Navy helps restore Kaimai track

Repairs to damaged Tuahu track near Katikati have been completed with support from the New Zealand Navy.

Department of Conservation and members of Sea Safety Training Squadron at Devonport Naval Base have reopened Tuahu track after two large slips prevented walking access.

Sea Safety Training Squadron at work in the Kaimai forest.

A dozen New Zealand Navy members have been credited for their help in restoring the track to an accessible destination for short bush walks.

DOC’s new visitor assets ranger in Tauranga Dave Grimmer says the amount of work done was colossal.

“The size and scale of the slips meant we wouldn’t normally have attempted this work with hand tools and manpower, however it seemed the perfect task for the sailors.”

“They reckoned they were pretty tough - so we put them to the test with some old fashioned hard labour,” says Dave.

David Murray from the Sea Safety Training Squadron says the team enjoyed the work.

“It was a complete change of what we are used to. The boy’s were a little weary afterwards but we felt good after helping out and seeing what a difference we had made to the track”.

The training squad were keen to get involved as a team building exercise as a chance to give back to the community.

“The Navy often helps out with community and volunteer projects when work allows and there is a little down time,” says David.