This little storm gained momentum when Ian Ashmore posted a NZHerald article (which TRM had previously posted) – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/…/PWDRXK4KVBABPJFN6DNIJFTRXE/
This was followed by an encouraging response with over 100 comments which confirmed again how concerned local residents are about the condition and safety factors on SH1 between Turangi and Taupo. We watched with interest until the ‘Admin’ below commented critically about the lack of interest from our Taupo MP, Louise Upston. This was clearly unfair as she has been an outstanding MP promoting this region for many years and has taken a close interest in this road for both developing a tourist bike trail and for promoting an alternative inland route to avoid Bulli Point.
So we were delighted to correct Admin – John Mack – and joined in the fun with a photo of a petition that Louise Upston circulated three years ago. No surprise, that was quickly deleted from Ian’s post. That added to the intrigue at why John Mack was attacking the local MP. Perhaps he might have had another political agenda?
To understand the reason for his venom you need to read through the posts that have since been deleted from Ian Ashmore’s post:
(On a wet Sunday you might need a strong cup of tea too)
Admin
Ian Ashmore that’s why our local mp should be advocating for us, but if you don’t live here why would you?
Author
John Mack couldn’t agree more
Ian Ashmore This petition by Louise Upston was circulated and signed by many locals and visitors for the 2020 election.
Admin
Tongariro River Motel she never approached council once in the 3 years I was there, seems she doesn’t feel keeping the Taupo region informed is important,
John Mack Her aim was correctly directed at those driving over the T2T, aiming at the visiting tourist market. That petition was in the shops and motels and cafes where tourists would see it. I know we – TRM – provided several pages of signatures. There was no mileage in placing it at council’s reception. You must have been asleep? She has done much more than Toepaw council have, to promote the proposed Turangi to Taupo bypass route over the last 15 years.
I thought Ian’s blog was about the deterioration of the road to Taupo and the need for a SH1 bypass – over land they also don’t own. Instead, you hide behind Council’s failure to proceed with the T2T bike trail, which has nothing at all to do with the potholes etc… OK then…if you want to be picky. Your own Council’s Economic Survey for Turangi reported the T2T bike trail as the most important future project to secure Turangi’s future prospects. So you ignored it?
Admin
Tongariro River Motel and yet you brought up the T2T which was completely irrelevant to the debate, you were told on many occasions to approach Turangitukua and ask them for permission to cross their land as we could not progress without it and they didn’t give it. did you bother?
YES! – On 23 February 2017 we held a hui at our motel to introduce the original T2T feasibility study to several Turangitukua elders led by Tuatea Smallman. It was not over their land. They were disappointed that Taupo Council had not involved them in the project. They all endorsed the T2T. If you had done your homework with Tong Kingi you would know this. I think you owe me an apology – but I won’t hold my breath.
(Also at that meeting were three Taupo Council senior staff, the General Manager of DGLT(Destination Great Lake Taupo), Damian Coutts, an official from Justice Department – see photo of Kaumatuas below)
Admin
Tongariro River Motel you won’t be getting one either 2017 that’s 6 years ago mate, show me one piece of evidence from 2020 onwards where anyone said this was supported by anyone you just mentioned, i suggest Ross you do some work to get the govt, council and Turangitukua involved if you still think it’s a good idea,( oh and the money) don’t expect everyone else to run around after you.
TRM are happy to respond to John’s invitation to show him the evidence… Again John has tried to mislead Turangi. Below is irrefutable evidence of Council’s support from 2020 onwards:
T2T Turangi to Taupo Bike Trail
‘Great Walk’ to Turangi features in Taupō economic strategy
Further to the announcement that $15.9 Million is available for recreational purposes in Turangi, TRM repeat the news article published 3 years ago by Robert Steven.
This confirms Council support for bike trail extensions to the existing Tongariro River Trail.
The Council support concurs with the Economic Strategy Report previously prepared which advised the bike trail was the most important project to secure the future prospects of Turangi.
Since then in late 2020 the Council Transport Strategy Committee confirmed the bike trail extensions as a priority project.
An economic development plan for Taupō features an $18million walk/cycle trail and a bigger airport terminal.
The “District Economic Strengthening Strategy” report has been approved by councillors and sent out for public scrutiny this week.
It includes six “catalyst projects”, which involve upgrading the airport, the civic precinct, creating a “tertiary hub”, promoting the district’s geothermal industry, marketing the Wairakei Tourist Park, and building a cycle trail from Turangi to Taupō.
Mayor David Trewavas is scheduled to meet with Minister of Regional Development Shane Jones on Friday to discuss the plan. This follows a meeting in Wellington last month.
“We’ll talk about our application for a share of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, which could provide some revenue to facilitate these developments,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time: we’re transforming from a provincial town to a reasonable-sized metropolitan, and we need the infrastructure to cater for this.”
It is hoped the proposed Turangi-to-Taupō cycle trail could join the list of New Zealand’s Great Walks, Trewavas said.
“It would be like the Otago Rail Trail.
“For all those areas down south [of Taupō], this would be a huge game-changer
However, the cycle route could not go via the narrow, winding roads at Bulli Point, he said.
The trail would need to go inland, like the existing stretch of SH1 between Waitahanui and Hatepe.
“There is a long-term plan to divert [SH1] from Bulli Point, but it’s quite a fair way out,” Trewavas said.
“We’re advocating that the government bring that forward.”
Agreements with the owners of the land the trail would pass through, which is currently forestry, would also need to be reached, he said.
“It’s predominantly Maori-owned land.
“The potential economic benefits of the cycle trail would be huge, so we’re certainly trying to push our way through this with all stakeholders on board,” he said.
“It’ll be a walkway as well. It’d be great for accommodation providers and local businesses the whole way along the trail. It’s a huge opportunity for everyone.”
The total cost to build the track is estimated at $18.3 million
Construction of the trail will create new 47 regional jobs and between $2.87m and $4.71m in annual regional income, the report says.
Further to revive John’s failed memory is more evidence above, dated 27 November 2022, to illustrate this T2T is not simply TRM’s concept; it is described as being designed by Destination Great Lake Taupo, Go Tongariro and Bike Taupo. The Turangi Tongariro Community Board granted $20,000 towards the project for the feasibility study in 2021.
So why has John Mack misled the readers on the post by Ian Ashmore? It has been pointed out to us that John’s wife, Zane Cozens, (they are legally married) another x-councilor, is standing for the ACT political party, so his obvious strategy is to criticise our existing MP. We all know politics can be a grubby business but, after John decided to put the boot into TRM as well, this was too juicy not to share.
To indicate to John how long the Council (during the term of the previous Mayor, Rick Cooper) and our Taupo MP have been promoting more bike trails around Turangi, the following photo is of Louise Upston surveying the proposed route, from the bridge at Pillars of Hercules, for the three-day loop bike trail south of Turangi, as promoted by the Advocates for the Tongariro River, in December 2007.
You really need to do more homework John, before you mislead Turangi again. I rest my case.
