Popular South Waikato walkway to re-open for summer

Friday, 20 September 2024

The popular Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway attracts between 45,000 and 50,000 visitors a year.

Work to repair the Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway near Putaruru will begin in the coming weeks and it should re-open by summer.

Earlier this month, the South Waikato District Council awarded the tender for the project to Keir Landscaping and Structures after the walkway was fully closed to the public due to safety concerns in November last year.

The walkway is well known for its pristine water and is popular with locals and tourists alike, seeing approximately 45,000 to 50,000 visitors a year.

Work to repair the Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway is underway.

The track at the Leslie Rd end of the walkway was closed to the public in June 2023 after a rockfall.

Following the slip, visitors used the Whites Rd (SH28) carpark entrance to gain access, however this caused an overflow of cars and significant safety issues on the adjacent state highway.

This led to the entire walkway being closed by council in November 2023 for safety reasons.

People parking their cars on State Highway 28 to access the Blue Spring Walkway caused significant safety issues.

Early estimates for the work came in at under $1 million.

Council chief executive Susan Law said the council took a “huge step” making the decision to close the walkway, but it was the right move.

“We needed to do that to ensure people’s safety and find a better route as the cliff face was unstable and will slide again,” Law said.

“We set ourselves a deadline to re-open after a year and after much work with our stakeholders and partners, we are proud to have reached this milestone which puts us on track to meet that deadline.

“Furthermore, I believe that this project is a testament to council’s dedication to our communities.

“The Blue Spring is a gem in our district, and its re-opening before the busy tourist season will bring welcome economic benefits to our small towns.”

Te Waihou, with its natural taonga (treasure), the Blue Spring has a rich history deeply intertwined with Raukawa iwi.

The Waihou River served as a vital resource, offering sustenance and passage for both locals and historical figures like King Tāwhiao Pōtatau Te Wherowhero.

Today, the South Waikato community continues to cherish Te Waihou.

“Raukawa and the hapū surrounding the awa considers the restoration, protection and sustainability of Te Waihou to be of paramount importance,” Raukawa Tāhuhu Rangapū (chief executive) Maria Te Kanawa said.

Te Puna (Blue Spring’s) remarkable clarity and vibrant blue-green hue are due to its purity as particles are removed during its underground journey starting at the Mamaku Plateau, a process that takes many decades.

This natural wonder supplies a substantial 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water.

Throughout the closure period, council worked closely with Raukawa Charitable Trust, surrounding landowners, the Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council.