The
365m cycleway takes in the volcanic cone of Puketapapa-Mt Roskill in Winstone Park. It
features stone walls and picnic and open-space areas, as well as fencing designed in
consultation with Ngati Whatua representatives. There is also a carved Maori waharoa
(gateway) at the park's cycleway entrance, as a reminder of the mountain's history as a pa
site.
Construction of the cycleway project took six months and was jointly funded by Auckland
City Council, the Mt Roskill Community Board and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
"The view from Puketapapa-Mt Roskill is great and the cycleway will be a legacy
for future generations to enjoy," says Councillor John Lister, Auckland City
Council's cycling and road safety spokesperson.
The Mt Roskill Community Board's chairperson, Richard Barter, adds that the path has
already proven to be popular, even before its official opening.
"This is very satisfying and I urge more people to come and enjoy it," he
says.
(From City Scene 25/07/2010)
Ngarimu
Blair speaking about the history of Puketapapa,
and the involvement of Ngati Whatua.
Ngarimu
Blair is Ngati Whatua o Orakei’s spokesperson on heritage and environment. He is a
heritage and urban planner specialising in urban sustainability issues and has developed
plans for harnessing 21st century technology while returning the dormant values
of kaitiakitanga.
Ngarimu’s
work has involved revitalising Te Reo ( the Maori language), art, haka, waiata and other
Maori cultural assets. This has entailed research into the role of Maori heritage in
creating unique spaces and places. He is
currently managing the largest ecological restoration project on the Auckland Isthmus,
this is being undertaken at Bastion Point and is unique in Aotearoa (New Zealand) for the scale of its native forest
restoration without the use of pesticides and chemicals.
He is also a
trustee of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board and a director on all of its
companies.
Ngarimu
was the recipient of the 2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award.
The
Waharoa at the entrance to the pathway.
The flat top of the Waharoa represents the flat top of Puketapapa
(which means flat topped hill) and its volcanic origins are also evident
John
Gregory, ACTA's President, has had a very active involvement in the
development of the pathway and here he is invited by Richard Barter,
chairperson of the Mt Roskill Community Board, to be
the first cyclist to pass
after the tape had been cut.
Onlookers include The Hon. Phil Goff, Leader of the Labour Party and MP for Mt
Roskill; John's wife Briar;
Deputy Mayor David Hay; Councillor Ken Baguley; and Ngarimu Blair, Ngati Whatua
Spokesman.
Ngarimu
has pointed out other volcanic features to the attentive crowd.
Approaching the end of the path Ngarimu speaks of the flora of
Puketapapa.
A final address at the western end of the path where everyone has
taken heed of the sign.
The
ACTA riders carried on to Pt Chevalier for coffee and then took a
rather devious route in to town before settling down to lunch
at Party Central. The end of Queen's Wharf was an ideal place for lunch.
We did wonder, though, just how many revellers may end up in the tide
when they are partying here. Will big barriers be erected, blocking the
view,
to save them from themselves? Or will there be safety nets strung below
the level of the wharf?.
At the Mangere Bridge there was a major challenge getting bikes
up to the road deck.
Fortunately
there were many willing hands
offered by men in safety vests and hard hats.
The start of the Onehunga Foreshore path. You will probably
have
trouble seeing this when you drive on the motorway.
A view along the Foreshore Path.
This is what we came to do : ride over the motorway bridge a couple
of days
before it goes in to vehicular use.
Photos
John McK.
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