact that wind farms are rarely built in areas with high tourism profiles, and that there is a mix of personal responses to wind farm developments. The majority of respondents to relevant surveys consider that wind farms have no effect on their activities. Similar proportions consider them as an adverse or positive influence, although those who prefer to not see wind farms often outweigh those who like them. There are no data available to show that a dislike of wind farms has resulted in a reduction in tourism activity at relevant locations. Boffa Miskell (2011) has reviewed the visibility of turbines from the visitor settings identified in Figure 5. Two sites are located on properties whose owners are directly engaged in the wind farm project, and there are limited views gained from these. No other identified site or settlement has a view of any turbines, besides occasional views from along Route 52 and the potential for views from the summit of Mount Maunsell near Tinui, on private land. Visitors to Mokiri Bush are likely to view some turbines as they cross private land to reach the reserve, but as the reserve is bush-clad, views will be very limited from within it. The same applies to the Tauweru Conservation Area, but there is no realistic public access to this reserve. Puketoi Scenic Reserve is also largely bush-clad with limited external views. There are no sites from which the entire wind farm can be viewed, and, as discussed in Section 1.4, a lay-by on the Pahiatua Road has been identified as one location where a good view of the turbines could be gained. There is no tourism or recreation activity in the area which defines itself by the landscape setting of the Castle Hill area, although the rural setting in general is referred to as adding to the visitor experience (see Appendix 7). There are no data to suggest that the changes reviewed in the landscape assessment for the proposal (Boffa Miskell 2011) would lead to notable changes in regional tourism and recreation participation levels. Marshall Day (2011) identifies the degrees of audibility of the turbines. The 35dB and 40dB noise contours include some areas of public road, but no areas where visitors would pause. (The New Zealand Standard (NZS) 6808 criteria for noise sensitive locations is 40dB). Mokiri Bush and the Tauweru Conservation Area are within the 35 dB contour and although the turbines may be audible here in certain conditions, these reserves are managed for conservation rather than recreation purposes.
5.2.2 Mitigations Mitigations are not required in relation to audibility and visibility of turbines, from a recreation and tourism perspective. As no visitor site has been identified from where substantial views of turbines may be gained, local planting may be considered if a partial view eventuates and
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 20 Rob Greenaway & Associates is considered adverse. However, at the scale of effect identified, it is highly unlikely that this will be necessary.
5.3 Future tourism options
If there is an expectation or desire to grow tourism in area, based on the consultation carried out as part of the application process, additional tourism development based on the wind farm could be considered. Research reviewed for this study shows that wind farms can and do operate as visitor attractions, and the presence of the CHWF is very likely to add another dimension to the Route 52 visitor experience. As stated in Boffa Miskell (2011), the proposed CHWF will not dominate the landscape along Route 52 but will be visible at times from various points and to various degrees. This means that while the CHWF is very unlikely to diminish visitor activity in the area due to its low level of impact on specific visitor settings, it has the potential to increase visitor traffic. No comprehensive or targeted promotion of Route 52 as a visitor destination was encountered during the research for this study. The CHWF will create a point of interest along the Route. A comprehensive visitor guide to Route 52, detailing all points of interest, accommodation and viewing areas could be developed if there was community interest. Additional promotion via visitor information signage on SH2 would assist. A locally-managed web-based information service for the Route would be a cost-effective promotion tool. Again, the degree of investment in such promotion should relate to the degree of interest of the local community in further developing the area as a visitor destination. There are few locations from where a good view of the wind farm could be gained, besides glimpses from Route 52 and other local roads. Boffa Miskell (2011) has identified a location on the Pahiatua-Pongaroa Road (Viewpoint 14) from where up to 110 turbines may be seen, although many would be in the far distance. Providing information about this visitor activity would be sensible. It also coincides with a widened road shoulder.
5.4 Summary of effects
At the regional level, the CHWF, once operational is likely to have no measurable effect on recreation or tourism activity. There are no important visitor settings or tourism operations from where views of turbines are likely to have adverse effects. Construction traffic – particularly the movement of over-dimension loads – may disrupt tourism and holiday traffic, and management to limit these effects should form part of the traffic management plan. Road development to allow over-dimension loads may reduce the challenge for rally traffic on some roads, but may also improve safety levels for other recreational road users. The potential exists to provide tourism benefit by better marketing Route 52 as a travelling route, using the wind farm as an attraction. The degree of effort should reflect the degree of interest in the opportunity to increase local visitor traffic. Construction traffic has the potential to have temporary adverse effects on visitor traffic. No existing visitor site has been identified from where a comprehensive view of the turbines can be easily seen, besides glimpses from local roads. It is recommended that at least one viewing site be developed. A good opportunity exist the Pahiatua Road but other options may exist.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 21 Rob Greenaway & Associates 6 References
Aitchison, C. 2004. Evidence gathering of the impact of wind farms on visitor numbers and tourist experience. Geography Research Unit, University of West England for North Devin Wind Power. Boffa Miskell, 2011. Castle Hill Wind Farm Visual Assessment. Client report for Genesis Energy. British Wind Energy Association, 2006. The impact of wind farms on the tourist industry in the UK. Prepared by the British Wind Energy Association For the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Tourism. Department of Conservation, 1996. Wellington Conservation Management Strategy. Department of Conservation, Wellington. Donald, D. 2005. Footprint New Zealand. Footprint. Donald, D. 2009. Footprint New Zealand. Footprint. Eltham, D., Harrison, G.P., Allen, S.J. 2008. Change in public attitudes towards a Cornish wind farm: Implications for planning. Energy Policy 36 (2008) 23–33. FERMATA, 2005. Experiential tourism strategy for the Kansas Flint Hills. Kansas Division of Travel and Tourism Development. Topeka, Kansas. Glasgow Caledonian University. 2008. The economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish tourism. Report for the Scottish Government Insight Guides, 2004. Insight Guides New Zealand. APA Publications. Insight Guides, 2007. Insight Guides New Zealand. APA Publications. Kent, J.2006.North Island, Trout Fishing Guide. Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd. Lonely Planet, 2008. Lonely Planet Guide to New Zealand. Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet, 2010. Lonely Planet Guide to New Zealand. Lonely Planet. Marshall Day, 2011. Castle Hill Wind Farm Noise Effects Assessment. Client report for Genesis Energy. Ministry of Economic Development. Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM). http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/Data--Analysis/Accommodation/Commercial- Accommodation-Monitor/. Dec 2010 MORI, 2002. Tourist Attitudes towards Wind Farms. Research Study Conducted for Scottish Renewables Forum & the British Wind Energy Association New Zealand Conservation Authority, 2003. New Zealand’s Walkways. Department of Conservation, Wellington. New Zealand Tourism Strategy Group, 2007. The Tourism Flows Model Summary Document. NZTSG, Ministry of Economic Development New Zealand Tourism Strategy Group, 2010. Online: The Ministry of Economic Development tourism research website. TRCNZ, Wellington. http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/ NFO System Three, 2002. Investigations into the potential impact of wind farms on tourism in Scotland. VisitScotland. NFO System Three, 2003. Investigations into the potential impact of wind farms on tourism in Wales. Wales Tourist Board. Pattle Delamore Partners, 2011. Castle Hill Wind Farm Hydrology Technical Environmental Report. Client report for Genesis Energy. QA Research, 2005. Cumbria Tourist Board wind farm visitor impart research. Research completed for the Cumbria Tourist Board RBA Research, 2002. Lambrigg Wind Farm – Public Attitude Survey. Report prepared for National Wind Power Ltd.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 22 Rob Greenaway & Associates Star Consultants, 2003. A Study into the Attitudes of Visitors, Tourists and Tourism Organisations towards Wind Farms on the Boundaries of the Lake District National Park. Report for Friends of the Lake District. , Leeds Metropolitan University. Statistics New Zealand, 2011. Commercial Accommodation Monitor. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand. Stephenson, J. Ioannou, M. 2010. Social Acceptance of Renewable Electricity Developments in New Zealand. A report for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Otago Toke, D. 2005. Explaining wind power planning outcomes: Some findings from a study in England and Wales. Energy Policy 33 (2005) 1527–1539 Tourism Research Council, 2007. The Tourism Flows Model Summary Document. TRC, Ministry of Economic Development Tourism Research Council, 2010. On-line: The Ministry of Tourism research website. TRCNZ, Wellington. http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/ . Note, as of mid 2010 these data are no longer available on-line. Tourism Research Council, 2010a. On-line: The Ministry of Economic Development tourism research website. TRCNZ, Wellington. http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/ Tourism Research Council, 2011. On-line: The Ministry of Economic Development tourism research website. TRCNZ, Wellington. http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/ Tourism Resource Consultants, 2005. Project Westwind Recreation and Tourism Report . Client report for Meridian Energy. Traffic Design Group, 2011. Castle Hill Wind Farm Transportation Effects Assessment. Client report for Genesis Energy. UMR Research, 2007. Meridian Energy - Wind Farm Research. Research report for Meridian Energy. Unwin, M.J., Image, K. 2009. Angler usage of lake and river fisheries managed by Fish and Game New Zealand: results from the 20071/08 National Angling Survey. NIWA Christchurch.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 23 Rob Greenaway & Associates 1 Appendix 1: Regional tourism patterns
This appendix identifies land and activities managed or promoted by specific agencies for recreation or tourism purposes (such as territorial authorities and the Department of Conservation), and then reviews tourism and recreation activities at specific locations. The focus is on the study area identified in Figure 3. A summary of Web references is included as Appendix 7. Data are drawn from: Tourism Research Council databases, Regional tourism organisation promotional information (on-line and published), On-line references to tourism and recreation opportunities and operations, Popular published tourism guides, such as Lonely Planet, Site visits by the author of this report, and from feedback from other consultants, particularly Boffa Miskell Ltd.
1.1 Domestic and international tourism flows
The New Zealand Tourism Strategy Group (NZTSG, a division of the Ministry of Economic Development) has developed a Tourism Flows Model that identifies the air and road movements of domestic and international travellers within New Zealand.3 The data for international visitors is sourced from the NZTSG’s International Visitor Survey and the domestic data from a periodic household survey. Full-year data are available up to 2007 on-line. The NZTSG has published a summary of the 2005 data at a regional level, which is comparable to that for 2007. Figure 8 shows the results for the lower North Island. The minimum thresholds for each data subset for inclusion in the study results are: Domestic day travellers: 4,000 travellers on each road section Domestic overnight travellers: 1,000 travellers on each road section International travellers: 1,000 travellers on each road section Only State Highways 2 (Wellington to Woodville and north) and 53 (Featherston to Masterton), in the vicinity of the CHWF, exceed these thresholds. All roads east of SH2 are absent from the dataset due to low use. The text for the regional summary of tourism flows for the lower North Island is (NZTSG 2007): The heaviest tourism flows occur in and around Wellington, with secondary flows extending north up State Highway 1 as well as west to Wanganui and east to Palmerston North. Wellington day trippers generate almost 40% of the 7.9 million of tourism movements along the Kapiti Coast, with overnight travellers generating an additional 18%. The flows through the lower North Island are predominantly domestic, with international flows accounting for less than 7% of all flows through Dannevirke, 16% between Bulls and Levin and 9% between Paraparaumu and Wellington. The northern road flows get progressively smaller as the distance from Wellington increases, reflecting the fact that a significant proportion of tourism traffic in the lower North Island is generated by residents of the Wellington region.
3 http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/Data--Analysis/Analytical-Tools/Tourism-Flows-Model/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 24 Rob Greenaway & Associates Figure 8: Lower North Island road flows by all travellers in 2005. Source: NZTSG 2007
1.2 Commercial Accommodation Monitor
Statistics New Zealand reports the Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) monthly for each RTO and local authority (Statistics New Zealand, 2010). This illustrates trends in occupation of certain – generally larger – commercial accommodation4, the origins of accommodation users, employee levels and capacity. The survey is considered a ‘census’ (participation is compulsory) and is not based on a sample of accommodation providers. However, the survey does not have a 100% response rate and missing data are ‘imputed’ to provide a reasonable estimate of the total accommodation scene. It does not appear that any respondents are located within the study area for this assessment. Figure 9 shows the trends in annual guest nights for the Tararua and Masterton Districts between 2000 and 2009, compared with those for the whole of New Zealand. The national trend has been for a slow increase in guest nights, with a recent drop coincident with the 2008-09 international recession. Masterton District has not recovered from a dip in 2003 and shows a general decline in guest nights (128,000 guest nights in 2009). The Tararua District has remained stable at a relatively low level of activity (28,000 guest nights in 2009). The
4 Hotels (includes hotels and resorts), Motels (includes motor inns, motels and apartments), Hosted (includes private hotels, guest houses and B&Bs), Backpacker/hostels, Caravan parks/camping grounds. These establishments must be registered for GST and have a turnover of a least NZ$30,000 per annum. Therefore, small establishments that are not GST registered or earn below the threshold level are not included in the survey. A large proportion of these are hosted/B&Bs. Some establishments may also be overlooked if they are involved in the accommodation industry as a secondary commercial activity, for example, farm-stay tourist accommodation within the main farm business. Consequently there is under-coverage of small accommodation providers.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 25 Rob Greenaway & Associates Tararua District contributed 0.11% of national guest nights in 2009, and Masterton 0.51%.
Figure 9: Occupation trends for commercial accommodation 2000 - 2009 180 35
160 30
140 25 120
Tararua 20 100
Mas terton 80 15 NZ 60 10
40 New Zealand guest nights (millions)
5 20 Tararua and Masterton District guest nights (thousands) - - 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
Table 3 shows the number of large accommodation providers (those required to participate in the CAM) for each district in the Manawatu and Wairarapa RTO areas for January 2010. This month is the busiest for all districts, bar Palmerston North which shows a peak in March. Carterton and South Wairarapa are combined in the CAM. Palmerston North dominates the Manawatu RTO area for accommodation and peak occupation levels (53% in March, showing a stronger business focus). Both Tararua and Masterton Districts offer a similar number of establishments (19 and 15) but Masterton has almost double the number of beds (682 compared with 391) and double the January occupation levels (32% compared with 14%).
Table 3: Number of large accommodation providers by district, Jan 2010. Source: CAM District Establishments Beds % occupancy Jan Manawatu 15 393 21 Horowhenua 21 740 35 Palmerston Nth 55 1498 34 (53 in March) Tararua 19 391 14 Masterton 15 682 32 Carterton 22 691 29 South Wairarapa All New Zealand 3,360 4,438,860 49
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 26 Rob Greenaway & Associates 1.3 Tourism in the Wairarapa
Table 4 describes the tourism activities undertaken by domestic and international visitors to the Wairarapa RTO area (see Figure 4) as reported by the NZ Tourism Research Council from its International Visitor and Domestic Travel Surveys.5 Figures for any one activity can vary substantially by year due to small sample sizes (visitor counts less than 5,000 are subject to greater than ± 50% error). Consequently, the domestic data represent averages for the years 2000 to 2008 (the latest available), and for international visitors the data relate to results collated from 1997 to 2008. The Wairarapa data relate to activities throughout the District and cannot be related directly to visitor activities in the immediate vicinity of the proposed wind farm. The data are merely indicative of the important tourism activities in the District.
Table 4: Wairarapa District visitor activities. Percent of respondents carrying out each activity. Source: NZTSG 2010 Domestic visitors % International visitors % Activity Wairarapa NZ Wairarapa NZ Visiting friends and relatives 26 25 36 13 Dining 26 26 18 30 Shopping 16 18 13 24 None/nothing 10 11 13 9 Sightseeing (land) 10 11 25 42 Business 9 9 3 4 Walking and trekking 5 4 15 9 Entertainment 5 7 5 36 Other activities 5 5 3 3 Wineries 4 1 13 2 Other scenic/natural attractions 4 6 12 17 Swimming 3 4 4 2 Museums and galleries 3 2 2 9 Fishing 3 3 3 2 Other sports 2 2 2 1 Golf 2 2 2 1 Other water activities 2 1 <1 1 Farms 1 1 4 1 Other wildlife encounters 1 1 3 1 Arts and crafts 1 1 1 6 Gardens 1 <1 1 <1 Hunting/shooting 1 <1 1 2 Working holiday 1 1 1 3 Other attractions 1 <1 1 <1 Zoos/wildlife/marine parks 1 <1 1 1 Theme and leisure parks 1 1 <1 2
5 See: http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/. In mid-2010 the Tourism Research Council changed its research methodology and these data are no longer available on-line.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 27 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 4: Wairarapa District visitor activities. Percent of respondents carrying out each activity. Source: NZTSG 2010 Domestic visitors % International visitors % Activity Wairarapa NZ Wairarapa NZ Convention/conference 1 1 <1 <1 Cycle sports <1 1 1 1 Education/language school <1 1 1 1 Canoeing, kayaking, rafting <1 <1 1 2 Volcanic/geothermal attractions <1 2 1 7 Heritage attractions <1 <1 1 6 Horse trekking/riding <1 <1 1 1
Table 4 shows that international visitors have a greater likelihood of ‘visiting friends and relations’, walking and trekking and visiting wineries in the Wairarapa in comparison with the national average, and a lower interest in dining, shopping, entertainment and sightseeing (from the land). Domestic visitors have similar visitor patterns in the Wairarapa area as for the nation, with visiting friends and relatives, dining, shopping and sightseeing (land) the most popular. Based on these results, sightseeing and ‘other scenic/natural attractions’, are the main activities to consider when reviewing the effects of the CHWF proposal. There are no regionally important walking or trekking opportunities in the study area, and few shopping and dining opportunities. Tourism Wairarapa provides a list of ‘what to do and see’ in the region on its website6. Locations that are within the study area are shown in Figure 5. Table 5 lists all the activities identified and shows whether they are inside or outside the study area. Several transport- based activities – such as cycling and vehicle hire are underlined in the ‘outside’ study area column to indicate that patrons may chose to, for example, use Route 52.
Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa Locations within Activity and introductory text Locations outside study area study area Gardens Wairarapa is rapidly developing a Assisi Gardens, Gladstone Dursley Garden, reputation for distinctive gardens. Daysh House Garden, Carterton Bideford Inspiring gardens include Carterton’s grand Richmond Gardens, designated Hauiti Lavender, Martinborough a ‘Garden of International Significance’ Awaiti Gardens, Carterton and the highly original Assisi Garden.” Surfing The south Wairarapa coastline is home Tora to many quality surf breaks all within an White Rock hour’s drive from Martinborough Palliser Bay Lake Ferry Riversdale Castlepoint Wine & Food Martinborough made its name as a one Te Kairanga of the world’s premium pinot noir and Vynfields sauvignon blanc regions, though other top wines including chardonnay, Schubert Wines
6 http://www.wairarapanz.com/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 28 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa Locations within Activity and introductory text Locations outside study area study area riesling pinot gris, merlot and cabernet Tirohana Estate sauvignon are also produced here Ata Rangi Margrain Vineyard Martinborough Vineyard Ashwell Vineyard Cambridge Road Coney Wines Murdoch James Estate Hamden Estate Gladstone Vineyard Johner Estate Urlar Loopline Winery Paulownia Wines Tui Brewery Sea Fishing Fishing is amongst the region’s prime Legionnaire Fishing Charters – attractions. Check the calendar for Castlepoint Wairarapa’s annual sea-fishing Fish & Dive Charters – Riversdale competitions, or book a charter fishing trip with a local company. Wild Thing - Riversdale, Uriti Point Marco Polo Charters – Ngawi Cape Palliser Fishing & Dive Charters Ultracat "Encounter" Walking This is paradise for trampers and The Tora Coastal Walk (private) Rewanui Forest walkers - a network of tracks to suit all Patuna Farm’s Chasm Walkway Park fitness levels criss-crosses the valleys (private) and peaks of Wairarapa’s three forest parks. (See more at: www.doc.govt.nz ) Featherston Reserves Walkway The Rimutaka Incline Mt Holdsworth Fensham Reserve Carter Scenic Reserve Mikimiki – Kiriwhakapapa Henley Lake Mt Dick Lookout Ruamahanga Bridge Walk, Martinborough Palliser Vineyard Walk, Martinborough Rapaki Walk, Martinborough Waiohine Gorge Arts and Heritage Wairarapa specialises in small, Featherson Heritage Museum intriguing museums Masterton Pointon Collection (cars)
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 29 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa Locations within Activity and introductory text Locations outside study area study area Masterton George Hood Aerodrome Masterton, Aratoi, Wairarapa’s Museum of Art and History Carterton – three artists’ studios Adventure Ballooning NZ March Hare Cycling Wairarapa Quad Adventures Patuna Farm - Claybird Shooting Mountain Hunters Transportation With a Difference! Chasm Walkway - Patuna Farm Wairarapa Racing Club Patuna - Golf Cross Heavenly Adventures Patuna Farms - Pole to Pole Kahutara Canoes & Taxidermy Kahutara Canoes Tour Wairarapa Stonehenge Aotearoa Patuna - Horse Trekking Family Activities Patuna Farms - Pole to Pole Dursley Garden Martinborough Manner Stonehenge Aotearoa Chasm Walkway - Patuna Farm Fantail Grove Olive oil, hazelnuts & more tour and tasting Martinborough Bicycle Hire Puzzlewood The Wool Shed Patuna - Golf Cross Carterton Mountain Biking Track Regent 3 Cinemas Patuna - Horse Trekking Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre Bike Hire Martinborough Wairarapa Racing Club Wairarapa Farmers Market Tours and Transport Tui Brewery & Cafe March Hare Cycling Stonehenge Aotearoa Tour Wairarapa Stonehenge Aotearoa
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 30 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa Locations within Activity and introductory text Locations outside study area study area Zest Food Tours Gateway Limousines Tranzit - Grape & Grain Escape The Vintage Aviator Wairarapa Quad Adventures Tranzit Wairarapa Garden Gourmet Escape Paua World Cycle Tourismo Martinborough Bicycle Hire Tranzit - Gourmet Wine Escape Tours Made in Carterton Wairarapa Quad Adventures Ballooning NZ Tranz Metro Transportation With a Difference! Fantail Grove Olive oil, hazelnuts & more tour and tasting Shopping Paua World Thrive of Martinborough Tui Brewery & Cafe Big Mac Slabs - Macrocarpa Furniture Made in Carterton Fantail Grove Olive oil, hazelnuts & more tour and tasting Olivo Oil Wairarapa Farmers Market Schoc Chocolates Jeremy Bicknell Furniture Trelise Cooper Outlet Hauiti Lavender Farm Health and beauty Thrive of Martinborough Trelise Cooper Outlet Superb Touch Massage Turret House Cycling activities Click here for info on some great rides Cycle Tourismo March Hare Cycling which go off public roads in the Carterton Mountain Biking Track Wairarapa. There are a myriad of other rides on public roads which are enough Bike Hire Martinborough to satisfy all but the wildest of mountain Martinborough Bicycle Hire bikers and which provide fantastic scenery.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 31 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 5: See & Do activities listed by Destination Wairarapa Locations within Activity and introductory text Locations outside study area study area Flight activities Ballooning NZ The Vintage Aviator, Hood Aerodrome Wings Over Wairarapa Free and nearly free fun Visit Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park for Kids Climb up to the trig point at Rewanui Picnic at Fensham Reserve, near Forest Park Carterton Bike the new Carterton Mountain Bike Park Skateboarding at the Featherston skate park. Wairarapa Farmers Market, every Saturday morning Cape Palliser Bike the Rimutaka Incline Take the kids and the dog for a walk around Henley Lake Castlepoint Explore the Featherston Reserves Walkway Wind your way through the Wairarapa, following the Main ARTery art trail
Tourism activity in Wairarapa tends to be based around the main towns of the RTO area where shopping and wineries are a strong focus. Areas of interest in relation to the CHWF proposal include Castlepoint, Dursley Gardens near Bideford, Rewanui and the wineries around Masterton, although the latter are on the very margin of the study area and there is no visibility of turbines from in and around Masterton.
1.4 Tourism in Tararua District
There is no regional tourism organisation covering the Tararua District or all of the Manawatu Region. The Manawatu RTO area, as defined by the Ministry of Economic Development, includes the districts of Manawatu, Rangitikei, Tararua and the city of Palmerston North.7 The regional organisation itself (‘Destination Manawatu’) only promotes its two financial-member districts – Manawatu and Palmerston North.8 The Tararua District Council’s tourism website (www.tararua.com) suggests a range of activities and attractions in the region (relevant locations are shown in Figure 5): Many antiques and art and craft dealers and craftspeople, based mostly within the main centres of Eketahuna, Woodville, Pahiatua, Norsewood and Dannevirke. Family activities, including farm visits, many small museums, gardens, the Herdword equestrian centre in Pongaroa9 and wind farm visits. Herdword is the only establishment near the proposed CHWF.
7 See: http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/By-Region/North-Island/Manawatu-RTO/ 8 See: http://www.manawatunz.co.nz/about_us.html 9 http://www.herdword.co.nz/index.shtml
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 32 Rob Greenaway & Associates Gardens, including Howbeg north of Pongaroa, Otapawa Garden near Tiraumea (who also operate a farmstay and backpackers) and Torara Hills at Kohiku on Route 52 west of Pongaroa. Marae in Dannevirke, Pahiatua and Woodville. Adventure tourism, including Costa Plenty 4 x 4 Vehicle Park on the Puketoi Range ridge. Golf, including the Alfredton Golf Club. Walks and tramps, including Pongaroa Bush and a private walk at Mangatiti Falls (on the Owahanga River 5kms SSE of Pongaroa). The website suggests an hour-long walk in Makuri Gorge, but there are no tracks within the Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve (Tony Silbery, DOC, pers comm.). Tourism activity in Tararua tends to be small-scale and based around the main centres of Eketahuna, Woodville, Pahiatua, Norsewood and Dannevirke. Few attractions are based around natural features. Exceptions include the walks identified above.
