Guest Speaker: Sue Page, Rotary Pathways Hawkes Bay
David H welcomed Sue to our Club. She has had a long affiliation with Matamata which was cemented when she was Leonie's District Conference co-ordinatator, making the job so much easier for this committee. Sue is from the Rotary Club of Napier and is an Events co-ordinator and actively involved in the Art Deco Society.
Pathway map (L: Sue Page) opening of Maggies' Way (FB image)
The path and cycleways came about from the then-Mayor's vision of wanting to create a seaside pathway in Napier, so in 2002 the Rotary Pathways Trust was formed. This involved getting six Rotary Clubs to collaborate and focus on a single project, the first time this had happened. Sue later replied to David H's question of what was most challenging part? This was definitely it as they all wanted to know... why us? What's in it for us? Once that was resolved, the planning and fundraising could begin and in 2003 the first piece was opened.
The clubs worked closely in the planning with regional Councils, Transit NZ, Port of Napier and NZTA. Rotary's involvement was vital in raising the required funds; the initial stage cost $160,000 and for every dollar they raised the Council matched it with two. Over the next 20 years Rotary has raised over $6m.... you can do the math! The Council works out the cost, Rotary fundraises and then donates the amount to Council to cover. There have also been shelters erected along the way and each club has individually paid for one closest to them.
Majority of the pathway is jointly shared by pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists, however one section Te Ara o Matareta aka Maggies' Way was set up as a walking path only. A bequest from the late Basil McCoward, in honour of his wife Margaret (an avid walker), was the kickstart to this piece and was financially supported by Napier City Council.
The pathways are nearly completed so the Trust will be finally wound up. Incredibly the majority of the Trustees are the original ones who first started this, Sue jokingly said only way to leave was by dying... sadly up till now this is what has happened. There is still $600,000 left so this will cover the final stage and ongoing maintenance which the Council will oversee.
Maz then had the pleasure in thanking Sue for her presentation, starting out by acknowledging her role in Leonie's conference; anything that made the committee/conference run smoother made Chair David H happier! It was amazing to hear what was involved in this project eg the time and money, and just how much it had put Rotary on the map in the Hawke's Bay. We look forward to catching up with her at District Conference in Napier next year, and there will now be a few cycles brought along too. In response to Krishna's query Sue advised there are several cycle hire places in town.
