Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway to open ahead of summer

Work to build a new track at the Leslie Road end of the Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway will begin soon following the South Waikato District Council awarding the tender for the project earlier this month to Keir Landscaping and Structures.

The Walkway in Putāruru is known for its pristine clear water and is popular with locals and tourists alike, seeing approximately 45 000 to 50 000 visitors per year.

The track at the Leslie Road end of the Walkway was closed to the public in June 2023 after a rockfall. Following the slip, visitors used the Whites Road (SH28) carpark entrance to gain access to the Walkway, however this caused an overflow of cars and significant safety issues on the adjacent, busy State Highway. This led to the entire Walkway being closed by Council in November 2023 for safety reasons.

“We know it was a huge step to close the Walkway nearly a year ago. We needed to do that to ensure people’s safety and find a better route as the cliff face was unstable and will slide again,” South Waikato District Council Chief Executive Susan Law said.

“We set ourselves a deadline to re-open after a year and after much work with our stakeholders and partners, we are proud to have reached this milestone which puts us on track to meet that deadline.

“Furthermore, I believe that this project is a testament to Council's dedication to our communities. The Blue Spring is a gem in our District, and its reopening before the busy tourist season will bring welcome economic benefits to our small towns,” Law concluded.

Te Waihou, with its natural taonga (treasure), the Blue Spring has a rich history deeply intertwined with Raukawa. The Waihou river served as a vital resource, offering sustenance and passage for both locals and historical figures like King Tāwhiao Pōtatau Te Wherowhero.

Today, the South Waikato community continues to cherish Te Waihou. “Raukawa and the hapū surrounding the awa considers the restoration, protection and sustainability of Te Waihou to be of paramount importance,” says Raukawa Tāhuhu Rangapū (Chief Executive) Maria Te Kanawa.

Te Puna (Blue Spring's) remarkable clarity and vibrant blue-green hue are due to its purity as particles are removed during its underground journey starting at the Mamaku Plateau, a process that takes many decades. This natural wonder supplies a substantial 70% of New Zealand's bottled water.

Throughout the closure period, Council worked closely with Raukawa Charitable Trust, surrounding landowners, the Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council. Council has also conducted a cultural impact assessment as part of the planning required before beginning these works.