1.5 Angling opportunities
The rivers in the study area drain to the east coast (Akitio, Owahanga and Mataikona Rivers) or into the catchments of the Manawatu and Ruamahanga Rivers. The east coast rivers do not feature as angling rivers in the national angler surveys (Unwin 2009). The Ruamahanga catchment supported 9230 angler days (±1080) in 2007/08, while the Manawatu catchment had 20,670 (±2010) (Unwin 2009). Within the Ruamahanga catchment, one angling river comes within 15km of the CHWF corridor – the Tauweru River, which passes by Bideford. This had 300 angler days (±150) in 2007/08. Kent (2007) notes that, “only the slow-flowing lower 3km of this small river [south of Masterton] are worth exploring as the middle and upper reaches are willow infested.” Within the Manawatu River catchment, two rivers are of interest: the Makuri River, which passes through Makuri, and the Tiraumea River, which passes Alfredton. The Tiraumea was reported to have had 40 angler days (±40) in 2007/08 in Unwin (2009). Kent (2007) states, “neither the Tiraumea nor the Mangaone rivers east of Pahiatua are recommended [for angling]. The Tiraumea is slow, sluggish and channelled. Near Kohinui [10ksm SE of Woodville] there is a section of river where cruising trout can be spotted but access is not easy.” The Makuri River is a reasonably popular angling destination with approximately 590 angler days in the 2007/08 season (±250) (Unwin 2009). Kent (2007) states that the Makuri River is “highly rated by fly anglers and heavily fished in the region of the Makuri settlement.”
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 33 Rob Greenaway & Associates 1.6 Route 52
Route 52, as a named road, runs from Dreyers Rock in the south (the intersection of Dreyers Rock Road and Whangaehu Road), to just north of Wimbledon (the intersection of Birch Road East and Wimbledon Road) (Figure 10). It is often referred to on-line (Appendix 7) as a travellers’ alternative to SH2 between Masterton and Dannevirke, adding approximately 50kms to the 100km option on SH2. It is also promoted as a tourist route to Akitio, Porangahau and Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronuku- pokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
Herbertville
Figure 10: Route 52 (yellow)
The main service town on Route 52 is Pongaroa, where fuel is available. Accommodation providers include backpackers at Glenross Lodge near Rakaunui, Otapawa Farmstay and Backpackers and Knuckle Bone Lodge, both near Tiraumea. These providers offer farm access to visitors. Nearby activity providers include the Costa Plenty 4X4 Park near the summit of the Pahiatua–Pongaroa Road, offering access to off-road 4WD trails on private land, as well as accommodation. Rental baches and lodges are available in Akitio and Herbertville. Limited other local holiday rental accommodation can be found via an on-line accommodation search, with only one on the Coast Road east of Pongaroa readily located.10 The on-line review (Appendix 7) identifies motorcycle touring as an important use of the Route. Cycling is also referred to. There is no coordinated promotional information available for the Route as a travellers’ attraction in itself. Traffic Design Group (2011) provide traffic count data for the roading network in the immediate area. Table 6 shows relevant data for Route 52 and connecting roads. Counts for Route 52, and other roads, are based on results for specific road sections, with average daily traffic (ADT) including 300 at Alfredton, 80 near Haunui Road and 65 further west. Roads in the area tend to have higher counts the closer they are to SH2. Te Ore-Ore Bideford Rd, for example, has high counts up to Whangaehu, but fewer than 200 vehicles per day toward Bideford (data sourced from Tararua and Masterton District Councils). High counts feature on roads with sections close to Masterton (Masterton-Castlepoint Rd, Te Ore-Ore Bideford Rd, Te Ore-Ore Rd).
10 For example: http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/for-rent/new-zealand/north-island/wellington-manawatu-wairarapa/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 34 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 6: Traffic volumes. Source Traffic Design Group (2011)
Traffic Volume Latest District Road Name Count Year Daily (vpd) Alfredton Rd 40 - 490 2009 Castle Hill Rd 40 - 150 2007 Daggs Rd 30 - 40 2005 Kaitawa Rd 320 - 550 2008 Tararua Mangahone Valley Rd 50 - 200 2010 Route 52 65 - 300 2010 Waihoki Valley Rd 10 - 30 2001 SH2 Dannevirke (annual average) 4000 2009 Wairiri Rd 15 - 50 2005 Maringi Rd 30 2005 Alfredton-Tinui Rd 20 2005 Manawa Rd 60 - 120 2006 Masterton Masterton-Castlepoint Rd 130 – 2000 2007 Te Ore-Ore Bideford Rd 120 - 7500 2006 Te Ore-Ore Rd 3000 - 7600 2006 Whangaehu Valley Rd 100 - 200 2004 SH2, Mount Bruce (annual average) 3000 2009
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 35 Rob Greenaway & Associates 2 Appendix 2: Reserves and Conservation areas
Table 7 and Table 8 list the major reserves administered by the Department of Conservation and the Tararua District Council near the CHWF. The former is sourced from the Wellington Conservancy Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) and the on-line DOC GIS extranet, and the latter from the TDC District Plan. The Masterton District Council District Plan shows no reserves near the CHWF; the closest being urban reserves in Masterton. The MDC does, however, hold blocks of land in fee simple which are used for recreation purposes, such as that upon which the Tinui Community Hall is built. A private conservation block on Masterton-Castlepoint Road – Rewanui – is owned and administered by the Montfort Trimble Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 2004 in accordance with the Masterton District Council (Montfort Trimble Foundation) Act 2003, and while not a council-controlled organisation, has several Board members appointed by Council. Rewanui is located approximately 20 kms east of Masterton and more than 10 kms SSE of the CHWF corridor (Figure 11). The intention, according to the Foundation website , is to develop the 334 ha property as a forest park and a trial site for native and exotic trees. A public carpark and recreational tracks are provided (Figure 11 insert). Section 8.1 of this appendix details all reserves described in the CMS near the CHWF. This excludes Mokiri Bush Scenic Reserve which was gazetted in 2009, after the CMS was published.
Table 7: Department of Conservation-administered public lands CMS Land Unit CMS recreation data T24530 Waewaepa Scenic Reserve T25018 Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve T25023 Tauweru Conservation Area T25020 Puketoi Stewardship T25022 Forest Flat Stewardship T26008 Rewa Bush Stewardship U26005, 6 and 7 Castlepoint Stewardship and Scenic Reserves T25042 Mokiri Bush Scenic Reserve
Table 8: Tararua District Council administered reserves TDC ID # and Description name Pt Sec 236 Block XII Mangaone SD Recreation Reserve Pt Alfredton Domain NZ GAZ p1582 17750-12000 159, 161 Sec 235 Pt Sec 236 Blk XII Mangaone SD Recreational Reserve Pt Alfredton Alfredton Domain (Sec 235 - GAZ 1947 p587) 17750-11900 Lots 1 2 Block B DP 1236 Blk XII Mangaone SD Recreational Reserve Pt Alfredton Domain NZ GAZ 85 p1582 17750-11700 160 Alfredton Lot 26 Blk A DP 1236 Blk XII Mangaone SD 17750-05200 Cemetery 162 Tiraumea Secs 27 50 Pt Sec 24 Tiraumea Sett Blk VII Puketoi SD Recreation Reserve GAZ Domain 1987 p 24 17750-10600 Tararua District Council 183 Makuri GAZ 55-1449 Sec 124 Town of Makuri Blk XIV Makuri SD GAZ 1971 p1449 Domain 17530-07600 185 Recreation Sec 174 Town of Makuri Blk XIV Makuri SD Rec Res GAZ 59 1658 GAZ 1895 Reserve p527 17530-09102
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 36 Rob Greenaway & Associates Table 8: Tararua District Council administered reserves TDC ID # and Description name Secs 162 167 169 170 Town of Makuri Blk XIV Makuri SD GAZ 46 1222 Sec 162 186 Makuri - GAZ 1893 p345 Sec 169 and 170 - GAZ 1911 p2559 Sec 167 - GAZ 1895 p456 Domain 17530-09200 204 Pongaroa Sec 12 Pongaroa SBRN Blk IX Mt Cerberus SD Rec Res GAZ 1984 p4689 Domain 11130-24700 205 Pongaroa Sec 12 Blk II Owahanga SD - Rec Res Timber not valued GAZ 84 4689 11130- Domain 29700
The proximity of each reserve to the CHWF corridor is shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13. Part of the Puketoi Stewardship Area is within 2km of the corridor, and the Tiraumea Domain, Tauweru Conservation Area and Mokiri Scenic Reserve are within 2km of the turbine corridor. A reserve listed in the TDC District Plan (206 Rakanui Domain Sec 35 Rakanui Settlement Blk I Owahanga SD GAZ 1927 p51 11130-34300 Tararua District Council) is now identified as privately owned and has been omitted from Table 8. The CMS is silent about recreational use of all but the Castlepoint reserves. It notes in regard to the Wairarapa (p28): Recreation resources: Lake Wairarapa Wetlands, rivers, Castlepoint, Aorangi Forest Park, Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve and the coast, especially places where the public can gain access by road. Many outstanding natural features and areas in the Wairarapa which provide opportunities for walking, panoramic views, 4-wheel driving, mountain biking and hunting are in private ownership. The area’s great recreation potential is not fully realised.
In relation to Castlepoint, the CMS notes (p38): Castlepoint is the second most popular beach resort on the eastern Wairarapa coast, and the beach and the geological features of the scenic reserve provide the major scenic attractions of the area.
There is a lack of quantification of the level of use of all reserves identified. However, use levels are likely to be low. Mokiri Bush Scenic Reserve is accessed via a right of way across neighbouring private farmland. Landowner permission is required and access is limited to specific times. A copy of the easement mechanism is provided in Appendix 6. The Puketoi Stewardship Area is primarily a hunting destination. Until recently deer were the prime target, but an illegal release of pigs has created an additional hunting resource (Tony Silbery, DOC, pers comm.). The area is a relatively minor hunting destination compared with the likes of the Tararua Ranges. The Tauweru Conservation Area is landlocked, as is the Forest Flat Stewardship Area. The TDC reserves are developed to a variety of degrees. Facilities on each are described for each community discussed in the following sections of this report.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 37 Rob Greenaway & Associates
Figure 11: Location of Wind farm Rewanui conservation block properties
Rewanui
Masterton
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 38 Rob Greenaway & Associates
Figure 12: DOC and TDC Reserves near CHWF, northern
Puketoi Makuri Stewardship Area reserves
Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve
Pongaroa Domain (204)
Puketoi Stewardship Area
Pongaroa Domain (205)
Rakanui Domain
Tiraumea Domain Key DOC reserve
TDC reserve
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 39 2km boundary from Rob Greenaway & Associates CHWF corridor Figure 13: DOC and TDC Reserves near CHWF, southern Tiraumea Domain
Forest Flat Stewardship Area
Alfredton reserves
Tauweru Conservation Area
Mokiri Scenic Reserve
Key DOC reserve
TDC reserve
2km boundary from CHWF corridor TDC / MDC boundary Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 40 Rob Greenaway & Associates
2.1 Department of Conservation reserves
Source: DOC (1998)
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 41 Rob Greenaway & Associates Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 42 Rob Greenaway & Associates Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 43 Rob Greenaway & Associates Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 44 Rob Greenaway & Associates
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 45 Rob Greenaway & Associates 3 Appendix 3: Towns and settlements
This appendix reviews the recreation and tourism activities and settings in the main population centres in proximity to the CHWF. Figure 14 shows the location of these population centres in relation to the 5km boundary to the CHWF. Census data are drawn from the 2006 Census (Statistics New Zealand) for the meshblocks shown for each settlement area. Figure 21 (end of this appendix) shows the location of each settlement in relation to the Census meshblocks and the number of residents and households in each.
Figure 14: Population centres reviewed Makuri with 5km CHWF boundary shown Pongaroa
Tiraumea
Alfredton
Bideford 10km Tinui
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 46 Rob Greenaway & Associates
3.1 Alfredton
Te Ara11 describes Alfredton:12 Figure 15: Alfredton Small settlement 18 km east of Eket huna on State Highway 52. Alfredton was settled in the 1870s, but due to poor roading failed to School prosper. It was named after Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred. Its M ori name is Moroa. Golf Course 480m Alfredton sits at the intersection of four meshblocks for the 2006 national Census results, shown in Figure 21 (page 52). The total population at 2006 for all four blocks was 108 from 39 households. The Alfredton Primary School is located Domain here. The Alfredton Domain features a clubroom, community hall, one hard-court and fields, and across the road, the nine- hole Alfredton Golf Course (Figure 15). There are no tourism facilities, although the golf course is likely to attract regional use, and horse trekking and riding are reported. The is church a short distance to the north west.
3.2 Tiraumea
Tiraumea lies on the intersection of three Figure 16: Tiraumea meshblocks for the 2006 national Census results, shown in Figure 21. The total population at 2006 for all four blocks was 57 School from at least 24 households (no household data are available for one meshblock). Domain 350m Tiraumea includes the Hall Tiraumea Primary School and the Tiraumea Domain, with a community hall, hard court and playing field. Just east of Tiraumea on Waihoki Valley Road, Trail & Track Adventures offers off-road ‘motorcycle adventures’ on private land.
11 Te Ara, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s on-line encyclopedia, aims to provide a, “comprehensive guide to the country’s peoples, natural environment, history, culture, economy, institutions and society.” The site builds on the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, which was NZ’s last official encyclopedia. Te Ara includes the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and is the most comprehensive review of New Zealand history in a searchable format. See: www.teara.govt.nz. 12 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/2
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 47 Rob Greenaway & Associates 3.3 Makuri
Makuri lies within one meshblock from the 2006 national Census results, shown in Figure 21. The total population at 2006 was 66 people from 21 households. Makuri is small settlement on the Pahiatua Pongaroa Road, including a school, a church (St Mark’s) and domain with nine-hole golf course and other visitor facilities (on Domain Road). Various undeveloped areas of reserve are located in and around the settlement, with a narrow strip extending west as part of the Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve, forming a natural- appearing corridor along 6kms of the Pahiatua Pongaroa Road. The Makuri River is a reasonably popular angling destination with approximately 590 angler days in the 2007/08 season (Unwin 2009).
DOC reserves TDC reserves
Figure 17: Makuri - Topo50 showing reserves, and aerial photo of the same area
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 48 Rob Greenaway & Associates Kent (2007) states that the Makuri River is “highly rated by fly anglers and heavily fished in the region of the Makuri settlement.” The NZ Speleological Society describes the Makuri area as having numerous small caves.13
3.4 Pongaroa
Te Ara describes Pongaroa:14 Figure 18: Pongaroa Settlement 60 km south-east of Pah atua. Pongaroa is a rural servicing centre. Settled in the 1890s, the town initially supported a timber mill. Once Domain the bush was cleared, the land 310m became sheep and beef cattle School country. Pongaroa was the birthplace of Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins (1916–2004), who won a Nobel Prize in 1962 for his contribution to the discovery of the structure of DNA. It is also home to Papauma marae, established in 1904. Cemetery The village lies on the intersection of four meshblocks for the 2006 national Census results, shown in Figure 21. The total population at 2006 for all four blocks was 154 from 66 households. The village includes a dairy, school and the Pongaroa Domain. The latter may be used for camping and includes a hall and playing field. Hard courts are on the neighbouring school ground. A short bush walkway leads along the river to the local cemetery and into the nearby bush (Figure 18). The bush walk is promoted as offering views of ‘Benarty, Akaroa Peak and the Beehive’.15 The latter two locations are to the east and north-east of Pongaroa – the proposed CHWF is located to the west. ‘Benarty’ does not appear in the New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names. A reserve, also called Pongaroa Domain, is located 5kms south east of the village on Coast Road (see Figure 12) within a hook on the Pongaroa River. This is undeveloped but may offer access to the river and camping opportunities. The nine-hole Pongaroa Golf Course is located 1km north-west of the village on Pahiatua Road. The dairy, Pongaroa Tavern, golf course and bush walks support tourism in the township.
13 http://caves.org.nz/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/NZSS/CavingAreas 14 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/1 15 http://www.dannevirke.net.nz/dannevirke-attractions.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 49 Rob Greenaway & Associates 3.5 Bideford
Bideford lies within one meshblock for the 2006 national Census results, shown in Figure 21. The total population at 2006 was 33 people from 12 households. Bideford is the home of Dursley Gardens: Hundreds of lillies of 15–20 varieties including Turk’s-cap lilies (L. martagon) feature throughout the woodland area, and a very large clump of California “tree” Figure 19: Bideford Hall poppies (Romneya coulteri) is striking when in full bloom. Three herbaceous borders are sited to provide views from the house. When the Callaghans took over the garden in 1972 they removed seven truckloads of debris before beginning to recover the garden area around the flowing driveway. Care has been taken not to plant out the panoramic views to the hills, appreciated from the seats which abound for visitors to sit and listen to the birds in the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.16
Boffa Miskell, through their landscape study, report that there are no views of the turbines from Dursley Gardens. Bideford has a church (Waterfalls Road), community hall, cenotaph and playground (Mangapurupuru Road on MDC fee simple land). There are no other tourism or recreation services in the locale. Figure 20: Tinui
3.6 Tinui
Tinui is located on the Masterton Castlepoint Road and receives a relatively high level of traffic. Mt Maunsell Te Ara describes the village:17 Sheep farming settlement 48 km north-east of Masterton, on the road to Castlepoint. T nui was founded in the 1860s. It thrived in the late 19th century, but today is a quiet farming village. New Zealand’s first civic ANZAC ceremony, commemorating the Australian and New Zealand troops’ landing at Gallipoli in 1915, was held in T nui on 25 April 1916. A memorial cross was built on the T nui Taipo rock outcrop above the village.
Tinui falls across two meshblocks from the 1996 Census (Figure 21). The total for these areas is a population of 96 in 30 households. The town is locally promoted thus:18 Tinui is a living historic village sited 35 minutes from Masterton and has strong community support. There is a hotel, school, hall [Tinui Community Hall and Tinui 400m
16 http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=gardens 17 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/4 18 http://www.wizbiz.co.nz/tinui_craft_corner.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 50 Rob Greenaway & Associates cenotaph], preschool centre, fire station, Anglican church, craft shop and astroturf tennis courts. Tinui is a mainly agriculture and fishing region and the social hub centre of the District. There are several groups who have a branch in Tinui eg Lions, Plunket and Women’s Institute. There are two beaches close by being Castlepoint Beach and Riversdale Beach both with permanent residents as well as travelling holidaymakers and new subdivisions. We also have two rural nurses who are available for any emergencies. In 1980 the community got together and a Trust was formed which purchased the Tinui General Store from Wrightson’s so that it would always be in the hands of the local community. Since then there have been several store keepers, some who have stayed in the District after reselling their store lease.
The Anzac memorial on the summit of Mt Maunsell is on private land and public access is arranged with the landowner for Anzac celebrations and arranged group visits.19 There are no gazetted reserves in Tinui, but land is held by the Masterton District Council for community purposes. There is one on-line reference to the potential to develop rock climbing in the area, although the quality of the rock is not high (Appendix 7). Tinui Station Country Estate provides a high quality farm-estate-based accommodation and venue operation south of Mt Maunsell.
19 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2348517/Fears-of-all-year-Anzac-hordes, http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2009/05/06/tinui- tiny-but-historic/#comments. Certificate of title also searched.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 51 Rob Greenaway & Associates Figure 21: Meshblocks and communities with population data from 2006 Census Eketahuna
66/21 Key Number of households in
Makuri 60/24 meshblock 60/24 Pongaroa 39/21 30/12 24/9 Number of 36/18 people in meshblock
9/6 Tiraumea 9/3 12/? Alfredton 45/21
30/9 24/6
54/18 33/12 Bideford
42/ Tinui 12
Masterton 10kms
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 52 Rob Greenaway & Associates 4 Appendix 4: International research on wind farms, tourism and recreation
This appendix reviews the findings of international research into the effects of wind farm development on tourism. This review provides an important foundation for this assessment, due to the influence on tourism and recreation of the operation of the proposed wind farm being limited to visual effects.
4.1 United Kingdom
It is appropriate to reference studies completed in Scotland and England because they include members of the same European tourism market that New Zealand relies on, in part, and have been carried out in an area which bases much of its tourism product on relatively natural landscape settings. The equivocal and contingent responses to the surveys in Scotland match the little research that has been completed in New Zealand. There is a mix of reactions to wind farms from a tourism perspective, but the trend is generally neutral, and there are often positive elements. In a survey of 307 visitors to Argyll in Scotland (MORI, 2002) – where 83% of respondents noted the landscape and countryside of the area as ‘of particular interest’ – of the 49% who had seen a wind farm in the area, 15% reported they had a ‘completely positive effect’, 28% reported a ‘generally positive effect’, 43% reported an ‘equally positive and negative effect’, 7% reported a ‘generally negative effect’, and 1% a ‘completely negative effect’. Four percent noted that the wind farms would make them more likely to visit again, 91% reported that they would make no difference and 2% reported that the wind farms meant it was less likely that they would visit again. Similarly, a 2004 study by the University of West England into a proposed wind farm in North Devon (Aithchison, 2004), based on interviews with 379 ‘day visitors and tourists’, reported that the majority of respondents (58%) thought that wind farms had no overall impact on the tourism experience, a further 18% reported that they had a positive effect on the tourism experience, and 15% reported a negative effect. The report conclusion was no overall negative impact on tourism numbers, no overall detrimental effect on the tourist experience, and no overall decline in tourism expenditure. NFO System Three (2002) completed a meta-data analysis, and a survey of 180 domestic, national and international tourists to Scotland for VisitScotland into the potential impact of wind farms on tourism in Scotland, and in 2003 a similar study for the Wales Tourism Board (NFO System Three, 2003). Findings for the Scotland study included: The Scottish research identified the emotive nature of the whole issue of wind farm development. Amongst the trade bodies interviewed, the majority were either positively disposed towards wind farm development, or at least conditionally so. Trade bodies who were more negative tended to have very strong reasons for this opinion. In Wales, most trade body representatives were, in principle, supportive of renewable energy and the development of wind farms. However, the general view was that wind farms should be very carefully sited and not in areas which were deemed to be particularly ‘sensitive’ to their development. There were variations in the explanation of what constituted a ‘no-go area’ with some organisations more explicit than others in their definition. Nevertheless, there was general consensus that they should be located outside of designated areas (e.g. National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and in areas in which the visual and environmental impacts would be minimised. In the absence of any research in Wales that has attempted to quantify the impacts of wind farms on tourists, most respondents found it difficult to assess these types of impacts. Amongst those who did provide an opinion most believed that the impacts on tourism were negligible although these views were based on anecdotal evidence. Welsh tourism operators did not report any adverse effects from existing wind farms, but some were worried about their development would may impact on those returning to the area in the future.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 53 Rob Greenaway & Associates Amongst visitors to Scotland, the picture was mixed with a large proportion commenting on the visual intrusion on the landscape. The visual impact represented the main concern with 38% of visitor respondents reporting that wind farms ‘spoiled the scenery’. Most other respondents felt that the visual intrusion of wind farms needed to be taken account when they were being sited. When asked for their overall views on wind farm development, the majority of visitor respondents – over three quarters – were either positive or at least neutral towards wind farm development. At the same time, a significant minority (21%) of visitors held much more negative views towards wind farm development. These figures were almost identical in the Welsh study. The majority of visitors respondents were at least ‘conditionally positive’ towards wind farm development from a tourism perspective. The use of the term ‘conditionally positive’ was considered important in terms of wind farm development and its impact on tourism. Only a relatively small proportion of visitors were positive towards wind farm development without any conditions. A much larger proportion were more likely to qualify their acceptance using phrases such as ‘it depends’, ‘so long as’, and ‘provided that’ in their responses. Most of these conditions related to the siting of the wind farms and a recognition that, for most people, they are seen as being visually intrusive. Consequently, a common theme amongst both the trade and visitors was that wind farms should not be sited in or near designated areas of outstanding scenery. In addition, there was a consensus amongst visitors that, wherever possible, wind turbines should not be located in or near popular ‘tourist areas’. There was a feeling amongst visitors that wind farms held some appeal at the time because of their ‘novelty value’. For most visitors, it was fairly unusual to see a turbine or a wind farm in the countryside (as it is currently in New Zealand) and therefore when they were seen, they held a degree of curiosity. This suggests that there could be a danger of cumulative development of wind farms throughout the countryside where one of their present appeals – uniqueness and the fact that they are unusual, is lost. The issue of the preferred sizes and scales of individual wind farm developments from the tourism industry point of view more difficult to determine. Whilst the trade were more likely to prefer the idea of a smaller number of larger wind farm developments, visitors were rather more likely to choose the option of a larger number of smaller scale developments. It would appear however that the largest proportion of visitors would prefer to not see any wind farms at all when in the Scottish countryside. A preference for a larger number of small scale developments rather than a smaller number of large scale developments was considered to probably be based on the feeling that if they had to see any wind farms at all, the smaller and less intrusive the development, the better. Attitudes towards wind farms tended to be slightly more positive amongst those who had actually seen and experienced them than amongst those who had not done so Seventy percent of those in the Scottish study who had seen wind farms thought they made no difference to their experience, versus 54% for those who had not seen them. This suggested that the perceived negative associations with wind farms – visual and noise pollution – are less problematic amongst those respondents who have actually seen them in situ. Many opinions were reported to have been based on, “rumour and often misinformation”. In the Scottish study as many as 26% of visitors claimed that they would be less likely to visit a specific site, based on mock-ups of wind farm developments, if a wind farm was developed there in future. One percent would be more likely to return, and 70% claimed that it would make no difference. The report authors noted that it would be difficult to determine the extent to which this would actually be the outcome of a wind farm development, although it offers evidence that specific developments would be likely to result in a reduction in the number of visits made by the existing visitor markets. This again illustrates that from a tourism perspective, the siting of wind farms is particularly crucial. In the Welsh study the largest proportion of respondents claimed that it would make no difference to their likelihood to take holidays in the Welsh countryside if the number of wind farms increased (68%). A further 9% claimed that any impact would be minimal. On the other hand, a significant minority would be affected: 11% would ‘steer clear of the area’ and 2% would be ‘less likely to come back’. This would tend to suggest that a wind farm development
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 54 Rob Greenaway & Associates could have a negative impact on future visits – none of the respondents replied that they would be more likely to return for example The NFO System Three report authors (2002) stated that their research had highlighted a mix of different messages and conditions related to wind farm development in relation to tourism. This made a: general, all-encompassing tourism policy fairly impractical. Most respondents, both on the trade and consumer sides, felt that each case should be judged on its own merits rather than attempting to define an overall policy which suggested that VisitScotland was either ‘for’ or ‘against’ wind farm development. Therefore, our recommendation would be to devise a policy which was set within the overall context of the recognition of the importance of sustainability and renewable energies but which would allow judgement on individual wind farm applications, taking account of all of the key factors and elements indicated.
