Kaiapoi Island opens to public

December 4, 2007

MEDIA STATEMENT

Kaiapoi Island opens to public

Kaiapoi Island, part of the Waimakariri River Regional Park, opens to the public this weekend (Saturday, December 8).

Kaiapoi Island is about 8.5km long and stretches from the Kaiapoi River to about five kilometres west of the motorway. Access to the area is off Wrights Road just north of the Waimakariri River on Main North Road

The area has been transformed from what was once a dumping ground into a recreational area with something for everyone, says Environment Canterbury Chairman Sir Kerry Burke.

Separate areas have been created for a wide range of recreational activities including fishing, mountain biking, jet boating, trail bike riding, picnics and walking.

“We wanted all the varying river users to exist in harmony and also discourage some of the anti-social activities of car and rubbish dumping which riverbeds are notorious for in New Zealand,” Sir Kerry says.

“Kaiapoi Island has its own trail bike area away from the quieter parts of the park where people may want to have a picnic or go for a walk.”

Kaiapoi Island is divided into three sections; the Poynter Nature Reserve, Wright’s Cut and Day’s Run.

The Poynter Nature Reserve was named after Bob Poynter, a former river engineer, who was active in planting the area initially. This area includes a nature walk, riparian forest and wetland area.

Wright’s Cut, which is the park’s main entrance area, was historically a dumping ground for cars and other rubbish.

The new-look Wright’s Cut enhances access for jet boats and improves access for other water-based activities from the river’s shingle beaches. Wright’s Cut is also the main service area with information panels and toilet facilities.

Trail bikers have a separate area at Day’s Run, the upstream section of Kaiapoi Island.

All the areas are inter-connected with tracks for cyclists and walkers and are linked with the Kaiapoi and Clarkville communities.

The first stage of the Waimakariri River Regional Park at McLeans Island was opened by Environment Canterbury in September last year and has been enjoyed by many Cantabrians, particularly mountain bikers.

The Waimakariri River Regional Park development will be completed in 2012 and includes several biodiversity enhancement projects.

“The development of the park gives us the opportunity to protect and enhance our natural environment, and also encourage more people to enjoy this marvellous environmental and recreational resource so close to Christchurch,” Sir Kerry Burke says.

ENDS

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