The Banks Peninsula Track marks quarter century

The Banks Peninsula Track marks a quarter century with a generous donation to the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.

Twenty five years ago a group of landowners on the Banks Peninsula "Wildside" came together to create the Banks Peninsula Track company. They offer two and four days walks across their private land, the first private walking track in New Zealand, offering access to otherwise non-accessible views, accommodation, orientation and pack cartage options.

Part of the wonder of the Banks Peninsula Track is the wildlife walkers have the opportunity to see including the white-flippered penguin /korora, and the larger yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, both treasured wildlife of the area. The rare hoiho is here at its northern most breeding limit, and the white-flippered race of blue penguin is restricted as a breeding bird to Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island.

The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust work with landowners on the Peninsula to protect flora and fauna. They covenant land, educate and provide pest control assistance. This work has enhanced the work carried out by many individuals to create greater benefit for the flora and fauna on the Peninsula.

Background information
Banks Peninsula Track marks quarter century

December 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the Banks Peninsula Track, the first of New Zealand's "private" tracks - that is, multiday walks across privately owned land rather than across public land managed by the Department of Conservation. The seven families that own and operate the Banks Peninsula Track joined forces in the late 1980s, looking for ways to diversify their income base after some difficult years of drought and falling prices for agricultural products. At the same time the Maurice White Native Forest Trust was establishing Hinewai Reserve as a major conservation imitative east of Akaroa.

During that first summer the physical track was formed across varied and scenic terrain, bridges and stiles were constructed, signs erected, huts built. All the background organised blossomed into a successful low key venture in green tourism. 296 people walked the track in the first (short) season of 1989-90. In ensuing years numbers grew to between 1800 and 2600 walkers a season.

The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 halved numbers, not because of damage to the track or infrastructure, which was slight, but because potential customers formed a mistaken perception of post-quake risk. Numbers have rebuilt over the last two seasons, so the BP Track continues to be an important player in the economic life of Akaroa district.

As one way of marking the quarter century, the Track company is making a substantial donation to the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for continued predator and possum control on the Peninsula's "Wildside" which the track traverses, in particular to enhance protection of the white-flippered penguin / korora, and the larger yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, both treasured wildlife of the area. The rare hoiho is here at its northern most breeding limit, and the white-flippered race of blue penguin is restricted as a breeding bird to Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island.

The Banks Peninsula Track Season runs from the beginning of October to the end of April each year, with four day and two day walking options. A maximum of sixteen walkers set out each day. Booking is essential; bunks and all other facilities are assured; pack cartage is available. Some shorter walks, of one and two days, are now being offered by the track company.

The website is www.bankstrack.co.nz
www.bpct.org.nz

ENDS

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