Pathway to prosperity: Te Araroa Trail’s $3m potential for Mid Canterbury
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Getting more boots on the ground could be worth about $3 million annually for the Ashburton District.
An economic analysis report revealed the potential for a significant financial boost for Mid Canterbury from the Te Araroa Trail, particularly benefiting the Methven area.
The report suggests that elevating the trail's profile could increase its economic impact, making it a valuable asset for local tourism and the wider community.
Te Araroa is New Zealand's long-distance tramping route, stretching around 3000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
In Mid Canterbury the Te Araroa trail crosses the district between Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers, creating a natural barrier that requires people to detour using roads to reconnect to the trail at either end of the district.
The result is trail walkers are forced out of the foothills to cross the rivers by road, presenting an opportunity for Mid Canterbury, specifically Methven, to capture the walkers looking to resupply or rest for a night.
The $22,000 report, co-funded evenly by the Ashburton District Council and the Te Araroa Trust, found that the existing 4000 Te Araroa hikers in the 2022-23 season spent $515,400 a year in Methven.
It’s estimated making improvements to the trail and increased marketing could bring in around $3 million annually to the district.
The Te Araroa Trust was interested in making the isolated Rakaia to Rangitata section more accessible for trail walkers and also cater to people not interested in or able to walk the full route.
The trust came up with the concept of a Te Araroa Iti (small piece), which if developed could increase the value to the local economy.
The Te Araroa Trust will need to invest in infrastructure along the track including huts, toilets and track maintenance to help improve the appeal of the bite-size walk.
Economic development manager Simon Worthington said the council has “leaned in to help the Trust understand the opportunity”.
Now it’s up to the council to “walk alongside them, helping them to engage with local groups… but not for us as council to put any investment into that”.
If the trust decided to proceed with developing the smaller trail, there was an opportunity for the council to support that through better promotion he said.
The trust was contacted for comment.
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Kmart duvet recall
Kmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.
What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A recall of the products began in Australia following health concerns from several families.
- One woman said she thought she was having a heart attack after using one of the products which smelt of diesel.
- One customer said she’d purchased the quilt covers and said they smelled like gas. Another mum said hers did not have that smell but claimed her son developed a rash that only went away when he stopped using the product.
- The product is no longer available for purchase on the Kmart website.
Regardless of whether you have experienced an issue, customers who have purchased this item may return the product to store for a refund.
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