Toitū Te Whenua Storytelling Project

The ‘Akatarawa Traverse' is the working title for a potential multi-use (largely non-motorized) trail from the Kapiti Coast to the Hutt Valley.    

The approximate route is identified broadly in the Plan (Map 4, page 88). Planning will consider opportunities to follow early Māori routes, former logging tramways and important natural areas such as the Whakatiki wetland. Storytelling at the Karapoti Road end is also planned so the route may head in this direction through the gorge. The trail may also feature key stopping places like Orange Hut, where facilities can be enhanced.  

Action A100 c. Akatarawa Traverse (journey). Identify and promote a long-distance walking/riding trail from the Hutt River, Akatarawa to the coast at QEP (using existing trails), including Battle Hill connection. Support with appropriate facilities. 

Battle Hill is a great destination for families with its campground and stream, and Riding for Disabled is based there. This project is to develop a highly accessible sensory trail.

Actions:

A136 Investigate highly accessible and sensory trail opportunities

A137 Accessible trail. Enhance and extend to create a short highly accessible trail and picnic area alongside the Horokiri stream from the Dell area east

The wetland swale could become a feature of the trail beside the Dell picnic area

The circuit trail is existing and identified in Toitū Te Whenua on Map 9, page 116. It passes more than 15 bunkers (WWII munitions stores) and provides a great opportunity and place to reveal the history of the bunkers together with current park stories such as bush restoration and work to enhance downstream freshwater. Numerous wetland gullies can be seen from the trail. In the short-term directional markers are planned so it’s easier to find your way around.  

A170 h. Hill Road heritage hub (Heritage) – Develop an easy access circuit trail (following existing routes) to the magazines from the top of Hill Road car park, suitable for families and others.

• Interpret the magazines and other munition bunkers enroute with storytelling and other creative approaches.
• Add signs, seats and remove redundant farm fences.
• Convert woolshed toilets to public access.

Related Action: A174 Enable more people to easily access and enjoy the munitions bunker area of the park by opening dawn to dusk public vehicle access to the large carpark at the top of Hill Road. Improve the car park, shelter, signs, toilets and other amenities. Enhance existing easy trails to bunkers, removing gates and fence obstacles.

One of the WWII munition bunkers on the Bunker Trail

This is an exciting opportunity for mātauranga storytelling development with the mana whenua Rōpu Tiaki group (Taranaki Whānui/ Port Nicholson Block Trust).

Action: Work with and support PNBST to reveal stories to people visiting the park.

This project will see a dark sky museum/centre developed at the Lower Dam Heritage Hub. The park is a great place to see the night sky without much light pollution. In the daytime the museum/centre will be a great place for learning.

Action:

A376c Night sky stargazing – Enhance and promote the park as a key Wellington night sky viewing destination with a new dark sky museum, interpretation and other features.

A389 Work to gain ‘International Dark Sky Park’ status for the park in liaison with supporting groups and others. Develop education opportunities and storytelling as part of place making activities so the park can be a key dark sky viewing destination close to Wellington

Wainuiomata Ranger’s Office and Water Museum – possible site for the Dark Sky Museum/Centre

A picture from the first dark skies event held in partnership with Wellington Astronomical society

Image taken of the milky way from within the Wainuiomata Water collection area (Can you spot the Galactic Kiwi?)

Storytelling will be added at the Ramaroa entry hub and the nearby wetland area trails which will also be enhanced. The wetlands loop trail will be extended and upgraded to be more accessible.   

Action: A344c. Wetlands discovery – Develop trails, boardwalk, bird hides, storytelling trails as the peat wetlands of the park are progressively restored

Queen Elizabeth Park current wetland interpretation signage

Wetland at Queen Elizabeth Park

Ramaroa at Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park current pathway