An important finding of the NFO System Three surveys was respondents’ identification of facilities which detracted or enhanced their visitor experience. The value in this question set was that it was asked before respondents were aware that the survey was targeted at wind farms. Table 4 summarises the results:
Table 4: Proportion of Respondents claiming that each facility/development detracted or enhanced the experience (% of n=180). NFO System Three (2002 and 2003)
Scotland % of n=180 Wales % of n=266
Facility or development Detracted Enhanced Detracted Enhanced
Electricity pylons and wires 51 1 48 1 Mobile telephone masts 35 2 37 2 Quarries 33 7 30 15 Planted, geometric forestry 32 32 28 29 Wind farms and turbines 29 18 23 17 Telephone wires and poles 29 2 25 3 Hydro electric and other power stations 22 19 24 9 Fish farms 20 21 6 18 Hydro electric dams 12 7 6 40
Electricity pylons rated well above wind turbines as adverse features, and had very few respondents citing them as enhancing the experience. Wind turbines were more equivocal, of less concern than geometric forestry and as much a detraction as telephone poles and wires. Research carried out by QA Research (2005) of 449 visitors to Cumbria into the potential to develop additional wind farms in the area, reported that to 86% of visitors, more wind farms in Cumbria would make no difference to their visit frequency. Ten percent would visit less often and 1% would not visit at all. With regard to the statement, ‘I would avoid an area of countryside if I knew there was a wind farm there’, 77% disagreed or strongly disagreed and 19% agreed or strongly agreed. However, 71% indicated an extra wind farm would make no difference when visiting the district; 28% thought it would be an additional attraction; 79% indicated it would not reduce their enjoyment on visits; and 91% indicated it would not discourage them from visiting. Seventy-five percent of respondents had prior experience of wind farms in Cumbria, and unfortunately the study report does not indicate the response differences between those who had and had not experienced a wind farm. RBA Research (2002) completed 234 face-to-face interviews with residents near the Lambrigg Fell wind farm in Cumbria. They found that 71% of respondents thought that the wind farm had no effect on the number of people visiting the area, 14% said they didn’t know what the impact had been and
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 55 Rob Greenaway & Associates 11% believed that the number of visitors to the area had increased. Three percent thought that visitor numbers had declined. Star Consultants (2003) – a group of undergraduate students from Leeds Metropolitan University – completed face-to-face interviews with 147 visitors to the Lake District for Friends of the Lake District. In relation to visits to Kirby Moor in the Lakes District, 79% of respondents were neither encouraged nor discouraged to visit that area as a result of the wind farm, and equal numbers of respondents (7.5%) were encouraged and discouraged. In relation to Lambrigg Fell – another wind farm area – the neutral group was even larger – 84%. In response to the potential for increasing the number of wind farms in the Lake District, 75% of respondents stated it would make no difference to their visit frequency, 22% stated they would visit less frequently and 2% would be encouraged to visit. The students also interviewed 30 ‘tourism organisations’ in the Lakes District, including the Ramblers Association. Their report includes analysis of the results by subgroup (such as B&Bs and museums), but as each subgroup was quite small (three B&Bs for example), this detailed analysis is unlikely to be representative. In relation to the Kirby Moor wind farm, all businesses noted that it had had no effect on their operations (only the Ramblers considered it a negative effect). The same results applied to Lambrigg Fell and the proposed wind farm at Wharrels Hill. Almost three-quarters of businesses supported the concept of wind farm visitor centres, and those who did not felt they would be competition for their businesses. In 2008 the Scottish Government released an analysis of the economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish tourism undertaken by Glasgow Caledonian University (2008). This study was based on international literature review, intercept surveys with almost 400 visitors to areas in Scotland with wind farms, and an internet-base response survey. The literature review found: There is often strong hostility to developments at the planning stage on the grounds of the scenic impact and the perceived knock-on effect on tourism. However developments in the most sensitive locations [which is taken to mean, locations where tourism values are directly dependent on existing visual amenity values] do not appear to have been given approval so that where negative impacts on tourism might have been a real outcome there is, in practice, little evidence of a negative effect. There is a loss of value to a significant number of individuals but there are also some who believe that wind turbines enhance the scene. An established wind farm can be a tourist attraction in the same way as a hydro-electric power station. This was considered to be only true whilst a visit remains a novel occurrence. In Denmark, a majority of tourists regard wind turbines as a positive feature of the landscape. Over time hostility to wind farms lessens and they become an accepted even valued part of the scenery. Those closest seem to like them most. Overall there is no evidence to suggest a significant negative economic impact of wind farms on tourists. In relation to the effects of wind farms on visitor intentions to return to Scotland, the intercept survey by Glasgow Caledonia University (2008) found: Under all circumstances [the respondent having seen a real wind farm, having seen a photo- montage of a local landscape before and after the creation of an existing wind farm, and seeing a photo-simulation of an expanded existing wind farm] the vast majority (93-99%) of those who had seen a wind farm suggested that the experience would not have any effect. Indeed there were some tourists for whom the experience increased the likelihood of return rather than decreasing it. The assessed change in likelihood combines both decreases (negative impacts) and increases (positive impacts). In the second case (no farm to current levels [that is, when viewing a ‘before and after’ photo-montage of an existing wind farm]) the net result of these changes in intentions at both the area level and nationally is relatively small,
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 56 Rob Greenaway & Associates and in almost all cases is not significantly different from zero in a statistical sense. However when the farm was extended respondents became significantly more negative. The extended development scenario at the area level shows a small but statistically significant (at the 10% level) fall of 2.5% in the likelihood of revisiting an area and just under 0.5% fall in the likelihood of revisiting Scotland. The result at first sight seems to stand at odds to the result from the internet survey, where it appeared that once there was an intrusion into the scenery, the effect on the value of the landscape of expanding the size is relatively small. It is believed that this discrepancy may be explained by the difference between stated and revealed actions. The extended photos used in the intercept study were theoretical developments. Again those who did not like the idea of wind farms were given the opportunity to register a “protest vote” by threatening to withdraw if it proceeded. Because of the context this protest was far lower than in some other studies but it would appear to exist. Consequently it is our view that the identified change should be viewed as the maximum response that might be expected.
The report concluded a reduction in ‘general tourism expenditure’ at four study areas of between 1.3% and 1.7% as a result of wind farm development. The total loss for Scotland was estimated at 0.1%. However, this was considered a ‘worst case scenario’ as it was based on responses to extending existing wind farms where a statistically significant result was noted, and did not include the potential positive effects of wind farm tourism. The authors also reported: The intercept study possibly overstates the likely negative responses because they were based on hypothetical extensions and were out of line with the marginality findings of the internet study. It is believed that there is an inherent possibility of a protest vote against wind farms which is not matched by similar responses from supporters. and The development will happen over a number of years and both the market and tourists are likely to in part adjust to meet the new challenges.
In 2008 four researchers from the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change and Sustainability and the School of Engineering and Electronics at the University of Edinburgh (Eltham et al 2008) compared residents’ perceptions of a Cornish wind farm (Carland Cross) based on their recall of the their opinions prior to its construction in 1991 and after living near the farm up to 2006. The photo below shows an example of the proximity to residences. A sample size of 100 respondents was sought and achieved.
“Carland Cross wind farm viewed from St. Newlyn East. Many residents can see the turbines from their property.” Source: Eltham et al 2008.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 57 Rob Greenaway & Associates Findings included: The overall proportion of the population of St. Newlyn East finding the wind farm visually attractive changed from 6% to 40%. A total of 10% (±5.9%) of the population thought that the visual intrusion of the wind turbines was greater after the wind farm was constructed than they had expected while 8% (±5.3%) thought that the visual impact was less intrusive. A total of 59% of the population recalled anticipating that, in 1991, the wind farm would bring no positive environmental, social or economic impact to St. Newlyn East. By 2006 this proportion reduced by 37% (±16%) to 22%. There was no statistically reliable change in the perception about the positive or negative effects of the wind farm on tourism. The authors noted: “If socio-institutional factors instigated the lower levels of acceptance seen in 1991 compared with 2006, it is interesting that the number of residents remembering being concerned about the impact of Carland Cross on local tourism is negligible. This is despite the prominence of tourism within the Cornish economy (Lang, 2004) and the importance of the promotion of the ‘‘unique and beautiful natural environment’’ (South West Tourism, 2007) as a pull factor for potential visitors. St. Newlyn East, however, has no significant tourist accommodation or facilities, which Toke (2005)20 found to be an important requirement in a settlement for significant concern to arise about impacts on tourism from local wind farms. In 1997 Robertson Bell Associates (RBA) was commissioned by National Wind Power Limited to conduct an independent survey among the residents living near to the 20 turbine Welsh Taff Ely wind farm, Mid Glamorgan, with 336 interviews completed among people living within a two mile radius of the turbines.21 More than three in five local people supported the wind farm, which could be seen by more than 70% of the people questioned. More thought it made the scenery more interesting than spoilt the scenery. Findings of the survey included: More than three in five (63%) said they supported the Taff Ely wind farm, including 28% who say they strongly support it. Only 4% said they opposed the wind farm. The remainder (32%) said 'no opinion either way'. More than three in four (78%) were able to mention at least one way in which the Taff Ely wind farm had benefited the local area, with 8% saying there were no benefits. Taff-Ely Seven in ten residents (71%) identified no drawbacks with the wind farm, (49% said Taff Ely wind farm had no negative effects on the local area and a further 22% said 'don't know'). Of those who identified drawbacks, the most commonly mentioned was the visual impact of the wind farm, spontaneously mentioned by 18%. Other than visual impact, no further drawbacks were mentioned by more than 4% of respondents. On being asked how they thought the wind farm fitted into the countryside, more residents said 'it makes the scenery more interesting' (29%) than said 'it spoils the scenery' (17%). Half (51%) described it as 'all right'. Of the turbines themselves, more described them as 'graceful' (20%) than described them as 'ugly' (14%) with most (63%) saying they are 'all right'.
20 Toke (2005) offers a review of English and Welsh planning outcomes in relation to wind farms. 21 See: http://www.bwea.com/ref/taffely.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 58 Rob Greenaway & Associates In terms of the number of people visiting the area, a majority (68%) said the wind farm had no effect. Many more respondents said visitor numbers had increased, however, than said they had decreased (15% and 1% respectively). Whitelee is Europe’s largest onshore wind farm and is well-developed as a visitor destination, located “20 minutes from Glasgow”. More than 120,000 visitors were recorded in 2010. The site features approximately 90kms of cycling track, an interactive science display and cafe (below).22
22 http://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 59 Rob Greenaway & Associates 4.2 Spain
The following is drawn from NFO System Three (2003): “Consultations with representatives from organisations in Spain were undertaken to gather knowledge and experiences from a country with a substantial amount of wind farm development. There are around 40.2 million people living in Spain in an area of 504,782 square km. In December 2002 there were 261 wind farms in Spain. These developments produce 5,060 MW electricity, which is ca 0.5% of the total amount of energy produced in Spain. The aim is to increase the production to 5% in 2011. Spain has the largest wind power capacity and market in the world, after Germany and the United States. The three countries, together with Denmark account for more than 80% of total installed wind power capacity. The development of wind farms in Spain has grown rapidly and yet several independent studies have shown that wind farms have not had any effect on tourism in Spain, neither for inland nor coastal tourism. However there are certain places in Spain that are near their saturation point in terms of wind farm development, but those are not areas of particular importance for tourism. There have been a few examples of positive effects on tourism from wind farms, where a new type of tourism, so called ‘green tourism’ is being established when an area is promoted by sustainable energy sources. This involves, amongst other things, hotels run only by renewable energy and examples of this kind of development can be found on the Canary Islands. Generally, there seems to be a lack of knowledge and misinformation about the effects of wind farms on tourism businesses. This is especially thought to be the case in Catalonia, where a larger number of businesses and residents are opposing wind farms, although they are situated in very remote parts of the area. Therefore, the Spanish organisations consulted, stressed the importance of education and information about wind farms and their impact on businesses as well as for local communities. The example of Navarra was also mentioned, where a large proportion of Spain’s wind farms are located. Wind farms have been developed in the area but in places far away from communities, where they are thought to cause little disturbance. At the same time, the number of houses in the rural part of the region has increased and local people are educated about wind farms and other types of renewable energy sources. The aim is to make as many rural communities as possible self-sustainable with renewable energies and thus facilitate the development of tourism and other industries. This process is thought to minimize the abandoning of rural areas, especially of young people, which is a significant social problem in Spain.”
4.3 Australia
At the close of 2008, there were 50 wind farms in Australia, with a total of 756 operating wind turbines. The total operating wind generating capacity at the end of 2008 was 1,300 megawatts (MW) providing 1.3% of Australia's national electricity demand. South Australia has more than half of the nation's wind power capacity, providing about 15% of the State’s electricity needs. Victoria also has a sizeable system, with large proposals for expansion.23
The Australian Wind Energy Association has released several papers on Codrington wind farms and tourism.24 In these papers, it is clear that many wind farms receive high visitor numbers, and that some operators have benefited from running commercial tours. Codrington, for example, attracts an estimated 50,000 visitors per year (not all on commercial tours). Likewise, other wind farms – including those at Esperance (Ten Mile Lagoon), Albany, the
23 http://www.westwind-energy.com.au/downloads/CFS4Tourism.pdf 24 See: http://www.auswind.org/auswea/index.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 60 Rob Greenaway & Associates Atherton Tablelands, Woolnorth in Tasmania, Crookwell in New South Wales and Toora in NSW – all attract high numbers of visitors. The novelty factor of the turbines appears to have been evident at all sites, with the number of visitors reported to be dropping off over time. The Windy Hill wind farm in Atherton was reported by the Association to have been visited by 30,000 cars in the first three months of operation. The Albany farm was reported to have 100,000 visitors in 2003. All sites are reported to be part of commercial tourism itineraries. The Ten Mile Lagoon wind farm in Western Australia with nine turbines was reported to have had 50,000 visitors in 2001. The Albany wind farm, also in WA, with 12 turbines was reported to have had 100,000 visitors in 2004. In 2001, an AusPoll study in Victoria and reported by the Australian Wind Energy Association25 showed that 94% of respondents described wind generators as “interesting” and 74% as “graceful”. A subsequent survey showed that 36% of respondents were more likely to visit a coastal area if it had a wind farm, while 55% said it would make no difference. Only 8% said it would deter them from visiting. The survey also showed that 95% of respondents supported the construction of more wind farms. This result was again backed up in a national poll in 2003 which found that 95% support (27%) or strongly support (68%) building wind farms to meet Australia’s rapidly increasing demand for electricity. The National Trust of South Australia has worked with the Australian Wind Energy Association to come up with an Energy Infrastructure (wind farms) Policy. With respect to cultural heritage, the policy states: ‘State heritage places and areas, and local heritage places, zones or areas should be protected from undesirable visual intrusion by energy infrastructure, including wind farms. Significant landscapes, scenic tourist routes, character streetscapes, vistas or panorama, regardless of whether the view is from public or private land, must be identified and protected from visually intrusive energy infrastructure.’ The industry recognises the difficulties in developing sensitive areas. Pacific Blue (developer of the Codrington and Portland wind farm projects), for example, reports that they avoid public land altogether for wind farm developments, given the associated difficulties. Key lessons with regard to the Australian cases include: The ‘novelty’ factor is significant, with many visitors wanting to ‘take a look’ at the new technology, but numbers are reported to be declining over time; Even within the tourism industry, views on the effects of wind farms on tourism differ. For example, while the Western Australia Tourism Commission supports wind farms, Tourism Victoria is concerned about the potential impacts of the wind farm developments at Portland and other areas; The majority of visitors to wind farms are ‘low yield’ sightseers who offer little income to the commercial tourism industry.
Albany26 The Albany wind farm opened in 2001 with 12 turbines is located on public recreational land in Western Australia on a coastal reserve, through which runs part of the well-known multi-day trek, the Bibbulmun Track. About a century ago the site was zoned for a pine plantation, but trees were never planted. To allow a wind farm development, the land was rezoned to allow for recreation, conservation and wind energy development. The wind farm is listed as an attraction on www.Australia.com, and is on an established scenic drive route. Those intending to surf and fish pass through the reserve on the way to the sea, and walkers on the Bibbulmun Track pass by it. The reserve is also used for other activities including hang gliding. The Bibbulmun Track is Western Australia’s only long distance walking trail. It has important Aboriginal
25 http://www.westwind-energy.com.au/downloads/CFS4Tourism.pdf 26 See: http://www.westernpower.com.au/about_us/environment/renewable_energy/wind/renewable_wind_albany.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 61 Rob Greenaway & Associates heritage, natural and scenic values. In 1999/2000, an estimated 215,000 walking days were recorded on the track, the majority being short-term hikers undertaking one to three days of hiking. An employee of the Western Australia State Tourism Organisation reports that the wind farm has benefited tourism. The area is now visited more frequently and provides better access for users of the reserve. The wind farm is not, however, the main focus of any commercial tourism operation. Western Power, the Albany Wind farm developers, had to ensure impact on the track-walkers was minimal. The track was improved and moved to accommodate the additional walkers who were expected to visit this section (given improved road access). The turbines were placed in positions that had the least visible impact on walkers. A study completed by Sinclair Knight Mertz suggested that the opinions of track- walkers differed significantly, with some seeing a complimentary connection between the track and ‘natural’ energy production, and others being absolutely opposed. The Department of Conservation and Land Management, the organisation that Albany manages the track, has stated that apart from an increase in tourist numbers directly at Albany to view the wind farm, they did not expect numbers to significantly change on the whole of the track. A Wind Discovery Centre at the wind farm was opened in 2004. According to the city’s economic development manager, John Berry, traffic counters suggest about Albany 100,000 people visited the wind farm in 2003. The site has “the potential to be a premier WA tourism icon based on the sheer size of the structures and magnificent coastal setting…”.27 A national tourism promotional website states:28 This day trip to Albany is all about natural elements, and a trip to Albany's Wind Farm is a perfect way the end the day. Opened in October 2001, this wind farm is biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Many huge turbines are perched on the hillside, spinning vigorously in order to create electricity for 15 000 Albany homes with clean, green electricity. It's an impressive sight to see.
Esperance wind farms Also in Western Australia is the Ten Mile Lagoon wind farm and Nine Mile Beach wind farm at Esperance, consisting of nine and six turbines respectively and developed in 1993. These farms generate 22% of Esperance’s electricity supply. The nearby Salmon Beach wind farm was closed in 2002 due to urban encroachment. The Ten Mile Lagoon site is located on an area zoned as a flora
27 Albany Advertiser 31/1/03 28 http://thegreatoutdoors.com.au/display.php?location=WA&ID=2961
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 62 Rob Greenaway & Associates reserve. To gain consent for the development, Western Power was required to rehabilitate other areas and become a vestee of the land with certain responsibilities in regard to conservation and land management on behalf of the Crown.29 The developer, Western Power, states: The remaining two Salmon Beach wind turbines, the Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm and the new Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm are symbols of the town, which thousands of tourists visit every year. A 2001 study completed by Sinclair Knight Mertz, and reported on by the Australian Wind Energy Association,30 suggested the Salmon Beach and Ten Mile Lagoon wind farms were visited by 50,000 people per year, with road counters to Ten Mile Lagoon registering 80 cars per day.
Walkaway Wind Farm Alinta’s Walkaway Wind Farm, just south of Geraldton in Western Australia was opened in August 2005 with 54 of the world’s largest turbines. The project is promoted by the developer (Alinta) as: Aside from being a major boost to cleaner and cheaper electricity for the Mid-West and South-West regions of Western Australia, the Alinta Wind Farm is already proving to be a major tourist attraction. A car park and visitors' information booth is being constructed alongside one of the wind turbines to Walkaway give visitors a close-up look at one of Australia's largest wind energy facilities.31 Geraldton is a town of 100,000, with a backdrop of a range of hills that are operated as a privately- owned sheep station. The land owner is a partner in the development proposes to revegetate the range and create a recreational park, owned by the community. The Northern Agricultural Catchements Council’s 2005 Regional Natural Resource Management Startegy described ‘industrial tourism’ in the area as a growth area: Tours of crayfish factories, Geraldton port, mines, farms, aquaculture ventures, technological sites (like the new Walkaway and Emu Downs wind farms) and other worksites are growing in popularity and will continue to attract more visitors.32
4.4 New Zealand
Social Acceptance of Renewable Electricity Developments in New Zealand Stephenson and Ioannou (2010) report on what influences the social acceptability of wind farms in New Zealand. Their study did not address tourism and recreation issues directly, but considered, in very broad terms, what can influence the degree to which proposals for renewable energy developments are acceptable to communities and individuals. Various issues are reviewed by the study, such as whether the ‘not in my back yard’ or NIMBY syndrome is a driver of concern and whether communities and individuals base their concerns on ‘facts’ or ‘values’. None of this review indicates that wind farms or other forms of renewable energy generation have real adverse effects on recreation or tourism. However, survey data about New Zealanders acceptance of wind energy generally are of interest. If wind farms are perceived as ‘bad
29 See: http://www.horizonpower.com.au/environment/renewable_energy/wind/wind_nine_mile.html 30 See: http://www.thewind.info/downloads/tourism.pdf 31 See: http://www.alinta.net.au/organisation/energy/windFarm.aspx 32 See: http://www.nacc.com.au/default.asp?documentid=2
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 63 Rob Greenaway & Associates ideas’ generally, then they are less likely to be acceptable as elements of the recreation and tourism landscape. Results quoted, however, indicate that wind farms have the highest level of support at the national level (over 80% ‘very supportive’ or ‘supportive’, when compared with other forms of generation, Figure 22).
Figure 22: How supportive are you of the following energy sources/technologies to generate electricity for New Zealand? (n=756). EECA Consumer Monitor Public Opinion Survey Oct-Dec 2009 (Synovate) in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010)
Coal
Oil Very supportive Gas Supportive Neutral Wood energy Opposed Geothermal energy Very opposed Don't know enough Marine energy
Hydro energy
Wind energy
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Between 2004 and 2009 there was some change in the type of support for wind farms. While the level of support remained the same at around 80%, there was some movement from ‘very supportive’ to ‘supportive’, suggesting some conditionality about the support. There was also an increase in the number of respondents to the surveys who felt they didn’t know enough to have an opinion (Figure 23). Margins of error are not stated in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010) and some of this change may merely be statistical unreliability
Figure 23: Public opinion on electricity generation from wind 2004 & 2009 (UMR Research 2004&Synovate2009forEECA) in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010)
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 64 Rob Greenaway & Associates Figure 24 shows results to questions relating to support for wind farms in New Zealand (also at the 80% mark for ‘very supportive’ and ‘supportive’. Support declines when the farms could potentially be built close to home, and is lowest when they could be heard from home. Interestingly, a small percent (5) would prefer to see a wind farm if it was within 2km of their home than not see it if it was at the same distance.
Figure 24: Responses to the question: How supportive are you of ...? EECA Consumer Monitor Public Opinion Survey Oct-Dec 2009 (Synovate) in Stephenson and Ioannou (2010)
Wind farms that you can hear from your home Very supportive
Supportive Wi nd fa rms tha t you can see from your Neutral home Not supportive
Wind farms within 2 Not supportive at all kms of your home Don't know
Wind farms in NZ
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
These data cannot be directly related to recreation and tourism effects, but indicate that amongst the domestic recreation and tourism market, that there is a high level of support for wind farms as a feature of the New Zealand landscape generally.
