Mayor Bob Harvey says a just announced West Coast trail is the perfect tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary.
The Hillary Trail will span about 100kms of coast and bush, starting at Arataki and going as far as South Kaipara. It will be a testament to Sir Ed's legacy in New Zealand and the world, Mayor Harvey said.
“Sir Ed's legacy will live on in this magnificent trail.”
A great icon deserves a great walk. This is one to match the world renowned Heaphy and Milford tracks of the South Island.
“The West Coast was Sir Ed's second home. Anawhata was his favourite beach; a place he called the most beautiful on the planet. He would have loved walking the black sand beaches and native bush of the Hillary Trail.”
The Hillary Trail has been 27 years in the making. Sir Ed's father-in-law Jim Rose first proposed a public walking track from Huia to Muriwai in 1982.
His notes on the history of Anawhata said: “My family look forward to the time when we will be able to walk from Huia to Muriwai on public walking tracks like the old time Maori could do.”
Mayor Harvey revived the proposal this year, developing plans for a three day coastal walk. He named it “The Hillary Trail' in memory of Sir Ed.
His concept received support from the Hillary family, local iwi Te Kawerau a Maki and Prime Minister John Key. Auckland Regional Council chair Mike Lee supported the concept and extended the trail to start at Arataki.
It will be officially opened on the second anniversary of Sir Edmund's death, January 11, 2010.
“It's great to have the Auckland Regional Council on board as they monitor these wonderful tracks,” says Mayor Harvey. “The views are stunning and the beach and headlands are rich in history. This is a tribute to Sir Ed's unique combination of pioneering adventure and self sacrifice.”
