It would appear to me that Messrs Mason, Crosby and Burgess want a handout without getting their hands dirty and sorting out the land issues earlier. Key is a no nonsense bloke who looks at partnerships and rewards those (as evident at National cycleway opening at Ohakune on the 2nd instant, which I attended) who are genuine in the effort. No wonder the BOP region lost out.
Perhaps these gentlemen should visit Ohakune and see what this small community has done in advance over the last 6 years in upgrading the historical 100 year old Old Coach Road so that could be part of the National Cycle route. Having been involved deeply in mountainbiking in the Central North Island and having resided in Tauranga for the last 33 years I can happily say that the scenery 'down south” and elsewhere in the country eats that of a BOP coastal route. Good on Western BOP for continuing with its tracks, you may well be rewarded in the future.
David Holland, Papamoa.