Manawatu No domestic longitudinal research into the effect of wind farms on tourism or recreation – pre and post wind farm construction – has been located. Difficulties arise where many factors may affect the success of a tourism operation, and businesses come and go with and without wind farms in proximity. Figure 25, for example, shows monthly ‘guest night’ data for the Manawatu Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) area compared with national ‘guest nights’, for the period January 2000 to October 2010 (MED 2010), with linear trend lines shown for both data sets. Wind farms have been prominent on the Tararua Ranges since 1999, with their numbers progressively growing since (Tararua wind farm with 134 turbines, Te Rere Hau with 65 and Te Apiti with 55 turbines). The Manawatu RTO has shown a growth trend in guest nights over that time, with a recent softening in-line with the national trend, which is correlated with the global recession. The Footprint New Zealand Guide (Donaldson 2009) notes in relation to the Te Apiti and Tararua wind farms, “Well before arriving in Palmy you will no doubt have seen the small forest of white blades that make up the Te Apiti and Tararua Wind Farm on the ranges east of the town. With almost 200 turbines it is one of the largest wind farm sites in the southern hemisphere and a great testimony to clean, renewable energy in New Zealand. It is well worth going to take a closer look and you can do so in the heart of the Te Apiti site via the town of Ashhurst .... If you do not have you own transport you can join a quad bike tour ....”
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 65 Rob Greenaway & Associates Figure 25: Monthly guest nights, Manawatu RTO and New Zealand, Jan 2000 – Oct 2010 National guest nights Manawatu RTO guest nights Manawatu RTO guest nights
The Tararua and Te Apiti wind farms are both sited on private farmland in areas that originally had no public access. The sites are still not open to the general public, although people do visit as far as public roads allow and, in the case of the Tararua wind farm, on commercial tours. The wind farm developments have reportedly boosted the Manawatu District’s economy by over $4 million per year through additional tourism revenues33. Views of the wind farm have become part of the region’s core image set and branding, and it is believed the wind farm has had a positive effect on the region’s positioning as a tourism destination. The region’s tourism information website leads with the statement:34 The Tararua region stretches from the ridges of the Ruahine and Tararua ranges, to the shores of the Pacific. Discover a relaxed lifestyle conveniently close to main centres. Great fishing, eco-tourism and adventure opportunities. Visit the world famous National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce, view the majestic turbines of Tararua Wind Power and Te Apiti, experience the tranquillity of a walk through stunning native forests. Increased tourism has also been reported in the Tararua District, especially in the small settlement of Balance. However, interviewees suggest the benefits are not thought to be anywhere near as high as in the Manawatu. At this stage, only the Tararua wind farm is toured commercially (by three operators). Taxi drivers are also reported to take visitors to the farm, but infrequently. Based on discussions with the operators and the Palmerston North Visitor Information Office, it is unlikely that the number of visitors joining a commercial tour visiting the wind farm is more than 2,500 per year. Almost half of these are on tours that have the wind farm as a secondary focus (the primary focus being an alternative activity, such as horse trekking or quad biking).
33 Destination Manawatu data 34 http://www.tararua.com/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 66 Rob Greenaway & Associates Of note is group tourism to the Tararua wind farm. It is apparent that groups make up the largest share of the commercial tours market to the wind farm – mainly domestic, and those organised by education providers, student and Rotary bodies and special interest groups. From a tourism business viewpoint, the size of the commercial tourism opportunity created directly by the wind farms is small. Indirectly, however, many people visit the wind farms on a self-drive basis and these self-drivers do generate significant tourism revenue to the region in the way of indirect expenditure. Soon after opening, the Te Apiti wind farm was visited by 170 cars on Sunday 15 August 2004. Estimates are Te Apiti that about 400 cars were visiting the site in the first few weeks of commissioning. Approximately 1200 vehicles visited the site in one weekend over the 2004 Christmas period (Meridian Energy, pers comm.). Meridian Energy was surprised by the interest in the wind farm from the community, and as a result, developed a large site for viewing and parking, with signage, reducing the hazard created by people stopping and looking from the public road. Local communities, such as Ashhurst and Woodville have adopted imagery of the wind farm into cafes and school projects, and it appears on the cover of the 2006 Telecom white pages directory.
Brooklyn wind turbine Tararua Meridian’s Brooklyn wind turbine, located on a high point of Wellington, is comparatively small with an output of 225 kilowatts. The turbine includes an interpretation facility, a large car park and excellent views of the city, harbour and sea. It receives many visitors (estimates vary but conservatively, over 50,000 visitors per year – some say over 200,000) and is included in some sightseeing tours of the city. Members of the Wellington tourism industry interviewed for the West Wind wind farm consent application noted that the wind turbine is, in itself, not the key attraction of the site, but only an ‘identifier’ or a point of interest (TRC 2007). The real attraction is believed to be the views offered from the site, which is very convenient and has excellent car parking. After commissioning, the site was heavily patronised by locals. However, recent indications that the turbine should be removed were generally opposed, as reported in The Dominion Post (7.5.2010): Brooklyn turbine to stay The people have spoken and the result is in – Brooklyn's original wind turbine will stay. The future of the country's first turbine was uncertain when machinery gave out about five
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 67 Rob Greenaway & Associates months ago, but public response as to what should happen was clear – almost. Last month, Meridian Energy asked Wellingtonians whether the turbine should be scrapped, repaired or replaced. Of 2600 votes in a Dominion Post poll, 44.4 per cent wanted the turbine repaired, 40.4 per cent wanted it replaced and 15.2 per cent wanted it scrapped. Spokeswoman Claire Shaw said the decision on the 17-year-old turbine, the country's oldest, had been warmly received at the Meridian office, where 90 per cent of staff wanted it repaired or replaced. The 225-kilowatt experimental turbine, which cost $700,000, was erected by Electricorp. It generated enough power for about 80 homes. Feedback had come from "far and wide", and showed overwhelming support for renewable energy, and wind energy in particular. Ms Shaw said the repair bill of about $100,000 was cheaper than replacing the turbine. "It's been a win all round."
The Brooklyn turbine shows that the Wellington community will use an interpretation site, and does have an interest in wind energy.
New Zealand electricity generation and tourism Visitor centres and tours of some hydro and geothermal stations in New Zealand illustrate that demand for educational information and tours exist, albeit on a small scale. Over time, the level of interest has stabilised, providing demand that makes the current services sustainable. Examples include Meridian Energy’s Benmore Centre, visited by over 6,000 people a year; and Meridian Energy’s underground Lake Manapouri Power Station with 45,000 visitors per year. Both tours are contracted out to independent tourism companies. In the Manawatu, Destination Manawatu reports a positive effect of the turbines east of Palmerston North, and a car park count showed 1200 vehicles at the Te Apiti wind farm visitor area in one weekend in 2004. In comparison, the Manapouri Power Station has around 45,000 visitors annually, and Benmore Power Station 6000 – which is only a little fewer than the number of people who walk the Heaphy Track each year. A ‘Construction Open Day’ for the White Hill wind farm in Southland organised by the local community in February 2007 gained 5000 visitors to see construction underway. This raised $60,000. The combined population of the small nearby towns of Mossburn, Dipton and Lumsden is 750, so the patronage figures indicate that people were willing to travel to see the development. From a recreational event perspective, the inaugural White Hill Wind farm Classic Bike Ride & Run35 in 2009 attracted some 540 competitors. As a result the organisers of this event are intending to make this an annual event. A UMR Research study (UMR 2007) completed for Meridian Energy in 2007, based on a telephone survey of 500 Otago residents, found: When asked to respond to the statement, ‘Wind farms can be tourist attractions’, 36% agreed, 26% disagreed and the remainder were neutral. When asked to respond to the statement with regard to the Project Hayes proposal, ‘It would adversely impact the recreational value of the area’, 24% agreed and 27% disagreed. When asked to respond to the statement with regard to the Project Hayes Proposal, ‘It would be a new attraction for locals and visitors to the region’, 33% agreed and 26% disagreed. In that same study, 14% of respondents were found to be opposed to the Project Hayes proposal, and 2.9% of that group (two people) based that opposition on, ‘adverse impacts on recreational use of land.
35 See: http://www.whitehillclassic.co.nz/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 68 Rob Greenaway & Associates 4.5 United States
Flint Hills Region, Kansas Tallgrass prairie once covered more than 140 million acres of the United States. Now only about four percent remains, much of it in Kansas and the Flint Hills Region. Away from the roads and buildings, Flint Hills looks much like it did 10,000 years ago. A single major wind farm operates in Kansas, southwest of Dodge City, and another is planned for east of Dodge City. Flint Hills remains attractive to developers due to existing transmission lines, and any development would not be in the most sensitive and pristine sections of Flint Hills, and some of the turbines would be on private land. FERMATA Inc, an international nature consulting group, was engaged to evaluate the economic importance of the Tallgrass Prairie Region as a tourism attraction, and how this would be affected by wind farm developments (FERMATA 2005).36 Key points of the case study included: Kansas’s public lands are important to the communities in terms of nature, culture and historical resources; The Tallgrass Prairie Region is one of the last ecosystems of its type; The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is 10,894 acres of rolling grassland located in the heart of the Flint Hills region; The General Management Plan of the Tallgrass National Preserve has the objective of maintaining open and unobstructed views; Kansas lacks powerful tourist attractions; the Flint Hills area is not yet a significant tourism attraction, but holds strong potential for ecotourism; The Flint Hills Byway is a scenic driving route through part of the Flint Hills region, passing the Tallgrass National Preserve. The Byway Corridor Management Plan seeks to conserve the intrinsic resources of the route, and to increase accessibility to recreation areas; A comparison of economic projects of tourism versus wind farm development, suggesting in the long term, a sustainable tourism economy will exceed the value of the short term revenues realised for turbine development; Other highly developed landscapes are more suitable to wind farm development. Development in the Flint Hills area would ‘forever destroy or diminish’ the attributes that make the area special. FERMATA’s ‘compromise’ recommendations were (p31): Placement of wind turbines should be restricted so as to not detract from places of important scenic beauty and heritage value. Potential areas that should be excluded from turbine placement consideration are: National Parks State Parks National Forest and Grasslands Heritage Areas View shed buffers along recreational trails View shed buffer zones along scenic byway Untilled Tallgrass Prairie (one of the most unique and endangered ecosystems in the Kansas Flint Hills region) Once areas of important scenic and heritage value have been identified, wind turbines should be located where there are:
36 http://www.fermatainc.com/kansas/index.html
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 69 Rob Greenaway & Associates Existing communication towers Existing transmission lines Existing industrial installations Other forms of existing structures
North Carolina The following are guidelines provided by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. These guidelines were also referred to in the FERMATA (2005) study of tourism in the Flint Hills:37 Placement of wind turbines should be restricted so as to not detract from places of important scenic beauty. Potential areas that should be excluded from turbine placement consideration are: National Parks State Parks National Forest lands View shed buffers along the Appalachian Trail View shed buffer zones along the Blue Ridge Parkway Spruce-Fir Forest lands (one of the most unique and endangered ecosystems in the Appalachian region) Wind turbines should be located where there are: Existing communication towers Existing transmission lines Other forms of existing structures In relation to tourism, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association reported on a number of data sources common to this review: Large turbines have been found more often to be a positive influence on tourism. The British Wind Energy Association notes that wind farms in the UK are popular tourist attractions, with thousands of people each year flocking to visit them. In Australia, the wind farms are highlighted as one of the attractions for visitors amongst other historical and scenic points of interest. A Scottish study found that nine out of ten tourists visiting some of Scotland's top beauty spots say the presence of wind farms makes no difference to the enjoyment of their holiday, and twice as many people would return to an area because of the presence of a wind farm than would stay away. Yet another survey of more than 300 visitors to Argyll, Scotland found that 91% of visitors said the presence of wind farms in the area made no difference to whether they would return.
37 See: http://www.ncsustainableenergy.org/resources/Why_Wind_and_Myths.pdf. Why Wind Power for North Carolina? A 2003 publication.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 70 Rob Greenaway & Associates 5 Appendix 5: Wairarapa Rally circuit map
Source: http://www.rallywairarapa.co.nz/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 71 Rob Greenaway & Associates 6 Appendix 6: Mokiri Bush access easement
Only relevant sections of easement agreement (EI 6792676.7) and title (CT 223130) included.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 72 Rob Greenaway & Associates
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 73 Rob Greenaway & Associates Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 74 Rob Greenaway & Associates 7 Appendix 7: On-line literature search by location and activity
Names searched: Akitio, Alfredton, Awaroa Forest, Awatoitoi (and Awatoetoe), Bideford, Blairlogie, Carswell, Castlepoint, Dreyers Rock, Eketehuna, Haunui, Ihuraua, Kohiku, Langdale, Makuri, Manawa Road, Mangahao, Mangaone, Mangarei, Mara, Masteron, Mataikona, Mangatiti, Ngaumu Forest, Owhanga, Pahiatua, Pleckville, Pori, Puketoi, Rakaunui, Riversdale, Route 52, Ruamahanga, Tanawa Hut, Tiraumea, Tinui, Waewaepa, Waihoki, Waione, Wairiri Road, Wangaehu, Whakataki, Whareama, Woodville.
Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Overnight Trips. Tautane/Pipi Bank/ Akitio and Owahanga Stations and Castlepoint (2 nights) accom Akitio 4WD http://www.tagalongtours.co.nz/ Tautane Station Shearer’s Quarters The Akitio Community Centre is situated 75 kms east of Dannevirke on a sealed road. The Community Accommod Akitio Centre is a modern building, built in 1995 with excellent facilities. It is on an elevated site, approximately http://tararua.net/akitio/ ation 50 metres from the beach and adjacent to the Akitio Primary School. http://www.nzmotorhome.co.nz/NZMotor Akitio is the beach to go to. Has the rocks, river, and reef. Have spent many a holiday there when the homeForum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=1726 Akitio Camping children were little &p=13261&sid=6f49327d0e3c2dae18d9 629c1f84e86d There are albacore out there, but most are smaller specimens, with only the odd fish up to 10kg. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/fishing/area- Fishing - Akitio However, I have been getting reports from all over of good-sized snapper being taken from Lake Ferry reports/central-nz/3693156/Wairarapa- general to Akitio. April-2010 Akitio river and only 2kms to the Akitio beach. There is an ample lawn suitable for croquet, patanque or tents. The river is great for water skiing, kayaking (flat water), drag netting for flounder or fishing for kahawai at the river mouth. The beach has safe swimming, and is sought after by surfers. Its easy to http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/listing.ph Akitio General launch a long line off the beach and fish seem easy to catch. Should you want to launch a boat, the best p?listingId=210228 place is adjacent the Akitio boat club. For a small fee you can use the Boat club tractor to launch your boat. On a windy day the beach is long enough to have fun with land yachts From Palliser Bay in the south to Akitio in the north, the Wairarapa coast will let you get as close to nature as you dare. It is easy to see how so many ships have been wrecked in this wilderness. You'll Akitio General http://www.destination.co.nz/wairarapa/ find lighthouses, a breeding seal colony, coastal mountains and two well-serviced beach settlements. The fishing is superb and the surf is amongst the best in New Zealand. The untamed coastline from Palliser Bay in the south to Akitio in the north is raw in energy and rich in Maori mythology. South Wairarapa is a superb place to experience rural New Zealand. Rich in Maori http://www.wrs.govt.nz/important_links/s Akitio General and European heritage, this is a living land with wild, untamed coastlines; while long hot summers and outh_wairarapa/ stony ground give birth to world-famous Martinborough wines Sight http://www.diamondtourswairarapa.co.nz Akitio Akitio - See the beautiful reef seeing /services.htm http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php?i Alfredton Camping Alfredton Domain. SH52, Alfredton, west of Eketahuna. Alfredton Domain Chairperson (06) 375 844 d=1081 http://www.visualisethefuture.com/Caran Alfredton Camping Campervan Club Rally. Alfredton rally: All roads lead to Alfredton. Follow the signs from Pahiatua or atta%20pdf/AUG%2009%20caranatta%
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 75 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Eketahuna . we are staying at the Alfredton hall which is just past the school on the Masterton Road 20web.pdf http://www.latestinfo.wga.co.nz/WGA_Cl Alfredton Golf Golf Club, Route 52, Alfredton Village ubDetails.pdf Alfredton Golf Club , Open Mar.-mid-Nov. Testing, pretty 9 holes, best in Autumn & Spring. Sheep http://www.kiwiplanet.co.nz/masterton/go Alfredton Golf grazed fairways, fenced greens lf.html http://www.sportwellington.org.nz/assets/ Horse - Alfredton Alfredton Pony Club Rosemary McGhie 375 8676 Wairarapa/Getting-Active/Sports-Guide- Other Sept-09.pdf http://www.nzpca.org/new/areas/waw/no Horse - Alfredton Alfredton horse sports tices/Wairarapa%20area%20calendar% Other 202009.pdf http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/ Horse – Start at the bottom - Wellington to Alfredton. Taranki Route. Trekking. Map of long ride through the search?q=cache:ZvLcYWnKrpgJ:www.f Alfredton Other North Island. ourbeatstofreedom.net/route-maps- 3.htm+alfredton http://www.silver- Alfredton Motor biking Trail Ride…650 Castle Hill Road, Alfredton bullet.co.nz/event.php?id=6929 Pongaroa – Alfredton. Planning a backroad cruise over Easter and would like to know if the direct route http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showt Alfredton Motor biking from Pongaroa to Alfredton is still unsealed (via Tiraumea)- as indicated by the AA District Map?? hread.php/9947-Pongaroa-Alfredton Bushriders ''Bush Bash'' 4 hour Cross Country – Alfredton. This was the second year running of this event and Bushriders did yet another good job of running the event, the track was farmland with some http://www.adamreeves.co.nz/print.php? Alfredton Motor biking tree sections thrown in as well, Paul Whibley had done his best to try and replicate a GNCC in a section news.16 of pines that he marked. This was a refreshing change to have some tight tree's and everyone I talked to after the race seemed to enjoy it. http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Alfredton Rugby Rugby Club Rooms, Alfredton Road, Eketahuna nformation.php?info_id=7 Accommod http://www.zenbu.co.nz/entry/1159324- Bideford Jaydees lavender lifestyle. Accommodation 78b Te Ore Ore Bideford Rd, Bideford, Masterton ation jaydees-lavender-lifestyle http://www.pnp.org.nz/news/club/2007- Bideford Cycling The race will be starting at Bideford Road, 2k east from Masterton on the Castlepoint Road 09-24/ Horse - http://www.fourbeatstofreedom.net/journ Bideford Bideford to Waimapu Station, trekking 15 km trekking ey.htm We went over to Masterton, gassed up and then headed out on the Castlepoint Road then peeled off http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showt onto highway 52 but then went straight ahead to Bideford instead of taking 52 up to Alfredton. The hread.php/63917-I-did-Mt-Marchant- Bideford Motor biking reason for that is there is a nice bit of gravel between Bideford and 52 to the North. We stopped at again-this-time-with-my-Bro-tho-no- Bideford Hall for a quick swig of our drinks and that is where my photos start. chooks-in-sight.?p=1360507 Beautiful gardens to visit at Dursley – Bideford, ph: 06 372 4804 fax: 06 372 4874 [email protected] http://www.gardens.co.nz/gardenstovisit/ Bideford Sightseeing Sulphur wells – Bideford, ph: 06 372 4815 fax: 06 372 4860 Masterton.htm
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 76 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference In 1916 Alfred Buxton designed the garden, then known as Te Rangi Pai. The name was changed to Dursley in the 1930s, but the lines of Buxton’s landscaping are still apparent today….From Masterton, http://www.friarsgardens.co.nz/garden.p Bideford Sightseeing turn east off SH 2 into Castlepoint Rd. Turn left into SH 52, then up Bideford Valley, past Te Roto hp?id=46 garden. Dursley on left. 18 minutes from Masterton. Dursley Gardens….From Masterton turn east off SH2 onto Te Ore Ore Road towards Castlepoint. Turn http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Bideford Sightseeing left into SH52, then up Bideford Valley, past Te Roto garden. Dursley is on the left. Cottage style garden /assets/Wairarapa%20Gardens.pdf and lillies etc Hundreds of lillies of 15–20 varieties including Turk’s-cap lilies (L. martagon) feature throughout the woodland area, and a very large clump of California “tree” poppies (Romneya coulteri) is striking when in full bloom. Three herbaceous borders are sited to provide views from the house. When the http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=garden Bideford Sightseeing Callaghans took over the garden in 1972 they removed seven truckloads of debris before beginning to s recover the garden area around the flowing driveway. Care has been taken not to plant out the panoramic views to the hills, appreciated from the seats which abound for visitors to sit and listen to the birds in the quiet, tranquil atmosphere. Accommod Blairlogie Homestead (www.wairarapa.co.nz/blairlogie)…An historic homestead set on 25 acres of http://www.nzs.com/region/wairarapa/tra Blairlogie ation woodland and gardens in the Wairarapa between Masterton and Riversdale vel/accommodation/bed-and-breakfast/ Sight http://assets3.zenbu.co.nz/entry/117307 Blairlogie Awatoitoi homestead, Historic Place: Category 1, Blairlogie Road, Blairlogie seeing 4-awatoitoi-homestead Riversdale Beach Camping Ground Riversdale Beach Road Riversdale Beach R D 12 Masterton, http://www.zipleaf.co.nz/Companies/Rive Blairlogie Camping Blairlogie, rsdale-Beach-Camping-Ground Tora Coastal walk … DISTANCE: 13.3km - 19.3km or 6 - 7hrs….. Cross the stile and turn hard right up http://www.toracoastalwalk.co.nz/NewPa Blairlogie Walking the hill to the bush gate. Follow the track through the bush until you reach Blairlogie Junction. ges/DayOneV3.htm Welcome to Castlepoint Holiday Park and Motels. Castlepoint is a small township set in a dramatic Accommod seaside environment just 64km from Masterton. Castlepoint has a fossil-rich limestone reef, safe sandy Castlepoint http://www.castlepoint.co.nz/ ation beaches and features the stunning 162m high Castle Rock, one of the most spectacular sights along the Wairarapa coast. http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/for- A seaside settlement less than an hour drive from Masterton, Castlepoint is well known for its lighthouse Accommod rent/new-zealand/north- Castlepoint and annual informal beach race meeting dating back to the 19th century. Also popular for its reef sea ation island/wellington-manawatu- fishing. wairarapa/castle-point Castlepoint holiday park…n avenue of tall palms leads into the camp, which is situated right on a safe http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php?i Castlepoint Camping beach, protected by the outcrop of Castlepoint rock and lighthouse. d=429 http://acta.org.nz/1002wairap/pix100221. Castlepoint Cycling Auckland cycle touring club – Masterton to Castlepoint htm It is with much regret the 2008 Beach Races have been abandoned due to recent changes in beach conditions at Castlepoint. The last few weeks have seen sand washed off the beach, exposing rocks http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2008/mar/ Castlepoint Event and making racing unsafe. As disappointed as we are, we look forward to the return of the sand in time masterton/castlepoint-beach-race-day for the March 2009 Races. We would also like to thank you for your interest. Here's to the 2009 Castlepoint Races.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 77 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Castlepoint beach races…The historic beach races date back to 1872 when local station hands competing on farm hacks would compete for bottles of rum and any stray coins. However in recent times the races have progressed into a unique family day out with the emphasis on entertainment and picnicking. Thoroughbreds have replaced farm hacks and it’s not unusual to see the usually quiet sea http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=3 Castlepoint Event side settlement bustling with people carrying umbrellas, picnic hampers, deck chairs and chilly-bins all 50&t=0&id=47481 enjoying the day and the spectacular vista which includes the Castlepoint lighthouse. “This is one of the most unique races in the country where the sea wall becomes the guard rail and the horses’ rail is the waters edge,” said Mrs Blyth. There’s a quaint laid back atmosphere reminiscent of the old days and old fashioned games like a tug of war and three legged races for the kids.” Family Day is an annual event held 27th December. This charity fundraiser sees the community come together and offer children’s entertainment with a small firework display. • Horse races have been run on Castlepoint beach since the late 19th century – a time for the hardworking rural communities to http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Castlepoint Events socialise. Today’s races are still a great social occasion with children’s entertainment and families /assets/CpointRiversdale.pdf picnicking along the length of the race-track. Races are on 8 March 2008. • The 13th Annual Castlepoint Fishing Competition, 12-13 January 2008: • 2007 Superfish competition, Friday 1st - 3rd February. Over $15,000 of prizes. Weigh-in at 4pm each day. Fishing – Charter a boat for a sea-fishing adventure or find a corner on the reef to drop in your line, be cautious of http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Castlepoint general sudden wave surges on the reef. Bait is available for sale at the Castlepoint Store. /assets/CpointRiversdale.pdf Fishing – Castlepoint New Zealand east coast Salt Water Fishing Charters, operating out of Castlepoint, Masterton http://www.legionaire-charters.co.nz/ General http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/for Fishing – Going out with legionaire charters on a trip this weekend out of castle point. Obviously things are going Castlepoint um_posts.asp?TID=47764&title=castlep General to get mighty competitive with 20 guys fishing over 2 days. oint-hapuka Castlepoint in the Wairarapa on the North Island of New Zealand is a stunning place to holiday where the wide open ocean spans for miles on one side of the cliffs and a tranquil lagoon fills the other. Atop the cliffs, many local fishermen and vacationers spend hours casting their lines into the Pacific Ocean hoping for the catch of the day, a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by many. These fishermen are http://www.new-zealand- Fishing – prepared with coolers in tow carrying necessities they may need while fishing off the Castlepoint cliffs. pictures.co.nz/castlepoint-fishing-cliffs- Castlepoint General Other types of wildlife seen from these cliffs are various species of seabirds, fur seals and known wairarapa-north-island-new-zealand- sightings of sea elephants and sea leopards. Coastal fishing is something many traveling to Castlepoint 105-pictures.htm in the Wairarapa, New Zealand try while enjoying their time at this luxurious beach resort. Others like to wander along these rock formations and enjoy the spectacular scenery which encompasses Castlepoint. