Reinstatement of the track is only as complicated as they want to make it. Headlined by the old bogey of the bureaucratic red tape.

In response to Cr Grainger's comments [reported in Stuff on August 28], nowhere in my presentation to the council meeting [August 27] did I use the term ‘cheap'. I did say inexpensive and professionally built, and very safe. As described by Mike O'Neill's presentation, this proposal is to fix what is already existing, not to create anything new.

The existing track has already been benched out of the bank, and combined with a recent slip, the proposed small excavation will be several metres below the historic original ground level.

It is most unlikely that any sites or items of cultural significance would be found so far below the original surface. This fact should surely negate the claim by Ben Pick from Heritage NZ, about a three-month process to gain permission. For goodness sake, we are only talking about a very small extension to an already existing pathway.

On behalf of the wider community, I believe that most everyone understands and totally respects the culture and spiritual significance of Mauao to the Maori people. We respect and love your Maori culture – the whole community loves Mauao – it is an iconic and beautiful feature of our landscape, and everyone should be able to share and enjoy this wonderful place.

On behalf of our wider community and our great many visitors, I appeal to the iwi owners and trustees to open your hearts and minds, and work with a spirit of goodwill, co-operation and inclusion to help this base track pathway, to be open for everyone as soon as possible.

Trevor Clist