Hiwinui Regional Park moving closer to public opening

Wairarapa’s first regional park is a step closer, with Greater Wellington councillors supporting work to enable public access to Hiwinui Forest Park next year.

At a council workshop last month, councillors supported completing the physical works to create a carpark entrance area and then open the gates for access, while allowing more time for longer-term recreation and management planning.

Greater Wellington Wairarapa councillor John Hart said opening Hiwinui would fulfil a long-held community ambition and continue work championed by his predecessor, the late Adrienne Staples.

“Adrienne worked for years to get Hiwinui to this point, and she was very clear that she wanted to see the investment protected and the forest opened for people to enjoy,” Cr Hart said.

“It will be pretty special to finally open those gates and see that vision become something real.”

Hiwinui sits alongside Aorangi Forest Park and offers opportunities not only for recreation within the forest itself, but potentially as another gateway into the much larger conservation area beyond it.

“For me, that connection is one of the really exciting things about Hiwinui,” Cr Hart said.

“We’re gaining a regional park close to Martinborough where people can walk, ride a bike or a horse and enjoy some spectacular views, but it also sits alongside this much bigger landscape in Aorangi Forest Park. There is a lot of potential here.”

Greater Wellington councillor Quentin Duthie said while funding for development of Hiwinui was provided through the 2024 Long Term Plan, work was recently paused for councillors to consider how the project should proceed within current financial and staff constraints.

“Money is tight and we are having to make tough choices. However, the direction from councillors was clear: keep moving with the practical work needed to open Hiwinui to the public, while taking more time for longer-term planning,” Cr Duthie said.

 ”We can open the gates for public enjoyment, learn how people use and value the forest, and begin collaborating with the community on how to enhance Hiwinui.”

Work on the car park will resume in the next few weeks. While the aim is to complete physical works planned over summer, depending on weather conditions and fire risk.

All going well, Greater Wellington expects Hiwinui to be ready for public access in Autumn.

Cr Hart said opening the forest would be the beginning rather than the end of the conversation about its future.

“There are people and organisations in South Wairarapa who have been thinking about Hiwinui and the neighbouring Aorangi Forest Park for years. Once people can actually get onto the land and experience it, we can start learning what works and what opportunities the community sees there.”

Walking, mountain biking, e-biking and horse riding are expected to be welcomed when the forest opens.

Fire safety will be particularly important at Hiwinui. Restrictions will apply to activities that could create a fire risk, and access may need to close temporarily during periods of extreme fire danger.

More detailed information about access, permitted activities and the opening date will be provided as work progresses.