Press Release:
The Banks Peninsula Track marks quarter century
The Banks Peninsula Track marks a quarter century with a generous donation to the Banks Peninsula
Conservation Trust.
Twenty five years ago a group of landowners on the Banks Peninsula "Wildside" came together to
create the Banks Peninsula Track company. They offer two and four days walks across their private
land, the first private walking track in New Zealand, offering access to otherwise non-accessible
views, accommodation, orientation and pack cartage options.
Part of the wonder of the Banks Peninsula Track is the wildlife walkers have the opportunity to see
including the white-flippered penguin /korora, and the larger yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, both
treasured wildlife of the area. The rare hoiho is here at its northern most breeding limit, and the
white-flippered race of blue penguin is restricted as a breeding bird to Banks Peninsula and Motunau
Island.
The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust work with landowners on the Peninsula to protect flora and
fauna. They covenant land, educate and provide pest control assistance. This work has enhanced
the work carried out by many individuals to create greater benefit for the flora and fauna on the
Peninsula.
Contacts:
Banks Peninsula Track - Sonia Armstrong
Director
[email protected]
03 -304 8553
http://www.bankstrack.co.nz
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust - Marie Haley
Wildside Coordinator
[email protected]
Hours: Tue - Thurs 9 am - 5 pm
http://www.bpct.org.nz
Background information:
Banks Peninsula Track marks quarter century
December 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the Banks Peninsula Track, the first of New
Zealand's "private" tracks - that is, multiday walks across privately owned land rather than across
public land managed by the Department of Conservation. The seven families that own and operate
the Banks Peninsula Track joined forces in the late 1980s, looking for ways to diversify their income
base after some difficult years of drought and falling prices for agricultural products. At the same
time the Maurice White Native Forest Trust was establishing Hinewai Reserve as a major
conservation imitative east of Akaroa.
During that first summer the physical track was formed across varied and scenic terrain, bridges and
stiles were constructed, signs erected, huts built. All the background organised blossomed into a
successful low key venture in green tourism. 296 people walked the track in the first (short) season
of 1989-90. In ensuing years numbers grew to between 1800 and 2600 walkers a season.
The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 halved numbers, not because of damage to the track or
infrastructure, which was slight, but because potential customers formed a mistaken perception of
post-quake risk. Numbers have rebuilt over the last two seasons, so the BP Track continues to be an
important player in the economic life of Akaroa district.
As one way of marking the quarter century, the Track company is making a substantial donation to
the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for continued predator and possum control on the
Peninsula's "Wildside" which the track traverses, in particular to enhance protection of the whiteflippered penguin / korora, and the larger yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, both treasured wildlife of the
area. The rare hoiho is here at its northern most breeding limit, and the white-flippered race of blue
penguin is restricted as a breeding bird to Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island.
The Banks Peninsula Track Season runs from the beginning of October to the end of April each year,
with four day and two day walking options. A maximum of sixteen walkers set out each day. Booking
is essential; bunks and all other facilities are assured; pack cartage is available. Some shorter walks,
of one and two days, are now being offered by the track company.
The website is www.bankstrack.co.nz
For further information and images contact Sonia Armstrong.