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes, and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. As well as protecting outstanding landforms, the reserve is the only location in the world of a rare shrubby daisy. Castlepoint daisy Brachyglottis compactus grows only on the crumbled limestone of the reef and Castle General http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and- Rock. Frequently visited by several species of dolphin, as well as fur seals, and occasionally small recreation/places-to- Castlepoint Fishing/ whale species, the reserve is also home to numerous sea birds. White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, visit/wellington/wairarapa/castlepoint- swimming/ and black shags inhabit the south end of the reef, and reef herons and black-backed gulls nest on the scenic-reserve/ walking sheer cliffs of Castle Rock. Activities: - Fishing - The reef is a popular fishing spot. - Swimming - The lagoon and beach are popular for swimming. - Walking - There are several walks suitable for most age and fitness levels in and around the scenic reserve. All walks begin at the roadend carpark.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 78 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Remember those hot summer days in childhood visiting the coast? Soft sand, a warm lagoon, a reef with whirling seabirds, hidden caves and rock pools. Relive them at Castlepoint – an hour's drive east of Masterton in the Wairarapa. You need to get up early to revel in the pink dawn glow sweeping across http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/MustDo_C Castlepoint General the Castlepoint Lighthouse, before strolling barefoot along the sandy tidal wash. Find a hollow on the astlepoint.html reef and look out for a seal, dolphin or little blue penguin. Watch the fishing boats navigate the tricky 'Gap' into the calm waters of the lagoon to unload their catch on the wharf. You can always charter your own fishing trip… With its giant limestone reef, lighthouse and landmark Castle Rock, Castlepoint is Wairarapa’s most spectacular beach. According to Maori legend, Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator, chased an octopus into hiding here. For years this was Wairarapa’s main port, and fishing boats still shelter in the http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=node/2 Castlepoint General lagoon. The town has a holiday home atmosphere, with the local store acting as service station, 6 restaurant, dairy and bar. Riversdale, with its long sandy beach, has been a family resort for more than 50 years. There’s good swimming, surfing, fishing and a friendly golf course. Both beaches are about an hour’s drive from Masterton along sealed country roads. Beach settlement 69 km north-east of Masterton. Castlepoint is famous for its lighthouse, annual horse races on the beach, and 160-metre-high Castle Rock. It is popular for holidays and fishing, and has a http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa- Castlepoint General safe swimming beach and tidal lagoon. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes and Castle Rock form the places/4 Castlepoint scenic reserve. Dolphins and fur seals often visit, and the reserve is home to white-fronted terns, red-billed gulls and black shags. It is also the only location of the rare Castlepoint daisy http://www.tourism.net.nz/new- Castlepoint is a popular beach resort with a scenic reserve and awesome coastal panoramas. It has a zealand/about-new- Castlepoint General shop, motor camp and self contained accommodation zealand/attractions/coastal- highlights/castlepoint-beach-resort.html The windswept beach at Castlepoint is the perfect place to relax and clear your head. This sandy beach is part of a long, rugged coastline, broken up by rocky headlands. Castle Rock is magnificent and towers 162m high at the end of the beach. On top stands the lighthouse, overlooking the tumbling Pacific Ocean. It was built in 1913 and makes for a great coastal photo. There is plenty to enjoy at http://www.jasons.com/New- Castlepoint General Castlepoint. A walk across the reef to the lighthouse is the perfect way to enjoy the scenery; there is Zealand/Castlepoint/ also a longer walk to a limestone cave. Other activities in the area are horse riding, walking, jetboating, surfing, swimming, canoeing and fishing. If you're keen for a round of golf, the local 9-hole course has amazing coastal views. Castlepoint, 65 km east of Masterton, is a summer retreat amidst dramatic lagoon and lighthouse scenery where soul-uplifting and mind-clearing walks are de rigueur. The sandy beaches and craggy headlands, mark the only significant break in 300 km of desolate, wind-battered coastline from Cape http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/mastert Castlepoint General Palliser to Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay. There is holiday park and motel accommodation and a on/nearby-towns.html daytime cafe. A branch road leads to the happy hamlet of Riversdale, an equally popular summer getaway. There is plenty to enjoy at Castlepoint. You can walk across the reef to the lighthouse and see the coastline from a new perspective and there is also a longer walk to a limestone cave. Fossick amongst http://www.castlepoint.co.nz/Presentatio Castlepoint General hidden rock pools and look for wildlife such as seals, whirling sea birds, dolphins and the odd penguin. Take time to explore the scenic reserve and the winding back roads of Castlepoint station….Other n/Presentation1.aspx?IDType=2360 activities in the area are walking, jet-boating, surfing, swimming, canoeing and fishing. Fishing charters are in abundance here and there are plenty of great surf-casting and rock fishing spots as well as diving
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 79 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference for paua and crayfish. If you're keen for a round of golf, the local 9-hole course has amazing coastal views. Castlepoint is a small beachside settlement on the Wairarapa coast north-east of Masterton. Castlepoint is famous for its lighthouse, annual horse races on the beach, and 160-metre-high Castle Rock. It is popular for holidays and fishing, and has a safe swimming beach and tidal lagoon. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes, and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. The staggering geography has http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/castl Castlepoint General been shaped by high winds whipping at the limestone. The area is frequently visited by dolphin and epoint-new-zealand small whales. Fur seals can be often found jumping up onto the rocks. The Scenic Reserve is the only location in the world of a rare shrubby daisy, Castlepoint daisy Brachyglottis compactus. The Castlepoint lighthouse began operating in 1913. It is New Zealand’s third highest lighthouse, and sends three flashes every 45 seconds, visible for 30 kilometres. Castlepoint is a popular beach resort with a scenic reserve and awesome coastal panoramas. A trip to the lighthouse will reward you with stunning views over the whole coastline. From Wellington it is a 2½ Castlepoint General http://www.jigsawmag.co.nz/castlepoint/ hour drive to Castlepoint which will take you through the Wairarapa region, famous for its beauty and wineries Soft sand, a warm lagoon, a reef with whirling seabirds, hidden caves, fossils ...re-live childhood adventure at Castlepoint. …Experience the pink glow of dawn across the lighthouse, or wait for the http://www.magazinenz.com/nz/destinati beam to blink into action over a sundowner at the Castlepoint Store. Have a ‘wind in your hair’ walk to on/show.aspx?country=nz&unit=n_waira Castlepoint General Castle Rock for stunning views along the coast. Watch the fishing boats return and the surfers head out. rapa&doc=4&desc=Castlepoint_Wairara Charter a fishing boat yourself or drop a line from the reef – if all else fails a fish supper from the pa Whakataki Hotel will have to do http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Castlepoint Golf Visitors welcome at this nine-hole course. Castlepoint Golf Club 06 372 6833 /assets/CpointRiversdale.pdf http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Commerc The lighthouse is accessible to the public. It can be reached on foot from the Castle Point township. ial/Shipping-safety/Aids-to- Castlepoint Heritage There is no public access to enter this lighthouse. Castle Point is a popular daytrip from Wellington navigation/Lighthouses-of-NZ/Castle- Point-lighthouse.asp http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/document Castlepoint’s lighthouse is the first sign of landfall for Wellington-bound ships from Panama and s/about-doc/concessions-and- Castlepoint Heritage America. Since its first night of operation on 12 January, 1913, the lighthouse has become a Wairarapa permits/conservation- icon, recognised throughout New Zealand and the shipping world. revealed/castlepoint-lowres.pdf Since I haven’t been over the Castlepoint thought a nice Sunday cruise would be in order (weather http://www.mcrides.co.nz/index.php?sho Castlepoint Motorbiking permitting). Meet Ashhurst Mobil at 9am wtopic=20544 Castlepoint, 45 minutes’ drive east of Masterton, in the northern Wairarapa, is a land mellowed by the Sight sea, a ruggedly gentle beachscape at ease with nature’s moods…. here’s a hint of flash houses http://www.tikitouring.co.nz/wairarapa- Castlepoint seeing appearing on the hills but thus far at least they don’t bother the beautiful relief of white sand, rolling coast-castlepoint.htm dunes, breath-taking walkways and a lighthouse standing stoicly against the march of time Sight Castlepoint is a popular beach resort with a scenic reserve and awesome coastal panoramas. http://new- Castlepoint seeing Riversdale Beach is a great place for swimming and surfing. Both beaches are big on scenery. zealand.tourism.net.nz/nz/Castlepoint Castlepoint Walking Castle Hill Point tramp - Length of tramp: 3.4 km http://www.trampingtracks.co.nz/castle-
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 80 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference point-hill-tramp-wellington.html There are two popular walks at the road end, an area protected as the Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. The Lighthouse Walk begins on a board walk, continues over a reef and along a formed track to the lighthouse. It can be windy en route but the views along the coast are spectacular. The walk takes around 30-40 minutes and is moderately easy. The Castlepoint Lighthouse’s rotating beam was the first sign of landfall for Wellington-bound ships from Panama and America. Since its first night of operation on January 12, 1913, the lighthouse and its beam have become a Wairarapa icon, recognised throughout New Zealand and the shipping world. The Deliverance Cove Track begins close to the http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Castlepoint Walking small church at the road’s end, takes you up through pines and onto open land, ending at the Castle /assets/CpointRiversdale.pdf Rock outcrop. The views are worth the effort. The track is moderate and takes around 1½ hours to return. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes and Castle Rock form the Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. Dolphins and fur seals often visit, and the reserve is home to white-fronted terns, red-billed gulls and black shags. It is also the only location of the unique Castlepoint Daisy and Castlepoint Moth. The dunes are home to rare Katipo Spiders and skinks, to ensure the survival of these fragile eco-systems visitors are asked to walk on established paths and to keep vehicles and horses off the dunes. Improvements are being made to Wairarapa’s most popular walkway the Castlepoint Lighthouse Track http://www.vorb.org.nz/rimutaka-incline- and the favourite cycleway/ walkway the Rimutaka Incline. Stories of Castlepoint’s history and Castlepoint Walking and-castlepoint-track-improvements- biodiversity will be told through signage along a resealed lighthouse track, and seating is being provided t96163.html at rest areas along the track. Castlepoint’s beaches are patrolled in the summer months. It is a popular surfing spot, pick up the free Water http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Castlepoint Destination Wairarapa ‘Surfing - Fact Sheet’ from the Masterton or Martinborough i-SITE. Castlepoint is sports /assets/CpointRiversdale.pdf also popular with divers, jet skiers, sea canoeists and body boarders. http://wellingtonboardriders.com/2009/12 Castlepoint Watersports Castlepoint Surfing Contest 2-3 Jan – Wellington boardriders /29/castlepoint-surfing-contest-2-3-jan/ Male fur seals that have not managed to hold a territory to breed, along with immature males, gather as Castlepoint Wildlife bachelors at haul-out (resting) sites for most of the year. This site is at Castle Point, south of Hawke's http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/seals/5/2 Bay. Castlepoint is one of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline. Long stretches of beach and a sheltered lagoon provide opportunity for a variety of water-based recreational activities, and the area has a rich natural history. The reef, lagoon, sand dunes, and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. As well as protecting outstanding landforms, the reserve is the only location in the http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/document world where the rare Castlepoint daisy grows. The shrubby daisy grows only on the crumbled limestone s/about-doc/concessions-and- Castlepoint Wildlife of the reef and Castle Rock. The reserve is also home to New Zealand’s only endemic, poisonous permits/conservation- spider, the katipo. Restoration work to preserve native dune plants including spinifex, pïngao and sand revealed/castlepoint-lowres.pdf daphne is also underway in the scenic reserve. Several species of dolphin, numerous seabirds, fur seals, and occasionally small whale species can be seen off the coast of the reserve. White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, and black shags inhabit the south end of the reef, and reef herons and black- backed gulls nest on the sheer cliffs of Castle Rock. drive out to Castlepoint on the coast is worthwhile. The road goes by Blairlogie and Tinui and is fairly http://www.ecotours.co.nz/Brian/wildlife/ Castlepoint Wildlife winding so don’t rush it. Castlepoint is the only settlement of any size along the entire length of coast between Cape Palliser and Cape Kidnappers. This is an area of great natural beauty with golden wellington/castlepoint.htm beaches, wild surf and striking headlands. Cook himself named Castlepoint for its fancied resemblance
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 81 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference to the crenellated castles of Europe, but erosion has worked its inevitable course and today it bears little resemblance to what Cook saw. Castlepoint has a number of things to interest the naturalist. Firstly, it is home to a very rare plant. A daisy, Senecio compactus, is found only here in a small, signposted reserve. Unlike a number of our plant rarities, which are modest in appearance, this is an attractive plant with thick greygreen leaves and large yellow flowers which would grace any garden. The coast also supports a rich variety of seabirds, and even a greater frigate bird has been collected at Castlepoint. Fur seals occur at various places, and the occasional sea elephant and sea leopard have turned up. If you find either of these animals treat them with a great deal of respect as they are fairly fractious. Dreyers Martinborough to Waipukarau….Passing through: Martinborough, Millers Road, Masterton, Te Ore Ore, http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/1 Cycling Rock Whangaehu, Dreyers Rock… 78/region/4721/city/6593 Dreyers Tour of the Wairarapa….The 50km ride is an out and back course through Wangaehu Valley, turning http://www.tourofthewairarapa.com/defa Cycling Rock around at Dreyers Rock. ult.asp?PageID=9749 Dreyers Nireaha to Carterton, 15 February, 2010, Shortly after passing Dreyers Rock (we did not actually find http://acta.org.nz/1002wairap/pix100215. Cycling Rock any rock) we had morning tea while waiting for a peleton to pass. htm http://www.pnp.org.nz/news/club/IR1201 The race will start on Bideford Rd (instructions will be available at the clubrooms) and head to Alfredton Dreyers 0/?- Cycling and returning via Dreyers Rock Road to finish on Rangitumau Rd. This is a fast flat course of 80k with Rock session=pnpv4:42F9447A052da210A0iv one climb over Dreyers Rock to sort out your legs. T213E341 Dreyers http://www.wvcc.org.nz/staticinfo/startlin Cycling TWO DAY TRAINING TOUR OF THE WAIRARAPA…Dreyers Rock… Rock e/sl012000/issue5pages7-14.pdf Dreyers …cut around Masterton and headed off on the Alfredton road, turning at the Dreyers Rock corner and http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Cycling Rock returning to Masterton via Mauriceville. e/index.php/t-7758.html Dreyers From here we normally go out through Te Ore Ore but for a bit of variation we opted to ride up SH2 to http://www.ulysses.org.nz/wellington/ma Motorbiking Rock Opaki, then out through Dreyers Rock via Mauriceville g/Wgtn_Mag.pdf Edan Log House, Location: 533 Mangaroa Road, RD6, Eketahuna. Venture into the hills on horseback http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Accommod Eketahuna with Ann and you will be treated to magnificent views over the Atea Valley and beyond. Eddie has a nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db ation lifetime of experience in hunting and fishing. Trips arranged on request Trips arranged on request. 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 Accommod http://www.bnb.co.nz/wairarapa/results/li Eketahuna B&B & Licensed restaurant and separate self catering cottage. Address: 31 Alfredton Road, Eketahuna ation sting_details.html?lid=4093 http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/for- Accommod Eketahuna - Mt Bruce, Wellington / Manawatu / Wairarapa, One bedroom cottage overlooking the rent/new-zealand/north- Eketahuna ation Makakahi River. Close to art and craft, golf course, gardens, swimming, fishing and bush walks. island/wellington-manawatu- wairarapa/eketahuna-mt-bruce/ Glenross Backpackers Lodge, Eketahuna. Experience the tranquility of rural New Zealand hill Accommod http://www.nzonline.org.nz/glenrossback Eketahuna country….Feel free to walk, mountain bike or picnic amongst the sheep and cattle or watch current on- ation packerslodgeeketahuna.htm farm activities Our restaurant and en suite bed and breakfast lies at the Southern end of the Tararua Ranges in North Accommod Eketahuna Wairarapa, ideally situated between Wellington and Napier, just off State Highway 2 in Eketahuna. ….. http://www.brookfieldslodge.co.nz/ ation Tararua National Park, Pukaha Mount Bruce, Eketahuna Golf Course, and the Tui brewery are on the doorstep as well as some of the best trout fishing in the country. For children of all ages, the nearby
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 82 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference middleton model railway is 10 minutes away. There are also a variety of private gardens to visit and local artists showcasing their work. The camping ground has road access from Stout Street which is off Stanly Street, Eketahuna. It is a http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Eketahuna Camping pretty spot with mature trees surrounded by a loop of the Makakahi River. There are many picnic spots nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db and easy access to the river which under normal conditions is perfect for paddling and swimming. 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 Eketahuna motor camp – a lovely rustic campsite with a “backblocks” flavour. Situated on the banks of http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php?i Eketahuna Camping the Makakahi Stream, it offers lots of pleasantly private campsites amongst masses of pine and gum d=427 trees. The Makakahi, Mangatainoka, Makuri, Mangahao and the Manawatu offer good Fly fishing for the keen http://www.beds-n- Eketahuna Fishing Trout Anglers. With Swiss style cabins located at the Camping Ground surrounded by River, don't pass leisure.com/eketah2.htm up a flick, you can stay awhile and catch a big one. Eddie is a very keen outdoorsman and keen hunting guide who enjoys helping organize fishing, hunting http://www.nzfishing.com/Accommodatio Fishing – or tramping adventures. Fly fish local or more distant North Island streams and lakes. After a days Eketahuna n/WGTNAccom/EdanLogHouse/EdanLo general fishing, treat yourself to a spa bath, a real country brew and your catch cooked on a traditional wood gHouse.htm stove There are good hunting spots in the region, as well as fishing and hiking and the Mt Bruce Wildlife http://www.jasons.com/New- Eketahuna General Centre lies just to the south. Zealand/Eketahuna/ A picturesque well-maintained 18 hole golf course bordered on the western side by the Makakahi River. Eketahuna Golf http://tararua.net/eketahuna.html The fees are are $10 per round and the course has featured many times on TV One's The Golf Show. Have you tried a country Golf Club. If you haven't then you have missed the experience of the country http://www.beds-n- Eketahuna Golf life. Playing amongst what New Zealand is well known for, Sheep. Just another reason to stay and visit leisure.com/eketah2.htm Eketahuna Golf Club. http://www.gopher.co.nz/listing/3k2u/new Eketahuna Golf Cross over the road for a game of golf at what is a very nicely groomed country golf course. -zealand/eketahuna-hotel.html Eketahuna and Districts Early Settlers Museum, Location: The Old School, Bengston Street, Eketahuna The Museum has a varied and interesting collection of clothing and artefacts from a bygone era. Members meet on the 4th Monday of every second month. Annual subscription $10, life members $50. Kaiparoro Historic House Museum, Location: Approximately 9.5 km south of Eketahuna on State http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Highway 2 (follow signs on road to New Pacific Studio)… open for 45 - minute guided tours on Fridays - Eketahuna Heritage nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db Sundays from 2 - 4 pm. It is located in the historic concrete villa of Normandell, which was built in 1911 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 for Yorkshire clockmaker Christopher Burton. The property remained in the Burton family for eighty years. It now houses New Pacific Studio an international residency programme for artists, writers and environmentalists. It also acts as an archive for the local community, with a special focus on the communities of Kaiparoro, Rongokokako and Eketahuna. To catch a real bit of New Zealand's early settlers and the rural days of long ago, stop off at the Pioneer Museum for many historic wonders. Hand Milking a Cow may have been the way of the past but a http://www.beds-n- Eketahuna Heritage "Peddle operated milking machine", would even go down well with some of New Zealand's modern leisure.com/eketah2.htm Lifestyler's. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ Eketahuna Heritage Eketahuna war memorial eketahuna-war-memorial
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 83 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Early Settlers Museum - This museum is located in the first school that was built in Eketahuna in 1890. http://www.jasons.com/New- Eketahuna Heritage A visit to the museum is a great way to discover the history of the area. There is an excellent display of Zealand/Eketahuna/things-to-do memorabilia, photographs, costumes and artefacts. Steam Excursion Train Experience - "The Eketahuna Express" Start: 9 Jan 2010 - 12:45pm End: 9 Jan http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=event/st Eketahuna Heritage 2010 - 2:50pm A special chance to experience main line steam train travel! Travel one way between eam-excursion-train-experience- Eketahuna & Masterton by heritage train and the other way by connecting bus. eketahuna-express Horse Horse treks certainly take the strain out of visiting the outback of Eketahuna. Trekking the Atea Valley or http://www.beds-n- Eketahuna trekking the bush clad highlands of the Tararua's will be an experience you may never forget. leisure.com/eketah2.htm http://www.1bbweb.com/new_zealand/w Mt Donald Enjoy, farm tours and walks on our 1200 acre sheep/beef property, trout fishing and kayaking, Eketahuna airarapa/eketahuna/mountdonaldfarmsta farm stay renowned Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Golf at our local 18 hole course, friendly honest hospitality y.html http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Alfredton Domain, A pretty picnic spot under the trees, toilets and water available. Overnight camping is Eketahuna Picnic nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db allowed, a donation appreciated. 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Newman Domain is a pretty spot by the Makakahi River with a large grass area, bush and trees, ideal Eketahuna Picnic nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db for picnics and swimming. Visit by prior arrangement, owing to stock grazing. 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 Cliff Walk - The historic cliff walk, opened in 1911, begins by the bridge on Bridge Street, Eketahuna. It is a pretty, scenic walk along the cliff above the Makakahi River. Approximately 15 minutes easy walking brings you to a junction with Stanly Street, another 15 - 20 minutes walk takes you to the Eketahuna Camping Ground. You can return by the same track or follow the road from the camping ground, along Stanly Street and back to town. W.A. Miller Scenic Reserve is approximately 8.5 km south of Eketahuna on State Highway 2, where a small pocket of bush has been reserved for public http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Eketahuna Walking enjoyment. You can stop for a picnic or you might like to follow the loop track which is an easy walk of nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db approximately 20 minutes passing through the bush and by the river returning to the rest area where 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 you started from. Mount Bruce Lookout Walk - Allow an hour to reach the lookout where you will have a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. This track is quite steep in places and good walking shoes are advisable and perhaps a drink. Coming down the same way can take a lot less time, perhaps half an hour. There are other longer forest walks leading from this track, and also pest eradication in progress, so make sure children are supervised at all times. Tararua Forest Park - Walking, tramping, fishing, hunting approximately 20 km west of Eketahuna http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i township. There is access to the Tararua Forest Park at the end of the scenic Putara Road. Turn down Eketahuna Walking nformation.php?osCsid=df27d490c86db Bridge Street in the centre of Eketahuna township, follow till it turns into High Street, travel up High 49c715d8d8c871cefa7&info_id=1 Street about 1 km then turn right at Septimus Street (sign posted to Putara). Walks - There are some good walks in the area, including a 20 minute cliff walk beside the Makakahi http://www.jasons.com/New- Eketahuna Walking River. There is a longer hike you can do through the Putara Valley and the Tararua Ranges. Zealand/Eketahuna/things-to-do Rare and endangered native birds reside here at one of the countries leading National Wildlife centres. The Birds are breed to help prevent their extinction. Take time to stroll through the primeval rainforest, http://www.beds-n- Eketahuna Wildlife Visit the education centre featuring displays and audio visuals, stop for a picnic or just take a cuppa at leisure.com/eketah2.htm the tearooms. Only a short drive south of Eketahuna.
