Totaranui Road Open

Over 70 people enjoyed a glorious winter’s day to celebrate the reopening of the Totaranui Road late last month.

The Totaranui Road is a “special purpose” road providing a vital route for holidaymakers to the iconic Totaranui camping ground managed by the Department of Conservation (DoC). Over 30,000 campers use the campsite every year.

The road was severely damaged during the December 2011 storm event and its closure had a flow on effect to the Golden Bay economy.

DoC Ranger Hugh Mytton and his wife Pam were ecstatic that their lifeline to the outside world was open again. Not only is the road open but in Hugh’s words “it’s in the best condition it’s ever been”. “We are so grateful to Skin Bruning and his team from Fulton Hogan, to the New Zealand Transport Agency who provided the all important funding and the Council who provided a lot of the ground work in getting the job underway” he said.

Representatives from Manawhenua ki Mohua, the Mayor, Councillors and the local community board joined DoC staff, Fulton Hogan, NZTA representatives and local landowners to celebrate the reopening.