Key's cycleway cutting through the forest

Prime Minister John Key and the local Community Max boys are on the same track - working to establish a national cycleway through New Zealand.

While Mr Key has pushed the project through Government, one of the local Community Max employment scheme teams is working on cutting new tracks through the Tongariro National Park, linking sections of the Old Coach Road between Ohakune and Horopito.

In recent weeks they have been working on two new sections - one from the old Hapuawhenua Viaduct west to link up with the Skyline section of the Ohakune Old Coach Road and a second from the Taonui Viaduct to link up with the other end of the Skyline section. This track cuts 500 metres up the Taonui Stream then switches back up the side of the gully, then carries on across level land for about 200-300 metres to the Old Coach Road.

Both sections of track are through stands of native forest - some untouched before.

The tracks will be built to cycling standard - grade 2-3, suitable for families, without serious obstacles but with some steeper sections (6-15%).

The crews are working with Department of Conservation staff in cutting the tracks, which will be level and about 1.5 metres wide, meandering around the bigger trees which are being left in place.

Also working on the project are two trainee rangers from Nelson and a Maori conservation cadet.

Pictured at the new Taonui Stream track are: DoC ranger Dean Corrigan with Community Max workers Max Zweibruck, William Condon and James Balfour.

Ruapehu Bulletin ~ 8 December 2009