In 2022, volunteer Peter Coburn began the initial predator control efforts along the Kawatiri Coastal Trail by installing his own personal traps in the boardwalk area of the Pūwaha section of the KCT. Since then, the KCT team, with assistance from some experienced community volunteers have established a further trapping line on the Omau section and most recently, laid traps throughout the Ōkari section of the trail. These volunteers have committed over 200 hours in the past year to pest management and have successfully eradicated over 100 predators throughout these three sections. Camera sur ..read more

250 competitors and as many spectators turned out for the 2nd Rocky Point Run event and organisers are calling it a “very successful” event in perfect weather conditions, with a great atmosphere. Last year’s inaugural event had 104 competitors and the committee’s goal this year was to double the number – it was great to reach this goal and more! This was in no small way attributed to the Rocky Point Run volunteer committee & their amazing team of helpers. A big thank you also goes out to sponsors; Martins Mitre 10, Buller Electricity, Westreef Services, NBS bank and DWC – without their ge ..read more

Rocky Point Run Tauranga Bay to Carters Beach | Sunday October 22nd REGISTER NOW! The Rocky Point Trail Run is the beautiful Buller region’s latest contribution to the New Zealand running calendar. Utilising recently opened sections of trail, the run takes competitors on a scenic journey from Tauranga Bay to Carters Beach. 25km Run Following the same route as the 12.5km course; 25km runners will carry on to the Puwaha section of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, over the Martins Creek Suspension Bridge onto an elevated boardwalk through pristine wetlands. Competitors will follow The Trail a ..read more

agsdi-ribbon Platinum Sponsor NBS Supporting Our Community The Kawatiri Coastal Trail project has been an ambitious and exciting journey for the Charleston-Westport Coastal Trail Trust (CWCTT), the not-for-profit organisation that is responsible for the construction of the 42km trail. With 23km of trail completed, the challenge ahead is to ensure this incredible asset is enhanced and maintain to a high standard, ensuring the trail’s sustainability now and into the future, for the enjoyment of generations to come. The CWCT trust is extremely excited to welcome NBS on board as a ‘Platinum ..read more

agsdi-ribbon Gold Sponsor Martins Mitre 10 Westport In the early 1920s, the Scanlon family purchased Westport’s original hardware store (which first opened in 1896) from the Martin family. Now, four generations later, the Scanlons continue to be strong local supporters of community initiatives for the West Coast community and their store has pledged $5,000 per year for the next three years in sponsorship to support the trail. This is an addition to an earlier donation of $10,000. Troy says the opportunity to sponsor the trail, for the next three years, fits well with the store’s environ ..read more

agsdi-ribbon Silver Sponsor Inforce The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is pleased to welcome Inforce on board as a sponsor. Inforce is an industrial floor slab and pavement specialist. They design and optimise floors for industrial buildings and external pavements like ports, container yards, haul roads and many other heavy industrial applications. Inforce employs more than a dozen staff, with 7 of those being based locally in Westport. Company Directors Finn and Tom McGaveston say their intention from day one was to set up a business that could help support regional communities and in particul ..read more

Martin Wilson is Managing Director of Abseil Access, a company he started 30 years ago. With offices in Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson and New Plymouth, the business specialises in bridge design and building, slope stabilisation and industrial maintenance. Abseil Access has completed the end-to-end process of design, engineering, local approvals, and construction of swing bridges and suspension bridges across some of the most stunning parts of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Having designed and built all the bridges on the nearby Old Ghost Road, they were asked to assist with the Kawa ..read more

The Trail Trust is thrilled to welcome back the Buller Heritage 10 Fun Run to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail for 2023! Joining the Buller Gorge Marathon Events once again, the family friendly event is run on the Pūwaha Section, making the most of our lush farmland and beautiful wetlands. Photo credit: Richard Rossiter – Section 1 (Pūwaha) Ngāhue Whare This year commemorates the first ever run through the gorge in 1983 and registration is now open for those wishing to join the special 40th anniversary celebrations. To celebrate, the 2023 event is themed in 80’s retro style ..read more

Once complete, there will be many aspects of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail which are considered to be exceptional and one of a kind. However possibly at the top of this list will be accessibility for all. To date the Trail has seen almost 72,500 visitors, both young and old, and all with varying needs. And so we were delighted to learn of our 91 year-old Incognito Ambassador’s daily exploration of the Pūwaha Section of the Trail. Photo: Our good friend of the Trail Walking is an effective way to reduce the risk for chronic conditions and improve overall health. Some of the b ..read more

In February this year we celebrated reaching the halfway mark of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, with 22km of continuous trail completed from Westport to Ōkari Lagoon. The opening was attended by representative project partners, including the trail construction team from Westreef. KCT Trust Chairperson, Richard Niederer commented the milestone was a truly remarkable achievement given the challenges the organisers have had to navigate to get to this point. These included two major flood events in the town, the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 including lockdowns, staff and material shortages, as well ..read more