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 84 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre - This is the center for conservation of endangered wildlife and environmental http://www.jasons.com/New- Eketahuna Wildlife education. Here, you can view rare wildlife that can no longer be viewed on mainland New Zealand Zealand/Eketahuna/things-to-do Haunui 4WD Ormondville to Tiraumea - Northern Wairarapa 4 x 4 Scenic WEEKEND http://www.tagalongtours.co.nz/trips.html Visit Three Tiraumea Gardens Otapawa Haunui Road, Tiraumea, Gold Coin Donation, Ph 06 376 7250 Contact Marlene and Donald Robbie. Lovely expansive country garden, Picnics, walks, swimming, fishing and accommodation available. Dara's Garden Haunui Road, Tiraumea Cost Gold Coin Donation, http://www.iwairarapa.co.nz/events- Haunui Event Ph 06 376 7765, Contact Dara and Douglas Robbie Attractive smaller country garden to visit. Balmoral past.htm Garden State Highway 52, Tiraumea Cost Gold Coin Donation Ph 06 376 7226 Contact Viv and Ross White. Martinborough to Waipukarau….Passing through: Martinborough, Millers Road, Masterton, Te Ore Ore, http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/1 Ihuraua Cycling Whangaehu, Dreyers Rock, Ihuarua… 78/region/4721 http://www.times- The popular annual Ihuraua event, run by the Wairarapa Car Club and attracting 35 entries, turned into Ihuraua Motor sport age.co.nz/sport/news/top-2wd-cars-in- a real slugfest between the top four two-wheel-drive cars, clerk of the course Lee Hutchby said. ding-dong-battle/3626106/ http://www.seabrightmotorsport.co.nz/Do Ihuraua Motor sport Wairarapa Car Club…The event will be held at Barton’s Line, Ihuraua wnloads/Bartons%20Line%20Regs%20 2010.pdf http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Ihuraua Motorbiking The weather had started to improve, and we only had slight drizzle when we arrived in Ihuraua. e/index.php/t-40373.html http://www.hccc.org.nz/index.php?modul Ihuraua Motorsport Rally Springt….the event will be held at Barton’s Line, Ihuraua e=calendar&date=1265537525&view=da y southern Wairarapa…And from there to Ihuraua to join with the, then, main highway from Wairarapa to Heretaunga, Mahia and Nukutaurua, the landing place of Kurahaupo and Takitimu canoes. From Sight http://www.eketahunakiwicountry.co.nz/i Ihuraua Ihuraua the people could get to Te Oreore and then to the lakes and Cape Palliser (Matakitaki-a Kupe) seeing nformation.php?info_id=8 and the eastern and southern coastal areas by the river Ruamahanga…From Ihuraura they could go to Patitapu Nga Puka, Waitawhiti then east to Heretaunga or down to the Alfredton area (Maroa) Kohiku No entries The Gran Fondo Masterton is a challenging Cyclo sportive bike tour providing cyclists of all ability levels an opportunity to participate in NZ's inaugural Gran Fondo. This unique, non massed start and non Langdale Cycling competitive event is based on the extremely popular European Gran Fondo model; it has quickly proved http://www.cyclosport.co.nz/news/gran/ popular in the UK and throughout Europe….Route Two: Fondo: Langdale route 80.61km Horse Wairarapa CTR and Endurance - Upcoming Rides… October 7-8 PIRINOA Endurance Training: 80, 40, http://watrc.wellington.net.nz/watrc- Langdale trekking 25 km…October 29 LANGDALE news/news-83-watrc-22-sep-2006.pdf http://caving.wellington.net.nz/pmwiki/pm Makuri Caving Photos from Eighty Acre and Ramsays Neck at Makuri wiki.php/Photos/2008-05-17-Makuri Makuri trip, Saturday 15th September 2007, A day trip to Crash Cave, a delightful cave, and WCG http://caving.wellington.net.nz/pmwiki/pm Makuri Caving favourite. This trip is for novices, including our younger members. wiki.php/Events/2007-09-15-Makuri
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 85 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference http://caves.org.nz/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/N Makuri Caving To the south, between Coonoor and Makuri in the northern Wairarapa, there are numerous small caves. ZSS/CavingAreas The first impression you have on sighting the Makuri is - ‘clear’. The next impression, as you set foot in it, is - ‘cold’. The Makuri River differs greatly from many other rivers in the Wellington region in that it remains cold even during the highest mid summer temperatures. While other rivers suffer badly from low flows, high temperatures and sluggish fish, the cold, clear water of the Makuri flows on, even when there is drought conditions all around. The river rises in limestone country in the Puketoi Ranges and http://www.babyboomersguide.co.nz/Arti Fishing - has a ‘chalkstream’ nature that suggests it is spring fed. In the upper reaches, it is more a creek than a Makuri cles/Trout+Fishing/Where+to+catch+a+t trout river, winding through farmland until it reaches the small settlement of Makuri. Here it changes nature rophy+trout/Makuri+River.html completely as it tumbles through a rugged gorge, flanked with the beautiful native bush of the Makuri Scenic Reserve. From here downstream, it hides away in a 30 metre deep channel it has dug down into the limestone over the years. The river wends its way, always in the same high walled channel, through farms until its joins the less attractive Tiraumea. The combined rivers later then join the Mangatainoka River north of Pahiatua. The Makuri has been described as being the closest to a chalk stream in the region. It is a challenging water to fish and many areas are inaccessible and unfishable. Above the gorge upstream of the small settlement of Makuri, there is some good fishing. Much of the river is accessible in this section and holds a good population of fish in generally clear cool water. This section of the river flows over open land and through stands of willow lined banks and is made up of a series of pools and long riffles. http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/ Fishing - Downstream from Makuri township to the confluence with the Tiraumea the river flows rapidly through a Makuri Wellington/WGTNFishingWaters/WGTH trout bushlined narrow gorge making both access and fishing very difficult. Only those prepared to bash there Makuri.htm way through the bush should attempt to get to the fish that lie in the deeply cut channels and holes in this section. As much of this part of the river is very fast flowing and swirls around large boulders it does not make for good trout habitat however. Early in the season the river fishes well but becomes more challenging as the season progresses and the trout become more "educated". The water is generally clear and great care should be taken in approaching and casting to sighted fish. http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/ Fishing – Makuri Photo of trout in Makuri River Wellington/WGTNDirectories/WGTNPho trout toDir/MakuriPhotos.htm Fishing – Pahiatua is a base for brown trout fishing. The nearby Makuri, Mangahao, Mangatainoka, Makakahi and http://www.nzstays.co.nz/Region_mana Makuri trout Manawatu Rivers have top class fishing spots. watu-wanganui.aspx Fishing – http://www.truenz.co.nz/farmstays/listing Makuri 20km to the Scenic Makuri Gorge for trout fishing. trout s/wairarapa.html http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/document s/about-doc/role/policies-and- Makuri General Makuri Township Scenic Reserve plans/wellington-cms/Volume%202/17- Vol-2-App-3-T24-T28-A3.pdf Makuri Domain, Kitchen facility and hot points, donation box. Phone 376 3808…. Makuri Country Club, http://www.azdirect.co.nz/tararua/attracti Makuri General Camping, fishing, swimming, barbecue and toilet facilities, golf, cricket area, social club facilities. ons.asp Contact 376 3845.
Makuri General Makuri country club http://www.totaltravel.co.nz/travel/north- island/taranaki/manawatu-
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 86 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference wanganui/activities/sport/10542972 http://doc.org.nz/upload/documents/abou Makuri Conservation Scenic Reserve 1985 Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve 1985 Makuri Township Makuri General t-doc/role/policies-and-plans/wellington- Scenic Reserve cms/chapter-25.pdf http://maps.aa.co.nz/browse/leisure/golf +clubs/manawatu- Makuri Golf Makuri Golf Club, Domain Road, Kaitawa, Manawatu-Wanganui 4989 wanganui/tararua/kaitawa/domain+road/ makuri+golf+club/x=2765951.39413102 02;y=6070770.6841616500 MAKURI (no uplifting). Makuri Gorge to junction of Tiramea and Makuri rivers. Class 3/narrow/160- http://nzjba.webcreations.co.nz/index.ph Makuri Jet boating 120m/13km. Launching: Ngawaparua or Kohinui Bridges with four wheel drive, or Manawatu River. p?option=com_content&task=view&id=5 NOTE: NEEDS HIGH FLOW CONDITIONS. 0&Itemid=84 Makuri Motor biking Makuri School Fundraiser Trail Ride http://www.where2ride.co.nz/event/559 After doing North Range Road what route? Maybe into Pahiatua, down Makuri Gorge (Pahiatua- http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Makuri Motor biking Pongaroa Rd) then peel off down Pori Road and through to Alfredton and then onto Masterton? Then e/index.php/t-66159.html you head back and we head to Mt Dick. Our free hot drinks, and cheap as food sales are on again for the entire weekend, and prize giving and bbq meal will be at the Makuri Domain on Sunday evening, and competitors may camp over in the http://www.costaplenty4wd.co.nz/Default Makuri Motorsport Domain on the Sunday night if they are planning on heading home early Monday. The Makuri Domain .aspx?tabid=2275 has a toilet block and good camp sites, and on the Sunday evening at prize giving, they will open the bar for us where alcohol can be purchased at very reasonable prices. The opening of the looped walking track at Pukaha Mount Bruce on Boxing Day is the perfect gift for walkers, bird watches, families and hikers. Another new track leads to the Pipinui waterfall - http://www.backpackersnews.co.nz/inde Makuri Walking approximately 30 km east from Pahiatua through the stunning Makuri Gorge Road.in the Tararua x.php?page=wairarapa-walks district….Te Arapiki o Tawhaki walking track at Pukaha CAVING INTRODUCTION AT COONOOR … We started out at about 8.00 AM Sunday, heading to a Makuri http://www.pntmc.org.nz/newsletters/files Caving cave at Coonoor called “P17”. This is about an hours drive east of Mangatainoka, through the Makuri Gorge /2002-06-01.pdf gorge. Makuri http://www.truenz.co.nz/farmstays/listing General 20km to the Scenic Makuri Gorge for trout fishing Gorge s/manawatu.html http://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/call-in- Makuri Outstanding landscape/features: - Makuri Stream Bush Combination of native forest remnants, scrub & Scenic turitea/evidence/evidence-of-sk- Gorge other vegetation (flanked by asture) on steep slopes next to the Makuri River brown.pdf Makuri Gorge worth visiting.…... The land is of first-class quality, though of a hilly nature. It is of Makuri http://www.colonialcdbooks.com/wises% Scenic limestone formation, and carries 2 ½ sheep to the acre when in grass. Makuri Gorge celebrated for Gorge 20index%20M.htm beautiful scenery, Makuri River being a tributary of the Tiraumea River. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/document Makuri Walking Makuri Gorge Reserve – photo in DOC walking brochure s/parks-and-recreation/places-to- Gorge visit/wellington/wairarapa-family-walks- and-day-visits-reserves-mtbruce-
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 87 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference moana.pdf Makuri http://www.tourismstuff.co.nz/?pgRq=sit Walking Makuri Gorge near Pahiatua Gorge eMap&showType=detail&listID=31681 Fishing - http://www.nzfishing.com/Regulations/R Mangaone Mangaone River (a tributary of the Tiraumea River) All year No limit Artificial fly, spinner, bait general egulationsWellington.htm On the Akitio Coast Road are the Mangatiti Falls, also spectacular but only accessible by foot and by Mangatiti Scenic http://www.tararua.net/pongaroa.html arrangement http://www.pntmc.org.nz/newsletters/files Mangatiti Walking Trip report Rimutaka Incline, Mid-Winter, Blowhard, Triangle, Rangi, Mangatiti Falls /2004-08-01.pdf http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id= Mangatiti Walking A return favourite is Pongaroa’s Mangatiti Falls walk 13861 MAD (Makairo, Akitio, Dannevirke) If people are coming from the south, we may have to make it the MAE (Makairo, Akitio, Eketahuna). Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but probably makes sense. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showt Mara Motor biking Rough plan: meet Pahiatua. Do Makairo (get this out of the way early), Towai, Waihi Falls (depending hread.php/112516-MAD-(Makairo-Akitio- on time), Little Manuhara, Pongaroa, Akitio, Mara, Spur, Waihoki, Puketoi (if time), Pori (if time), Dannevirke)-28-Nov?p=1129513181 Eketahuna. In the heart of the Wairarapa, just 1 hour's drive from Wellington — New Zealand's vibrant capital city with its International Airport and Interislander ferry terminal…Discover the Wairarapa region and Accommod Masterton experience life off the beaten track. Nestled between the Tararua mountains and the Pacific Ocean, http://www.discovery.co.nz/ ation you'll be able to bask in a wonderful sense of isolation. Relax and discover hidden treasures in enchanting shops, or sample our region's award-winning wines. Enjoy the local attractions, Queen Elizabeth Park, Aratoi Museum of Arts and History, a profusion of Accommod Masterton Vineyards, Genesis Energy Swimming Pool complex, explore Castlepoint lighthouse and travel to http://www.southparkmotel.co.nz/ ation Wellington city by rail. Masterton has two exciting 18 hole golf courses. Trust House Wings Over Wairarapa 2011 will take place at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton on Friday 21 to Sunday 23 January 2011. Celebrating not only the aircraft but the men and women that have shaped the history of aviation, the 2011 show will be a tribute show that should not be missed. Widely regarded Masterton Event http://www.wings.org.nz/ as one of Australasia’s largest and fastest growing airshows, Wings Over Wairarapa rivals any show for display content and reputation and is now a significant event on the Australasian aviation events calendar Home of the Golden Shears international sheep shearing competition, Masterton is the commercial http://www.beds-n- Masterton Event centre of the Wairarapa, on the east coast of the North Island, New Zealand. A rural, family retreat, with leisure.com/masterton.htm Adventures for all ages. The Wairarapa Wine & Food Festival in February attracts thousands of visitors. The whole world seems to descend on Masterton in March each year for the International Golden Shears sheep-shearing http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/mastert Masterton Events competition, the pinnacle of achievement for the world's top shearers. The annual Balloon Fiesta is on/ another popular attraction. Fishing - http://www.beds-n- Masterton Fishing Charters, like Legionaire Fishing Charters, offer the east coast fishing experience. Suited for general groups and with accommodation available, your activities would not be complete without some fresh, leisure.com/masterton.htm
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 88 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference New Zealand Fish. Twin jet powered, and beach launchings, make this a real adventure. “Richmond” is a Garden of National significance and New Zealand’s pre-eminent formal garden. Repetition of a few species achieves formal simplicity, and a magnificent bronze fountain and reflection http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copth Masterton Garden pool lend grandeur. This stunning garden is unique in New Zealand. View more about this Wairarapa ornewairarapa/attractions/index.html attraction Masterton is the tourist hub and commercial heart of the Wairarapa region, although this is not obvious http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/mastert Masterton General as you drive through its quiet, unhurried streets. The Wairarapa promotes itself as New Zealand's least on/ visited region because 'It's a World Away.' These days the 'immigrants' come at weekends as 'day visitors.' Capital city residents stream over the hill and explore the fascinating array of country escapes on the backblocks roads, or visit Masterton, Greytown, Carterton, Featherston and Martinborough. Each town has its own unique appeal and special http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/mastert Masterton General attractions. Nothing draws the smart capital city set more than the plump grapes that ripen on southern on/ Wairarapa's sunny slopes. Both Masterton and Martinborough are towns with grape expectations - numerous vineyards offer cellar-door sales, free sampling and gourmet dining experiences. Action adventures are all part of the Wairarapa area. Wairarapa Jet, not just a ride, an experience, is http://www.beds-n- Masterton General one of the many. Outdoor adventures like Quad Motorcycle Rides, High Rope Swings, Horse trekking leisure.com/masterton.htm and more are also a short drive away. Masterton is the largest town in Wairarapa region. Its special claim to fame is the annual Golden Shears shearing competition, which attracts top shearers from all over the country every March. Traditionally, http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destin Masterton has been a service centre for farmers, but these days its proximity to the Wairarapa wine Masterton General ations/regions/wairarapa/towns.cfm/nod industry is gradually changing the character of the town. If you’re staying for a night or two, you can visit eid/128.html Queen Elizabeth Park to enjoy the beautiful gardens. Masterton also has a bird aviary, deer park and swimming pool complex The region, especially Martinborough, is fast gaining a reputation for premium wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc varieties….About 20 kilometres north of the main centre of Masterton is Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre….In the ranges to the West are the Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks, which contain a network of huts and trails that begin at many road- http://www.tourism.org.nz/regions/wairar Masterton General end picnic spots. Adventure activities include four-wheel driving, rafting, jetboating, abseiling, tandem apa.html skydiving, horse trekking, canoeing, hot air ballooning and gliding…. 30 of the Wairarapa private gardens open to visitors are at their best from September to March, but some are open and provide refreshments year round. Masterton Golf Masterton gold club http://www.mastertongolfclub.co.nz/ It has a distinct feeling of isolation and a colourful Maori heritage. The legendry hero, Maui, pulled the great fish (North Island) out of the sea from his sturdy boat (South Island.) Palliser Bay at the southern http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/mastert Masterton Heritage extremity of the Wairarapa, is the mouth of Maui's fish and Lake Wairarapa is its shimmering eye. on/ Archaeological sites in the bay indicate Maori occupation as far back in 1000 AD. A peaceful canoe trip on the Whareama River offers the would be explorer, intriguing history and even http://www.beds-n- Masterton Kayaking an 8000 year old fossil forest leisure.com/masterton.htm Masterton Motorplex continues to provide a place to race for lower North Island drag racers and fans, Masterton Motorsport http://www.mastertonmotorplex.co.nz/ but sadly, this is likely to be the last season of racing at this venue
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 89 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference One of the most scenic reserves close by, can be found only an hours drive away. Castlepoint offers Sight http://www.beds-n- Masterton sea and sand to surf, swim or fish. Taking a walk to the lighthouse for panoramic views of the Wairarapa seeing leisure.com/masterton.htm coast is a must, where you can also explore a Sea Cave and the 162m Castle Rock. We Skydive from: Masterton Aerodrome for the Wellington, Wairarapa, Palmerston North, Manawatu areas & Hastings Aerodrome for the Napier, Hawkes Bay area…. xperience the thrill and total adrenaline rush. Few other activities come anywhere near the euphoria or ecstacy of your first skydive! Masterton Sky dive http://www.0800skydive.co.nz/ Reach exhilarating speeds of around 200km/h plus, as you freefall from up to 13,000 feet. After your freefall enjoy the parachute journey taking in the spectacular views over these fine areas of New Zealand. This will be a life changing moment, and certainly one you will never forget! Supplying New Zealand with their favourite drop, right Tui H.Q. since 1889. The beer, the tower and the brewery are New Zealand icons. Come and visit Tui HQ, home of all things Tui. Enjoy a beer tasting, some tasty kiwi tucker, a tour or a free look around the museum and shop. View more about this Wairarapa attraction. Situated in the Wairarapa countryside, Stonehenge Aotearoa is a window into the past where the visitor can rediscover the knowledge of their ancestors. It incorporates ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Celtic astronomy, Polynesian navigation, and Maori starlore. View more about Visitor this Wairarapa attraction. Paua World. Here you will discover how the World’s most colorful shell is http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copth Masterton centre crafted to manufacture an exquisite range of jewellery, gifts and souvenirs that reflect the iconic status ornewairarapa/attractions/index.html of the Paua shell to New Zealand. View more about this Wairarapa attraction. hear Discovery New Zealand is a new and unique visitor attraction located in central Masterton. Learn the history of our country’s shearing history, culture and sport shearing in New Zealand. This is a must see Masterton attraction. Wairarapa Museumof Art and History. Getting away from it all dosen’t mean going without culture! Experience top quality national and international exhibitions in this award winning museum, situated in the tranquil heart of the Wairarapa. View more information about this Wairarapa attraction. Henley Lake, a short drive away, is a recreational lake created in 1988 as a water sports centre for Mas Riversdale Resort. A resort, on the coast, with a long sandy Beach offers a place for swimming, surfing, http://www.beds-n- Masterton Watersports Cray fishing and diving for paua, a local seafood. Surf patrolled over the summer months with a 9 hole leisure.com/masterton.htm golf course, tennis courts and shops. Mt Bruce - This is a nature and wildlife experience you won't forget! Enjoy this eco and nature tour experience in the Wairarapa. Experience some of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife up close and in http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copth Masterton Wildlife the wild, and learn about what is being done to save kiwi, tuatara, kokako and kaka. View more about ornewairarapa/attractions/index.html this Wairarapa attraction. Local vineyards cluster around the Wairarapa from the North of Masterton to Martinborough, offering a unique opportunity to experience wine tasting any day of the week. Meet passionate winemakers, see http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copth Masterton WIne state of the art wineries, enjoy vineyard cafes, music and entertainment. View more about this ornewairarapa/attractions/index.html Wairarapa attraction Castlepoint Fishing Club 15th Annual Fishing Competition ... Fishing Club's Annual Fishing Competition http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=search/ Mataikona Fishing at Castlepoint/Mataikona will start at 6am and will go until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. node/mataikona Fishing - Raised in the Wairarapa, Brown’s family used to camp at Castlepoint and he recalls eating fritters made http://www.newswire.co.nz/2009/10/al- Mataikona general with paua collected at Mataikona, one of his first food memories. brown-fish-smarter/ Hunger for the wild TV series…Steve Logan smokes some freshly caught kahawai, Mataikona, http://www.fisheyefilms.co.nz/hungerfort Mataikona General Wairarapa… Matai and Al shuck and clean their paua, Mataikona, Wairarapa hewild5.htm
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 90 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference A survey of 378 people was undertaken over the Wellington Anniversary weekend, extending from http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Plans-- Ocean Beach in the south around to Mataikona in the north. The survey asked people where they were Publications/Wairarapa-Coastal- Mataikona General from, how often they visited the Wairarapa coast, why they visited, what they did at the coast and if Strategy/895_submission_and_su_s169 there were any dislikes, suggested improvements or overall issues that they had… Visual impact on the 0.pdf landscape was an issue at Pahaoa and Mataikona…and improved camping facilities for Mataikona http://www.magazinenz.com/nz/destinati on/show.aspx?country=nz&unit=n_waira Mataikona General …find seclusion at Mataikona. rapa&doc=4&desc=Castlepoint_Wairara pa Okau Wilderness Park, Mataikona, Wairarapa, New Zealand Is a privately owned and managed forest Park it provides an ideal habitat for red and fallow deer, as well as goats, pigs and several species of Mataikona Hunting http://nzhunt.com/about.html small game animals and birds, including wild turkeys. Guided hunting provides bow and rifle hunters the opportunity to take home a great trophy head. Okau Wilderness Park, Mataikona, Wairarapa, New Zealand Is a privately owned and managed forest http://www.helipro.co.nz/HeliPro/EXCLU Park that provides an ideal habitat for red and fallow deer, as well as goats, pigs and several species of SIVE-OPTIONS-Queens- Mataikona Hunting small game animals and birds, including wild turkeys. Located less than 45min flight from Wellington Wharf_IDL=1_IDT=1618_ID=17742_.ht Okau Wilderness Park Offers provides full guided Free-range hunting for all of the above species. We ml offer Half day or Full day tours or a Half Day Hunting tour followed by lunch at Wharekauhau. http://doc.org.nz/upload/documents/abou Ngaumu General Forest managed by DOC….. Rewa Bush Stewardship is within Ngaumu Forest off Waihora Road. t-doc/role/policies-and-plans/wellington- forest cms/chapter-5.pdf http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showt Ngaumu In my photos im in Ngaumu forest wideing a logging road. thats my trusty digger, SUMO, we been in Motor biking hread.php/93290-Sumthing-different...- forest some silly places, and i wonder if i will get out What-u-do-for-a-job?p=1950421 Ngaumu Events, like the Waitangi, Woodhill Forest, Maramarua Forest, Ngaumu Forest, Tokoroa and Rotorua, in http://www.silverfernrally.co.nz/history.ph Motorsport forest the North Island, p Ngaumu Mountain http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/hg/ne Most awesome ride/race, Ngaumu Forest, Tinakori (in summer), any hell uphills forest biking wsletters/93october.htm Ngaumu Mountain Ngaumu Forest - I raced that hideous slippery clay fest! What a nightmare it was, but the memories are http://www.vorb.org.nz/penny-farthing- forest biking grand. cycles-pnp-mtb-makara-t92674-60.html Ngaumu Orienteerin Anitra Dowling caused a furore when she ran as an honorary male, winning the open mens national http://www.dunedinorienteering.com/DO forest g relays at Ngaumu Forest. Cument/DOCument_0007.pdf a trip to Owahanga Stn in April. It has been brought up at the last meeting about those vehicles that do http://www.orw.org.nz/newsletters/Clubn Owahanga 4WD not have a WOF and Reg will need to have a club safety sticker to attend club trips. ewsletter0110.pdf Overnight Trips. Tautane/Pipi Bank/ Akitio and Owahanga Stations and Castlepoint (2 nights) accom Owahanga 4WD http://www.tagalongtours.co.nz/ Tautane Station Shearer’s Quarters There is a rock in the Owahanga River near the mouth that is home to a vicious taniwha. Many people http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&c Owahanga Heritage have been troubled by this creature over the years. But in this case the taniwha is the changing tide. r=countryNZ&tbs=ctr:countryNZ&q=owa The current can be so strong at this place that people have been dragged underneath the rock into the hanga+-foma+-wises+-videofun+-
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 91 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference jaws of the taniwha. adultfriendfinder+-stats+-koordinates+- nzpost+-maplandia+-hotfrog+-cat- breeders+-geographx+-dog-breeders+- zoodle+-webcity+-zenbu+-sella+-finda+- oldfriends+-realestate+-bayleys+- firstnational+-zoomin+-yellow+- harcourts+- trademe&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql= &oq=&gs_rfai= A magnificent days ride out of the hills, across the Mataikona River plains and on to a coastal ride up through the historic Owahanga Station. This Station community is shrouded in a rich history of early Horse http://www.timelesshorsetreks.co.nz/14d Owahanga coastal farming. With a strong indigenous Maori culture present here, we have a special opportunity to trekking ay_odyssey.html experience a full Maori welcome on to their Marae for a night in the life of the local Maori community. A real taste of the local culture. Then it’s towards the Coast and into Owahanga (private land) over a good farm track with amazing http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Owahanga Motor biking views of the Pacific Ocean. We follow the Coast for quite some distance … e/index.php/t-46585.html Pahiatua Carnival motor camp - In the heart of Tui country (the bird and the beer!) this un-crowded camp is located on the southern edge of Pahiatua township beside two hectares of native bush. http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php?i Pahiatua Camping Sheltered by a high macrocarpa hedge, the grounds are beautifully kept, with open sites of a generous d=428 size, some with large shade trees http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/new- Pahiatua Event BUSH HARRIERS HALF MARATHON ROUTE 2008 zealand/pahiatua/1207819549 In particular Pahiatua rivers (The 5 Ms) are known throughout New Zealand. In their cool deep pools lurk fine brown trout and fishing is pleasurable for most of these waterways are easily accessible and Fishing - Pahiatua largely uncrowded. For much of the year these top class fishing spots are undiscovered territory. Their http://tararua.net/pahiatua.html trout names are legendary: Makuri, Mangahao, Mangatainoka, Makakahi and Manawatu. Within half an hour’s drive you’ll find 200 kilometres of fishable water. http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destin Fishing - Pahiatua Local trout fishing is excellent. ations/regions/manawatu/towns.cfm/nod trout eid/173.html Pahiatua lies near to 200km of fishable waters, where the brown trout are abundant. There are several excellent walks nearby - a great way to explore the countryside around Pahiatua. Other activities in the http://www.jasons.com/New- Pahiatua General area include 4WD safaris, horse riding, skydiving and motorcross racing, or pay a visit to the local Zealand/Pahiatua/ cheese factory or lavendar farm. The Main Street Gardens at Pahiatua are are ideal for a picnic lunch http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/newze Pahiatua Golf Pahiatua Golf Club aland/manawatuwanganui/pahiatua-golf- club.html http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ Pahiatua Heritage Pahiatua war memorial pahiatua-war-memorial Pahiatua Heritage Pahiatua Museum - We are the sole museum to house the history of the Polish children who came to http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/pahi
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 92 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference New Zealand following the Second World War atua-districts-museum-tararua-pahiatua Pahiatua Museum to see the pictorial display about the Polish children’s camp that was home for http://www.classicwinetrail.co.nz/culture. Pahiatua Heritage wartime refugees from Poland from 1944 to 1952. html Go 4 wheels amazing quad bike adventures situated in the beautiful unspoilt Tararua District, just 30 http://www.nzonline.org.nz/go4wheelsqu Pahiatua Quad bikes minutes drive from Palmerston North and one hour from Masterton. adbikeadventurespahiatua.htm …noticed your map mentions "Pleckville" just before Eketahuna on the back road. We have been http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Pleckville Motor biking through there several times and haven't figured out which… e/index.php/t-41764.html http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/travelstories/ Sight his explains why in our New Zealand Guide so many towns have withered or, like nearby Pleckville, Pleckville 257/east-coast-north-island-of-new- seeing simply don't seem to exist anymore zealand-hawkes-bay-the-long-way/ Accommod Set in sunny, picturesque valley. Get away from it all but still be in striking distance of a beach and http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ Pongaroa ation village pongaroa-war-memorial Accommod Tranquil, rural hill country. Midway between Wellington and Hawkes Bay. Route 52, sealed, safe cycling http://www.bbh.co.nz/bbh_HostelSearch. Pongaroa ation route, low traffic. aspx?bbh=detail&HostelID=88 Pongaroa is situated at the crossroads of Route 52 and the Pahiatua - Makuri - Akitio Road. Pongaroa is a great midway stop between Wellington and Hawke's Bay on scenic Route 52 through some great Pongaroa General New Zealand sheep and beef hill country. Take time to wander through the tranquil village, view the http://www.tararua.net/pongaroa.html murals and picnic at the many picnic tables. Food can be purchased at the Village Store or Tavern. Stroll through the bush and listen to the tui, bellbird and whirr of the Kereru as it flits to the Karaka trees. Settlement 60 km south-east of Pah atua. Pongaroa is a rural servicing centre. Settled in the 1890s, the town initially supported a timber mill. Once the bush was cleared, the land became sheep and beef http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa- Pongaroa General cattle country. Pongaroa was the birthplace of Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins (1916–2004), who won a places/1 Nobel Prize in 1962 for his contribution to the discovery of the structure of DNA. It is also home to Papauma marae, established in 1904 9 Hole, Pahiatua Road, Pongaroa P O Box 4 Pongaroa Phone: (06) 376 2831 Club Secretary/Manager: http://www.golfing.co.nz/golf/golfingnz/ta Pongaroa Golf Anne Broughton g/home/golf_courses/item/hawkes_bay/ Pongaroa Heritage Pongaroa war memorial While Pongaroa may well be notable for other things, one indisputable claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins, the scientist who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in http://www.nzgeographic.co.nz/articles.p Pongaroa Heritage Medicine or Physiology with James Watson and Francis Crick for the discovery of the structure of hp?ID=83 deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA Thanks to many local farmers and landowners, we get to ride across some most amazing riding country, where once all shepherding and stock work was done on Horseback. Finally after yet another day of Horse http://www.timelesshorsetreks.co.nz/14d Pongaroa exhilarating riding, up hills and down dales, we discover the hidden village of Pongaroa... And trekking ay_odyssey.html civilization again! Appropriately this farming village comes complete with Garage, General Store, School and Farm Supplies outlet, and of course the local's Watering Hole Pongaroa Bush Walk http://www.dannevirke.net.nz/dannevirke Pongaroa Walking The Yellow Track to Pongaroa Outlook and Cemetery takes 10-15 minutes and suits all levels of fitness. -attractions.html The Red Track takes 5 minutes to the picnic table in the bush and suits all levels of fitness. Takes about
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 93 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference 20 - 25 minutes and has views of Benarty, Akaroa Peak and the Beehive. http://www.beescene.co.nz/gallery/Tarar Puketoi Photo Nice photo ua%20Ruahine/slides/puketoi_01.html http://www.adrenalin.co.nz/afa.asp?idWe Lunch over, it was up onto the top ridges of the Puketoi Ranges via an extremely steep and loose track Puketoi 4WD bPage=13579&idAdrenalin_Articles=263 that terminated on a saddle, in the lee of Oporae &SID=1010925834 Costa Plenty 4x4 park is situated on the top of the Puketoi Range between Pahiatua & Pongaroa in the Northern Wairarapa. Your hosts are Goldie (Laurie) & Sue. It is a 500 acre block, riddled with numerous tracks throughout. It ranges from flat to steep, with spectacular views from the tops. Winter Puketoi 4WD http://www.costaplenty4x4.com/ time provides challenging driving for even the most fully equiped vehicle, and mud tyres are essential, as is recovery equipment. There is a fully equipped cabin available soon, which will sleep approx 12 people, has cooking facilities and shower. There is also ample camping space close to the cabin 18 Go Caving At Puketoi…. via Coonoor to the purpose of our trip, Indecision Cave (PT17)…. The http://www.ttc.org.nz/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ Puketoi Caving entrance to the cave is its trickiest bit, and rope was rigged to assist with access. TripReports/1998-05-09Puketoi-Caving The skeleton is mostly constructed of bones from a cave near Makuri in the Puketoi Ranges. The cave http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/account/3 Puketoi Heritage is on the property of Mr David Tylee of Hororata. In 1983 excavation of the cave by Curator, Richard 032/object/1006 Cassels and the Manawatu Speleological Group bega Away upon the slopes of the Puketoi Ranges there grew in the days of old a giant Totara tree, into which the spirit of a God called Okatia suddenly entered, and endowed it with the power of motion, citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/user/file/252/01% Puketoi Heritage whereupon it gradually wormed its way over the land, gouging out a deep bed as it went, until it came to 20Chapter%201.pdf the mountain chain which separates the East from the West Coast Scenic Helicopter coast Flight - Duration 66 minutes - Take a longer flight out to the coast over the Puketoi http://www.outbackhelicopters.co.nz/info Puketoi (views over) Ranges with weather permitting a beach landing rmation.php?info_id=29 Puketoi Walking Puketoi Mountain Club PO Box 617 Masterton The Puketoi Range and the Waitahora area are located centrally within the iwi’s rohe. The Puketoi Range ridgeline was in the past a pathway for iwi travelling through the area and the area was also http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/pdf/ Puketoi CA Heritage important for food gathering….The Mangatainoka CAU borders the southern boundary of the Papatawa our_projects/waitahora/T17_Waitahora_ CAU and the Norsewood-Herbertville CAU. It extends from the western edge of the Puketoi Range and Community_Profile_Assessment.pdf extends to the western boundary of the Tararua District where it adjoins the Palmerston North District. http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu- In Rangitaane history, the gorge was carved out by Okatia, a spirit who possessed a giant totara tree on Puketoi CA Heritage standard/features/3199183/Manawatu- the Puketoi Ranges. magic Outstanding landscape/features: - Puketoi Ranges Folded / uplifted eastern bluffs, exposed greywacke regolith, forest cover Southern Puketoi Ranges - Continuation of main range’s landform to http://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/call-in- Puketoi CA Scenic the north, interplay of open pasture with pockets of remnant native forest Puketoi Range Lower turitea/evidence/evidence-of-sk- Slopes - Ranges landform & exposed greywacke regolith, interplay of open pasture with pockets of brown.pdf remnant native forest, more cohesive bush line & buffs as backdrop
Another possible concern is that TrustPower has sought deletion of certain clauses which refer to http://www.windy.gen.nz/index.php/archi Puketoi CA Scenic protecting the “Skyline of the Tararua Range” and the “Skyline of the Ruahine Range” and the “Skyline ves/251 of the Puketoi Range”, arguing that “skyline” is an ambiguous term and not based on a valid
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 94 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference assessment of the landscape http://www.truenz.co.nz/farmstays/listing Puketoi CA Walking Boundaries Puketoi Conservation Reserve for bushwalks s/manawatu.html Mountain http://acta.org.nz/1002wairap/pix100224. Rakaunui Eketahuna to Rakaunui and Herbertville, February 2010 biking htm Riversdale has several architecturally distinguished baches (holiday homes). Among them is the Accommod Maunsell beach house, designed by Derek Wilson and built in 1956. With its simple forms and easy http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa- Riversdale ation indoor–outdoor flow, it is a fine example of the post-1945 quest to create the vernacular New Zealand places/4/6 house. Since it was built it has been heavily modified. …looking for fishing advice…launching in Riversdale…The fishing or diving will be fantastic, … Wairarapa coast can be one of the least forgiving areas anywhere in NZ so should never be treated lightly. Launching a boat there is of far less concern than being able to retrieve if the weather turns & if http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/for Fishing – Riversdale this happens all the boats will be trying to get back in asap…my choice would be ngawi, but im bit um_posts.asp?TID=35410&PID=499763 general biased in that respect, but you can gain a bit of shelter either side of cape palliser depending on where &title=wairarapa-fishing-advice the wind comes from, and good diving if you dont mind the seals. any wind from from the south around to nor east will make it unpleasant at riversdale, and as mentioned above it can get very unpleasent. Riversdale Beach Resort is situated 54 kilometres east of Masterton, New Zealand travelling on one of Riversdale General the Wairarapa's most picturesque country scenic drives, a tar sealed road, all the way to the Pacific http://www.riversdalebeach.com/ coast line Find time to unwind and enjoy the timeless pleasures of sun, sand and sea at Riversdale Beach. Walk the long white sandy beach, take a dip in the patrolled swimming area or watch the surfcasters. Look for http://www.riversdaleterraces.co.nz/galle Riversdale General crayfish on the reef and let the fresh sea air work its magic. Re-energised? Take a horse-back ride, play ry.html tennis or enjoy a round of golf with views of the Pacific Ocean Situated on the beach front, with magnificent sea views, Riversdale Retreat (the typical Kiwi bach), is http://www.moata.co.nz/html/beach_retr Riversdale General the perfect location for that special seaside getaway. Walk down the expansive lawn directly onto the eat.html beach or take a 150m stroll to the golf club. Riversdale Beach is another day trip, with its long sandy beach, and has been a family resort for more http://villainthevines.co.nz/things-to- Riversdale General than 50 years. There's good swimming, surfing, fishing and a friendly golf course do.html What was initially a barren coastal strip of land up to the early fifties has evolved into a desirable and functional coastal resort. Much of this success story has been due to the strong relationship between the client and Tomlinson & Carruthers. The Riversdale resort has required the application of all our services in a synergetic process….2008: Riversdale Links…Riversdale Beach Golf Club owns surplus http://www.tcsurvey.co.nz/case- Riversdale General land that can not be utilised as any future expansion of the course or facilities. …The site presented study.html several challenges. Being at the base of a hill and on a coastal plain, future development of the site required a design mitigating the effects on the stability of the slope and the drainage of stormwater. … incorporating the following features…A reserve to act as an amenity buffer between the existing Riversdale community, golf course and the coastal residential lots; Our coast is rugged and beautiful. Unspoilt by development, the Wairarapa coast is far enough off the http://www.mstn.govt.nz/discover/beach Riversdale General beaten track to provide an old fashioned Kiwi holiday experience. You won’t find any surf shops or ATM machines in either of the two main settlements – Riversdale and Castlepoint. You will find good surf, es/index.php great fishing, a safe lagoon at Castlepoint and even a lighthouse. If caravans, cabins and tents are your
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 95 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference thing you’ll find well -maintained holiday parks at both villages. Riversdale has an interesting history. It was developed in the 1950s by a champion Wairarapa swimmer, who knew that this part of the Wairarapa coast has consistently good surf and is sheltered by the natural barrier of the Tararua Ranges. At the time, people thought he was crazy. But Riversdale http://www.newzealand.com/travel/sights Resort, complete with golf course and tennis courts, proved to be a roaring success. The gently sloping -activities/scenic-highlights/coastal- Riversdale General beach at Riversdale is four kilometers long. It's a great place for surfing and swimming. Visitors are highlights/scenic-highlight- welcome to play a game at the golf course, which has excellent views of the ocean from nearly every details.cfm/businessid/68766.html tee. At low tide, a large area of rock is exposed at both ends of the bay, creating a natural playground for fishing and snorkeling. An exposed reef two kilometers out to sea is a well known diving site and a good place to catch groper. Rewanui Forest Park Left of Riversdale turnoff, 23 kms from Masterton. Watch for signposts. Take Te http://www.activewairarapa.org.nz/facility Riversdale Walking Ore Ore Road in Masterton which takes you to Riversdale/ Castlepoint. A 334 hectare farm with a /assets/Walks%20in%20the%20Wairara significant stand of native bush and areas of forestry production paupdated%20Jan2008.pdf Accommod Take advantage of the quieter sealed route 52 through the rural and scenic countryside of the North http://www.truenz.co.nz/backpackers/listi Route 52 ation Wairarapa between Masterton (75 km) and Waipukurau (125km). ngs/wairarapa.html Otapawa Farmstay and Backpackers Otapawa is a working sheep and beef Station situated in Tiraumea, North Wairarapa. 2 1/2 hours drive north of Wellington, 1 hour north of Masterton or 1 1/4 hours from Palmerston North. Otapawa is a ideal stopover between Wellington and Hawkes Bay. The Lodge has views of the Puketoi Ranges and surrounding hill country and farmland. Lodge style accommodation for single, family or group bookings. Campervans, Caravans and Tents Accommod welcome. Bush or farm walks available. Enjoy seasonal on farm experiences or relax in the peace and Route 52 ation quiet of this secluded area. 4WD guided tours and play area for the mud junkie. Why not take in a farmstay during the Rugby World Cup 2011. Facilities include: 12 Bedrooms, 7 double + 24 single Fully equipped Kitchen, including microwave, fridge freezer, BBQ, There is Freeview TV and a woodburner fire. Laundry Home Cooked Meals available by prior arrangement Within 1 Hours drive are: * The Waihi Falls * Akitio Beach * Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre * The Tui Brewery Enquiries or Reservations to Dara 06 376 7765 Marlene 06 376 7250 [email protected] Experience the tranquillity of rural New Zealand hill country. Quiet mid-way stop between Wellington and Hawke's bay. Route 52, sealed, safe cycling route, low traffic. Children welcome. Modern on-farm accommodation, sleeps 11 in 5 separate bedrooms. Fully equipped kitchen, microwave, logfire, colour television. Towels supplied. All beds made with electric blankets. Meals Accommod http://tararua.net/glenross/backpackers.h Route 52 available at Pongaroa Hotel - courtesy coach for groups. Feel free to walk, mountain bike or picnic ation tml amongst the sheep and cattle or watch current on-farm activities. Forty minutes drive to attractive Akitio Beach for sweeping panoramic views, rocky reef, all types of fishing available. Forty minutes to Waihi Falls. Rates: $25 per person BBH member $30 per person without current BBH card Total cost for whole place $250
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 96 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference I submitted the north-south 200km "cyclists highway" Route 52 on the lower North Island between http://can.org.nz/article/national- Route 52 Cycling Masterton and SH2 at Waipukurau….reat jlieswyn! I also am keen to see this route link Hawkes Bay cycleway-route-planning and the Wairarapa, then on to the Hutt and Wellington Perennial Garden Cutting "Totara Hills"- Route 52, 11381, 5 minutes south Pongaroa village on left from http://www.iwairarapa.co.nz/events- Route 52 Event 9.30am to 11.30am. 2007.htm http://www.latestinfo.wga.co.nz/WGA_Cl Route 52 Golf Alfredton Gold Club, Route 52 ubDetails.pdf did Palmy ->Pahiatua track -> eketahuna -> pongaroa -> pahiatua/ponaroa rd -> saddle a few years http://www.vorb.org.nz/roadies-where- Route 52 Motor biking back. Pretty good roads. 215km. Highway 52 was very quiet. I'm pretty sure 52 is sealed all the way did-you-ride-today-t52105-9390.html through so you could loop up to Dannevirke One wouldn’t want to visit Porangahau for the nightlife or an action filled holiday, …..but as far as rides http://www.ulysses.org.nz/wellington/ma Route 52 Motor biking go, well, that’s another story called Route 52. g/Wgtn_Mag.pdf Pongaroa is situated at the crossroads of Route 52 and the Pahiatua - Makuri - Akitio Road. Pongaroa Route 52 Scenic is a great midway stop between Wellington and Hawke's Bay on scenic Route 52 through some great http://www.tararua.net/pongaroa.html New Zealand sheep and beef hill country. http://www.newzealand.com/travel/acco mmodation/accommodation- Experience tranquillity of rural hill country. Mid-way between Wellington and Hawkes Bay. Route 52, Route 52 Cycling options/operator- sealed, safe cycling route, low traffic. details.cfm/businessactivityid/156008.ht ml Many tourists also choose to travel through Tararua on Route 52 which is the alternative road to State Highway 2 when travelling north - south. This journey takes in some of the region's spectacular rural Route 52 Scenic scenery and friendly small town hospitality. This is also the access road to the region's untouched east http://www.tararua.net/location.html coast beaches at Akitio and Herbertville. Route 52 can be accessed from Eketahuna in the south and Dannevirke in the north http://www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz/disc Route 52 Scenic a fully sealed & picturesque road, Route 52. over_porangahau.shtml Tararua nestles amongst Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa and the Pacific Ocean. It is best explored by independent travellers on wheels, whether they be two or four. Buses and trains only touch the periphery of this district with its under-explored attractions and landscape. Take time to check out the Troll Stroll in Norsewood, visit the Fantasy Caves in Dannevirke, for a trip on the wild side visit the Waihi Falls, and take the bush walk in Pongaroa before heading to the panoramic vista of Akitio Beach with its waves, reef and river. Tararua http://www.tararua.net/tararua.html General District Woodville is fast gaining a reputation for antiques and knick knacks, Pahiatua is the heart of the bush where the tuis will sing flutingly in the Main Street when the kowhai is in bloom in spring. Eketahuna has the Great Eketahuna bike ride every April and just south is the National Wildlife Centre at Mt Bruce - a must for bird lovers. Ballance has a café beyond the bridge where you can sit and relax in the garden amidst the kereru and have a latté. Tararua is known for its wide open spaces, bush walks and friendly folk. There are numerous places to eat, sleep and explore. If you have two wheels, Route 52 is a safe, mostly sealed cycling route with
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 97 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference backpacker accommodation spread to give a good days ride. If you are keen on trout fishing, spin fishing or fly fishing, some of Tararuas six rivers may give you some sport. Fishing guides are available to ensure you get to the right spot. Dannevirke Fantasy Cave A magnificent creation that children and adults alike find absorbing. Tremendous skill has been put into creating nursery rhyme and story book characters that actually move. Open the end of November, all December and from then on by appointment for groups. High St, Dannevirke For bookings contact 06 374 1761, 06 374 7618, 06 374 8946 Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre The Centre offers a unique opportunity to see examples of New Zealand’s threatened and endangered wildlife and learn about wildlife conservation. Mount Bruce plays a central role in the survival of many threatened species through its captive breeding programmes, research and public education. Spend an afternoon among wildlife. Eel feed 1.30pm, Kaka feed 3pm, forest walks featuring kiwi, tuatara, kokako, kaka, takahe, stitchbird, kakariki in a primeval rainforest. Takahe Cafe - expresso, light meals. Mt Bruce is 30km north of Masterton on State Highway 2. Open daily except Christmas Day - Boxing Day to Easter open from 9.00am - 4.30pm. After Easter to Tararua Christmas open from 9.00am - 4.00pm. General http://www.tararua.net/attractions.html District Norsewear of New Zealand Norsewear is located in Norsewood and is a factory shop offering a wide range of pure wool knitwear at factory prices form jerseys, hats, scarves and gloves to woolrich socks. Factory tours are available during the week. Shop Hours - Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday, Sun and public holidays 9am - 4pm. Tel 06 374 0899, 6 Hovding Street, PO Box 10, Norsewood Tararua Wind Farm Located on a high ridge of rolling, private farmland south of the Manawatu Gorge. Ashhurst lies 4 km to the northwest. Woodville is 5km to the east and Pahiatua is 10km southwest. Wind speed on site averages 35kmh and it operates the turbines for more than 85 percent of the time (more information) Tui Brewery Tours State Highway 2, Mangatainoka - tours available Mon-Fri, from 9am, with last tour of day at 2.30pm. Catering available for large groups. Promotional clothing etc. available. Bookings are essential. Tel: 06 376-7549, Fax: 06 376-9799, email: [email protected] Walks & Tramps Ruahine Forest Park Over 92,000 hectares which encompasses the Ruahine Ranges. Several choice of tramps available from 1 hour to overnight. Magnificent views. Kumeti Reserve 21 kms from Dannevirke at the end of Kumeti Road. This reserve links to the Ruahine Forest Park. Public toilets are available. Tamaki Reserve At the foot of the Ruahine Ranges, 18km from Dannevirke. Bush walks and picnic Tararua Walking, areas. This reserve also links with the Ruahine Forest Park
District tramping Wahipai Five hectares of bush-covered hillside with a mixture of native and exotic trees. Access is from State Highway 2, north of Dannevirke Ngapaeruru Scenic Reserve Ngapaeruru Road is 15km east of Dannevirke. A giant Totara, said to be one of the largest in New Zealand, is a feature Waihi Falls 45kms east of Dannevirke on Oporae Rd Coppermine Valley Creek Walk 15 km from Woodville on Coppermine Road. Grassed picnic area, fireplaces, rubbish bin, toilet. Family walk on metre wide gravel path. Abandoned coppermine, cave
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 98 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference wetas, camping area at track junction, waterfalls, trees, plants including native orchids. A steep track leads up to the tower on top of Whariti. The condition of paths should be checked before walk is attempted Manawatu Gorge Walk Located on the southern side of the Manawatu Gorge, at the left side of the road, just prior to entering the Gorge from the Ashhurst end. The main track climbs through forests. Many varieties of trees, ferns and shrubs. This walk takes about 4 - 5 hours and an average fitness is required Ballance Domain Travel on State Highway 3, 4 km west of Woodville. Well marked tracks following the Old Coach Road. Playing field, picnic tables, fireplaces, toilets and playground Klein Track Near Ballance Domain, steep narrow track in places, follows part of Old Coach Road (1 - 2 hours), can include a short side track to an old Giant Totara Tree - (½ hour) Whariti Peak 12 km west of Woodville, The road is steep, winding and unsealed. Gateway to many bush walks and tramps in the Ruahine Ranges, a map of walks is at the Trig Point. Excellent views Pattisons Bush Otawhao Road. Native bush & 69 species of native trees, Facilities include, public toilets, picnic area. Arrangements to use this facility should be made with Mr. W. Poulton Ph 06 376 5599. Durslade On Jackson Road, Hopelands, off State Highway 2. Please contact the farmer before visiting Woodville Ferry Reserve At the entrance to the Manawatu Gorge, a flat grassy area situated under the bridge, which is extensively used for picnics. An excellent area for children playing and canoeing. Pongaroa Bush Walk, The Bush Walk is l00m along Urupa St. Yellow track: to Pongaroa Outlook & Cemetery, takes 10-15 minutes and suits all levels of fitness. Red Track: 5 minutes to picnic table in the bush, suits all levels of fitness. For views of Benaity, Akaroa Peak and the Beehive, medium fitness, 20- 25 minutes Makuri Gorge Sited on the Pahiatua/Makuri Road. This takes around one hour to complete. Marima Domain 12 kms south of Pahiatua, picnic & BBQ areas, fishing, swimming, public toilets Tararua Forest Park Several access areas, A Guide is available, contact 06376 7892. 12 kms south of Pahiatua, picnic & BBQ areas, fishing, swimming, public toilets Pipinui Scenic reserve on the Coonoor/Makuri Rd just 6 kms north of Makuri Cliff Walk - The entrance is in Bridge Street by the Parkville Bridge. A leisurely ½ hour walk. Putara Road End Tararua Forest Park situated 17kms west of Eketahuna at the end of Mangatainoka River, Mangatainoka Valley Road. After the second swing bridge, the track to the Henapai and Roaring Stag huts requires good fitness levels. Mt Bruce Approximately 300 metres on State Highway 2. Around 1½ hours to complete. The second half takes around 2½ hours return Tauweru Orienteerin Potential orienteering map data base… Wairarapa… Pine forest adjacent to new Wairarapa club Hapua http://www.maptalk.co.nz/forum/topic.cf CA g map (close to Masterton, near Tauweru) m?t=944&f=1 Accommod Tinui Station Country Estate http://www.tinuistationcountryestate.co.n Tinui ation Quality Accommodation & Private Country Venue z/
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 99 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Individual Country Cottage Accommodation - or as an exclusive Country Venue package with the historic Tinui Station Homestead & Grounds for Corporate, Wedding & Family Functions. — The Venue — The venue provides an authentic rural setting in a natural amphitheatre, enhanced by mature trees, extensive lawns and gardens with Farm & Mountain walks, 6 hole 'farm style' Golf Course & Croquet lawn. Private and charming, genuine Wairarapa New Zealand countryside at its best! — Accommodation Choices — The Homestead - Fully renovated/restored large 'old Station Homestead' offering up to 5 suites, each with en-suites and high quality facilities. Available either as a B&B selection (with meal options), or for exclusive use, or with the Cottages and Farm as a complete Boutique Country Venue Package for special occasions. Cottages - 3 charming 19th century historic Cottages - 'Hunt' & 'Poplar' (both 3 bdrms), 'Garden' (1 bdrm). Each are self contained and available independently or in conjunction with the Homestead. — Personal Invitation — Resident farm owners Kelso & Jane Rushton warmly invite you to view the photo galleries on the adjoining pages. Please feel welcome to discuss your requirements for potential bookings. It is our privilege to share the special character and first class facilities that are now incorporated in Tinui Station Country Estate. An idyllic rural setting only 2 hours from Wellington and a short drive to lovely beaches & Castlepoint - Truly, the perfect 'Escape to the Country'! Phone - 64 6 3726 815 Email - [email protected] The Tinui School trail bike ride will be held 45kms from Masterton, signposted from Tinui on the http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=event/ti Tinui Event Masterton-Castlepoint Road. Briefing at 9.45am. Terrain to suit all skill levels with a 40km loop plus a nui-school-trail-ride kids' course, both held on 90% farmland. Duration 2 to 4 hours, depending on skill level Main-Events was approached to run the secretarial side of a new local event, the Tinui Speed Shears http://www.main- Tinui Event held in March 2006. events.co.nz/software/speedshears.aspx Tinui is a living historic village sited 35 minutes from Masterton and has strong community support. There is a hotel, school, hall, preschool centre, fire station, Anglican Church, craft shop and Astroturf tennis courts. Tinui is a mainly agriculture and fishing region and the social hub centre of the District. There are several groups who have a branch in Tinui eg Lions, Plunket and Women’s Institute. There are two beaches close by being Castlepoint Beach and Riversdale Beach both with permanent http://www.wizbiz.co.nz/tinui_craft_corne Tinui General residents as well as travelling holidaymakers and new subdivisions. We also have two rural nurses who r.html are available for any emergencies. In 1980 the community got together and a Trust was formed which purchased the Tinui General Store from Wrightson’s so that it would always be in the hands of the local community. Since then there have been several store keepers, some who have stayed in the District after reselling their store lease. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ Tinui Heritage Tinui war memorial tinui-war-memorial A Wairarapa village is being promoted as the new Gallipoli, with pilgrims urged to stay home to http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2343111/ Tinui Heritage remember our fallen Anzac soldiers. The air force is behind the drive to bring thousands of people to Tiny-Tinui-proposed-as-our-new-Gallipoli Tinui, where our first Anzac memorial service was held in 1916, for Anzac Day commemorations Tinui proves popular as Anzac commemoration venue…Nestled 310 metres above the village on Mt http://www.3news.co.nz/Tinui-proves- Tinui Heritage Maunsell is the first Anzac memorial and the trek is a popular pilgrimage. The memorial sits on private popular-as-Anzac-commemoration- land, but for the past 20 years the land owners have allowed people to come and pay their respects on venue/tabid/423/articleID/101210/Default
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 100 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Anzac Day. .aspx Anzac Day once again saw tiny Tinui swell with people attending the service in the small Wairarapa town. However, it looks like like the air force’s recent proposal to turn Tinui into a place of pilgrimage may have hit a snag. Tinui was the site of the first Anzac Day service in 1916, just one year after the http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2009/05/06/tinui Tinui Heritage Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli. The service was held in the village church, and -tiny-but-historic/ afterwards the villagers processed up Tinui Taipo (a rock outcrop also known as Mt Maunsell) and erected a cross – the first permanent Anzac memorial. The original cross was replaced with an aluminium cross in 1965. Tiny Tinui proposed as our 'new Gallipoli' By TANYA KATTERNS - The Dominion Post A Wairarapa village is being promoted as the new Gallipoli, with pilgrims urged to stay home to remember our fallen Anzac soldiers. The air force is behind the drive to bring thousands of people to Tinui, where our first Anzac memorial service was held in 1916, for Anzac Day commemorations. It comes as warnings continue over the safety and security of the tens of thousands who go to Turkey each year. The commanding officer of pilot training at Ohakea, Paul Stockley, hopes thousands will head to the site. "We see this as an opportunity for young New Zealanders to start a tradition here. While there is always Gallipoli, it was Tinui that had the world's first Anzac day service. "With our support and promotion from this year onwards, http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2343111/ Tinui Heritage hopefully over the years it becomes more and more Tiny-Tinui-proposed-as-our-new-Gallipoli recognised and could see thousands choose Tinui over ... Gallipoli." Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins, who will travel to Gallipoli next week, said Tinui held a special place in Anzac history. "I would be delighted to see Tinui become a place where people come to pay their respects and remember those who have fallen." Senior air force commander Shaun Clarke said 70 personnel would attend a service at Tinui this Anzac Day on April 25, with an advanced party of flag bearers, bugler, firing party and a flyover during the service. In material sent to homes and schools in the central North Island, a message has been: "If you can't make it to Gallipoli, make it to Tinui." Returned and Services Association president Robin Klitscher said though the move should be applauded, it was wrong to single out one site as the focus for commemorations. "That is not what it is about. It is about people recognising their own communities and to go to Gallipoli on Anzac Day or any other day is part of that also." In 1916, the Rev Basil Ashcroft held the first Anzac Day commemoration in the Tinui church, before
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 101 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference leading villagers to the top of Mt Maunsell, or Tinui Taipo as it is known locally, to erect a permanent memorial. That cross became the first Anzac memorial in New Zealand and stood on the hilltop for nearly 50 years before an aluminium cross replaced it in 1965. Forty-eight people from the village died in the two world wars. For nearly two years, the village of just 16 houses has battled to have the site recognised by the Government and the world. The Historic Places Trust will consider funding to investigate registration next month Horse Tinui Horse Trek Tinui . Based at the Historic Te Mai Station. Organised by the Tinui School Parents http://www.iwairarapa.co.nz/events- Tinui trekking Fundraising Committee 2006.htm Tinui has GREAT [climbing] potential..... BUT (and this is a HUGE but) it needs HEAPS of work to make it worth visiting. The trail is crap, the bolts are manky as, the routes are dirty and the trail is CRAP. All Rock Tinui that being said, IF the current farmer was cool to allow a rennisance of the crag I would be keen to http://mojozone.co.nz/forum/tinui climbing invest some serious time there due to its proximity to Palmy. The rock is NOT top quality..... but it IS tall and offers loads of potential for new routes as well as some really nice old ones. There is some limited fishing of the Mangatoro Stream, but the Makuri River (located south of the http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/pdf/ Waewaepa Range) is more popular with local fishermen. Mountain biking and deer hunting is popular in Waewaepa General our_projects/waitahora/T17_Waitahora_ the Waewaepa Range outside the project area. The Dannevirke Lions Club holds an annual Trail Ride Community_Profile_Assessment.pdf on Waewaepa Station once a year to raise funds for the Rescue Chopper. http://ipac.citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz:8080/i pac20/ipac.jsp?session=127A553032PQ Publisher: Manawatu Evening Standard Title: Hikers fear lockout on Waewaepa Abstracts: The 9.9757&profile=main&uri=link=3100013~ Tararua District Council may sell a section of a paper road which provides access to the Waewaepa Waewaepa General !92746~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=su Reserve, popular with walkers and mountain bikers. Subjects: Tararua District Council 2006 – 2010 btab37&menu=search&ri=2&source=~!c Waewaepa Reserve Date of Article: 31 JUL 2006 omres&term=Waewaepa+Reserve&inde x=ZNSBBR Today we trek along and through the middle of the Bush covered Waewaepa Range. Getting to ride Horse http://www.timelesshorsetreks.co.nz/14d Waewaepa over Hill country farmland, Scenic Bush Reserve, the Makairo Track. A day when the riding takes us trekking ay_odyssey.html further away from any population and further into a deserted landscape of endless hills and valleys. Waewaepa mountain bike experience, Waewaepa Scenic Reserve, Makairo Road (western side), approximately 20–30 minutes from Mangatinoka, Northern Wairarapa more Experience one of Wairarapa's most isolated reserves by mountain bike. This trip is supported by Pahiatua locals and Mountain http://www.mikis.co.nz/doc/conservation/ Waewaepa DOC staff. Pick up a map from Mobil petrol station, bike and auto workshop in Pahiatua. Look for DOC biking index.html flags and meet local guides at the Grant's woolshed, Makairo Road – the western side (about 500Ĵm from entrance to reserve) at 2.00pm for ride. Parking is available here. Grade 2 trail, 10 km one-way. Your own bike and some experience is required. Mountain Aim of the day to have adventure and fun including tackling the Makairo track in the DOC administered http://forum.bmwor.org.nz/index.php?top Waewaepa biking Waewaepa Scenic Reserve emerging at Coonor. ic=251.0;wap2
Mountain Waewaepa Scenic Reserve, Makairo Road…Experience one of Wairarapa's most isolated reserves by http://www.wainotgogreen.org/apps/cale Waewaepa biking mountain bike….This trip is supported by Pahiatua locals and DOC staff. Pick up a map from Mobil ndar/showEvent?calID=688963&eventID petrol station, bike and auto workshop in Pahiatua. Look for DOC flags and meet local guides at the =43055180&next=showMonth%3fcalID
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 102 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Grant's woolshed, Makairo Road – the western side (about 500 m from entrance to reserve) at 2.00pm %3d688963%26month%3d8%26year%3 for ride. Parking is available here….Grade 2 trail, 10 km one-way. Your own bike and some experience d2009 is required. Makairo Track Depart from Countdown carpark at 8am for an hour's drive to Makairo Track. Travel up an abandoned road, closed since 1975, that crosses the Waewaepa Range from Makairo to Coonoor http://www.pntmc.org.nz/newsletters/files Waewaepa Walking return. Noted for bush and wildlife variety plus good views at the summit. Dependent on interest - this /2008-09-01.pdf trip can be Easy and/or E/M. The Makairo Track is in the Waewaepa Range out the back of Mangatainoka (near Pahiatua). Until the 1960s it was a public road but the rugged terrain and frequent slips made it difficult to maintain and it http://www.mtsc.org.nz/news/MTSC%20 Waewaepa Walking eventually fell into disrepair. Nowadays it is a popular track for hunters, mountain bikers and trampers. 2008-09.pdf The walk climbs gently for about 6 km up to the summit with some excellent views along the way. Most of the track is through a DOC reserve with attractive vegetation …as we were real keen to get to the coast, we gapped it through the Waihoki, Spur, and Marainanga. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Waihoki Motor biking Awesome roads. Coast road to Akitio. e/index.php/t-102223.html http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showt Hawkes Bay Adventure…..WAIONE, Route 52, Tahuokaretu Rd, Birch Rd East, Birch Rd, Route 52, Waione Motor biking hread.php/78861-Hawke-s-Bay- PORANGAHAU, ... Wairarapa. Haven't got the knowhow to post maps yet. Adventure-1-2-Nov-2008 A quick lunch was taken at the southern most extremity of the ride, in the sun beside the Waione River Mountain having just crossed it. Only knee deep this time - no worries! A short bike push saw us up on a ridge http://www.pntmc.org.nz/newsletters/files Waione biking above the river, which we followed for about a km before a nice descent to the Waione again and only /2009-02-01.pdf an ankle deep crossing this time. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/document Mountain There are three recognised mountain biking tracks within Pureora Forest suitable for a range of fitness s/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and- Waione biking and skills: Select Loop Road, Okahukura Loop and the Waione Tram Mountain Bike Track walks/waikato/pureora-forest-park- brochure.pdf Mountain Accommodation is at Pureora Field Centre and from here there are a number of options. There are http://www.pntmc.org.nz/newsletters/files Waione biking three mountain bike tracks including the 25 km Waione Tram track. /2008-11-01.pdf Mountain The Incline took the rail service over the hills between the Wairarapa and Wellington ...... Ongarue http://www.dayout.co.nz/attraction- Waione biking Tramway and Spiral (Waione Tram Mountain Bike Track) subject-results.asp?subject=which … fueled up and off we went...... went up over wairiri road in to alfredton all going good..headed up 52 and turned in to waihoki valley road, this be good, take a bit of back roads out to the beach http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archiv Wairiri Road Motor biking cool..:rolleyes: so we blatting down the roads, take next turn right, and next turn left, take us on to e/index.php/t-116179.html owahanga road. Accommod http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/Regional1 Whakataki book ahead for self-contained accommodation at the Castlepoint Holiday Park or Whakataki Hotel. ation 01_Castlepoint.html http://www.magazinenz.com/nz/destinati Accommod on/show.aspx?country=nz&unit=n_waira Whakataki if all else fails a fish supper from the Whakataki Hotel will have to do! ation rapa&doc=4&dsc=Castlepoint_Wairarap a
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 103 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference This film clip from the 1950s shows the Castlepoint races. The following ditty by ‘Neuchamp’ is thought http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa- Whakataki Events to have been penned after the 1894 Castlepoint races. …... ‘Lines on the Whakataki races’ region/14/3 Fishing – Whakataki: I personally have not fished this area but have heard of kontiki fisherman taking the odd http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/areas/waira Whakataki General snapper here rapa.htm If you turn off at Whakataki and drive to Mataikona there is a reef a short way off shore just in front of Fishing – the settlement that is exposed and low tide and creates something like a really large rock pool which http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/pri Whakataki General can get some slightly better viz. In there you will find massive amounts of crays the only problem is they nter_friendly_posts.asp?TID=39078 are all tiny though you can find the odd legal cray if you sort through them. http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/new- zealand/north-island/wellington- Whakataki Golf Golf course at Whakataki manawatu-wairarapa/castle- point/listing/570.html Whakataki the Wharenui at Whakataki was called Matira the name refers to what we know as today as Castle Rock. This is translated as (“pointing upwards and or a lookout point”) thus in former times Castle Rock (“Matira”) was used as a lookout point to see approaching canoes or war parties from the Whakataki Heritage South. Sadly the Wharenui was burnt down in the 1980’s and the only part of the whare that did not http://www.papauma.co.nz/marae perish was the tekoteko whose name is Whareaute. All families who claim to be a descendant of this marae are descendants of Whareaute. After the fire local Maori of the day presented the tekoteko to the Whakataki Hotel, for safe keeping until such time as a new meeting house is built Heritage/ http://www.mstn.govt.nz/planning/combi Ditton Homestead, Whangaehu Valley Road, Whangaehu Valley (Pt Sec 1 Rangitumau District) Ditton Whangaehu conservatio nedplan/reports/Historic%20Heritage%2 Woolshed, Whangaehu Valley Road, Whangaehu Valley (Pt Sec 1 Rangitumau District) n 0Decision,%20FINAL,%2020080311.pdf http://cartertondc.co.nz/district- Heritage/ plan/Documents/PROPOSED%20WAID The following water bodies have been identified as significant for their combined conservation, Whangaehu conservatio P%20Decision%20Version%20Accept% recreation or other values…Whangaehu River Notable Trees…Two Oak trees Whangaehu Hall n 20All%20Changes,%20FINAL,%20Appe ndices%201-6.pdf Bartons Line is a great piece of New Zealand gravel road which is also used as part of longer stages in the Wairarapa Rally. It is to the east of (and about 15 minutes) from Eketahuna in the Northern http://www.motorsportcentral.co.nz/SSI/b Whangaehu Motorsport Wairarapa….after approx. 7 km turn left onto Whangaehu Valley Road, after 25 km turn left into Bartons artons.php Line. All of the eastern Wairarapa streams are extremely prone to flooding and have had 3-4 100 year floods Fishing - over the past 2 decades. All of them hold trout at times... they heat up markedly in summer and the fish http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/for Whareama general tend to head down to the estuaries and sea. There is even a small salmon run in the Whareama the um_posts.asp?TID=38203 locals try to keep very quiet about... an even better number of sea runs. Ngti Hmua fished during the migration periods of the fish. They knew that the roe was fattest at these http://www.rangitane.iwi.nz/education/att Fishing - times and so the maximum nutritional value could be derived from the fish. Often fishing was Whareama achments/055_enviro_edusheets_sheet general undertaken at night because this was when the fish came out to eat. Places such as the Whareama and 5-ocean.pdf Mataikona rivers were targeted during annual migrations. Whareama Horses Shane Dougan says the 160km ride will be held over six loops covering farmland around the ride base http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.as
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 104 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference at Whareama Domain, east of Masterton. He says much of the course is flat, with some rolling hills px?Mode=1&ID=2948 and mostly good conditions underfoot, so it is likely to be a fast track and many competitors will not need to take anything like the maximum 16 hours allowed to complete the course No written record of races actually at Castlepoint can be found until 1875 — and then only in the form of a newspaper story saying that a scheduled meeting had not been held. However, the Wairarapa http://www.castlepoint.co.nz/Presentatio Whareama Horses Standard of January 4, 1873, recorded that, '… the Whareama Races, despite sundry charitable n/Presentation1.aspx?ID=13622 rumours to the contrary, are now an accomplished fact.' The Wairarapa Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club will host the national endurance championships at the Whareama Domain at Easter Weekend 2009. Hundreds are expected for the http://www.wairarapanz.com/?q=event/2 Whareama Horses event which can be likened to a cross-country mega-marathon for horses with the longest "race" 009/04/08 covering 160kms and will take 10 hours to complete http://www.mountnimrodenduranceriding Whareama Horses Mt Nimrod Endurance Riders Club….Wairarapa Whareama CTR 16km, 32km club.com/ridedates.htm total of 94 horse and rider combinations from around New Zealand took part in the weekend http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.as Whareama Horses championships, from around New Zealand took part in the weekend championships, which was based px?ID=2964&Mode=1 at Whareama, east of Masterton and took riders across rolling and flat Wairarapa farmland. he Woodville Lions club is running 4x4 trip on the 21st February 2010. This is a regular event that has been run successfully for a number of years. The meeting point is at the usual place, the corner of http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums Woodville 4WD Hopelands Road and Bluff Road Woodville. The trip is intended for all 4x4 vehicles with a low range /viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19904 transfer box. A "soft" (shinny) trip with no damage expected although with any type of offroad driving damage is possible http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php?i Woodville Camping Woodville Camping Ground, Ross Street, Woodville d=342 Expect to see current and former American champions at full stretch at the 49th annual Woodville Woodville Event http://www.bikesportnz.com/?p=2305 Motocross GP this weekend http://tvnz.co.nz/motorsport- Motor bike race - National champion Justin McDonald took out the prestigious International Trophy race Woodville Event news/mcdonald-triumphs-over-townley- at Woodville on Sunday 3346346 The Grand Prix Motocross is held annually in Woodville and is generally on the last weekend in January. This 3 day event attracts international riders and is an exciting one to watch. The event is held http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Event by the Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Club and is held at the Woodville end of the Manawatu Gorge. Tim bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php Gibbes was the key figure in promoting this event almost 50 years ago and his foresight lives on. A hill climb for rally cars, this event is held annually in March by the Dannevirke Car Club. At 7.9 kilometres, it is the longest distance hill climb in the southern hemisphere. It is one of the few gravel hill http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Event climb events. It draws competitors from all over New Zealand, including national rally champions and bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php enthusiastic beginners. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion- Woodville Motorcross…But this year that is exactly what New Zealand's greatest show on turf, the post/local/wairarapa- Woodville Event Woodville Motocross, will be celebrating when the gate drops for racing this weekend, the event this news/3265882/Woodville-Motocross- year sponsored by Blue Wing Honda, and carrying the New Zealand motocross GP titles. races-to-its-49th-year
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 105 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference Despite the weather conditions at this year’s Honda International Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville http://www.newbike.co.nz/2010/02/team- Woodville Event last weekend, the Team Honda riders still shone in the mud. honda-shine-in-the-mud-at-woodville/ The area is well known for its excellent fishing, hunting and tramping - an abundance of outdoor Woodville General http://tararua.net/woodville.html activities. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ Woodville Heritage Woodville war memorial woodville-war-memorial http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/woo Woodville Heritage Woodville Pioneer Museum dville-pioneer-museum-tararua-woodville Te Ahu A Turanga Marae was built mainly by volunteers, was finally completed and officially opened on 5th March 1994. Te Ahu A Turanga Marae is a multi-cultural Marae. This means that the Marae is for http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Heritage the use of all Woodville people and all tribes. All iwi are represented in the carvings- Ngahauewha (the bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php four winds) meaning tribes from all corners of the country The Feilding & District Steam Rail Society regularly run steam train excursions through Woodville. A http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Heritage totally unique experience to travel through the Manawatu Gorge on a steam locomotive whether it’s just bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php for the experience or on your way to a special event. The Woodville Pioneer Museum has a display of objects and records donated and loaned that pertain to the history of Woodville and the surrounding districts. The main building was Woodville Borough's http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/account/3 Woodville Heritage Library and Librarians residence from c1890 until 1957 and is close to the business area and park 100 (Fountaine Square). The name Woodville, and outstanding achievements in New Zealand horse racing are synonymous. Some attribute the magic of Woodville to the springy turf that flourishes in the shade of the Ruahine Horse - http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Ranges. Others say it's the mineral rich grass and some say it's the local water. Whatever it is, Other bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php Woodville attracts the finest trainers and jockeys, who have prepared and raced notable winners throughout New Zealand and Australia. The Woodville and Pahiatua Racing Clubs were separate entities until they amalgamated in 1986. The http://www.hawkesbayracing.co.nz/index Horse – Club now boasts members from the Manawatu, Central Districts and Central Hawkes Bay. Woodville Woodville .php?option=com_content&view=article& Other Racecourse is nestled below the Tararua and Ruahine ranges with windmills standing as sentinels, id=26&Itemid=20 which has made Woodville “The Windmill Capital of New Zealand” I arrived at the Woodville track Saturday afternoon in nice sun shine and couldn’t wait to ride the fast http://www.rmcc.org.nz/results/nz-gp- Woodville Motor biking tacky flowing track. woodville/ One of its kind in New Zealand, this walk takes you through the Manawatu Gorge along the railway lines! A very different view of the Gorge, through the tunnels and the walk takes in some stunning http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Walk scenery. The Woodville Lions Club hold this annual event each year around March /April and is always bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php extremely popular. Contact the Tararua i-SITE in Woodville MANAWATU GORGE TRACK & TUNNEL WALK A walk along the railway lines, through tunnels, held http://whatson.msn.co.nz/2010/may/woo Woodville Walk annually by Woodville Lions Clu dville/manawatu-gorge-track-tunnel-walk
Coppermine Creek - Copper was first discovered in the Maharahara area, approximately seven miles http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Walking north east of Woodville, in 1887, and from that date, considerable time and money had been spent in bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php attempts to find the main lode. From the Coppermine Road end close to Woodville there are
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 106 Rob Greenaway & Associates Location Activity Text (verbatim) Reference opportunities for picnicking. There is access to an easy, sheltered low level forest walk as well as more challenging walks to higher levels: The Coppermine Creek Track is a pleasant walk through lowland forest to an are Woodville Lions Manawatu Gorge Track n Tunnel Walk. The 1½ to 2½ hour walk along 8km of the railway line from east to west through the Manawatu Gorge has become a draw card for walkers from all http://ourregion.co.nz/woodville-lions- Woodville Walking over the southern North Island. Includes thirteen bridges and the two long tunnels to negotiate, the walk manawatu-gorge-track-n-tunnel-walk/ provides a uniquely enjoyable experience. - Moderate fitness required - Sturdy footwear - Wet weather clothing - Strong torch required - No Gate sales On a recent trip through the central part of New Zealand's North Island we came across the biggest wind farms in the southern hemisphere and they looked utterly spectacular. The farms are on Saddle Rd near Woodville and straddle the Tararua mountain range north of Palmerston North. In all there are http://www.tikitouring.co.nz/wind- Woodville Wind farms 158 of the 70 metre high turbines and they sit like giant children's windmills on the horizon. They look farms.htm amazing from a distance but you can drive right up under one and get to experience just how phenomenal they are. Windf arms are located near Woodville. The Tararua Windfarm is situated on the Tararua Ranges just south of the Manawatu Gorge. The site is located on 700 hectares of private land on a ridge of rolling http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz/pages/a Woodville Wind farms hills which continues to be used for sheep and beef farming. It is approximately 4 kilometres south-west bout-us/unique-to-woodville.php of Ashhurst, 5 kilometres west of Woodville, 11 kilometres east of Palmerston North ….
Castle Hill Wind Farm Proposal | Recreation and Tourism AEE July 2011 107 Rob Greenaway & Associates