Your feedback helps us continue improving the trail. We welcome all your comments, questions and offers of support. 

Donate to help us achieve our vision

With the public's support we're building one of Aotearoa's most memorable one-day trails here in the Eastern Coromandel.

Join us by following our progress on Facebook, becoming a regular donor to the trail or emailing us at [email protected] for more information.             

Trail weeding

We're always on the look out for volunteers to adopt a section of the trail to maintain.  To register your interest, please email [email protected].  To see the current weeding list please click here.

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​Who We Are

A passionate and diverse group of volunteers with the shared goal of building one of New Zealand's best one-day trails.

 TAIRUA RIVER TRAIL COMMITTEE

Overseeing the construction and maintenance of the trail using environmentally-sustainable practices and innovative trail management solutions that highlight the best in our community.

GARY PRINCE (CHAIR)
Gary is a semi-retired architectural designer who has been part of the construction industry all his working life. He worked on a variety of residential, commercial and industrial projects for a number of companies, including as a project manager, before starting his own design business in 1990. He and his wife Jenny bought a section in Pauanui in 2000 and moved to Pauanui to live in 2017. Gary is a member of several local groups and clubs, including the Pauanui
Menzshed Committee. His goals are to see the successful completion of the trail to Tairua and to improve his golf.

ANDY BOLTON
Andy was born and educated in England, where he obtained his degree in Engineering and Management, He's been associated with Pauanui since 1978 when he arrived to work on the Maui Gas project in Taranaki, due to his relationship with now-wife Sue who had a family bach in Pauanui. Andy bought his first house in Pauanui in 1991 and became involved with the Trail in 2015 as Project Manager. He loves “getting things done” and uses his project management and engineering skills to ensure the safe and efficient execution of all trail work.

PETER MILLEN
Peter is a retired boat builder from Auckland.  He and his wife Linda bought a section in Pauanui in the early 2000s, and subsequently built a holiday home.  Soon after moving here permanently in 2015,  Peter met Gary Fowler soon after on the trail and started helping with trail progress and maintenance. Peter Linda check pest traps along the trail every week and record the kill numbers, as well as maintaining a trail user counter. He is looking forward to fulfilling the dream of extending the trail to Tairua.

JOHN MCKENZIE
John has had a property in Pauanui since 2000 and became involved in trail building when he moved here permanently in 2014. He has a history of earthmoving and dairy farming and enjoys working
with like-minded people to enhance, maintain and extend the trail. He has also been involved in the pest control and is pleased to be seeing an increase in bird life along the river.

ROBERT VAN KAMPEN
Robert and his wife Jan have been holidaying in Pauanui since the early 1970s and bought their current property in 1985.  Robert was a self-employed licenced builder who spent his entire career in the house and light commercial construction industry in Hamilton and the surrounding Waikato.  When Robert and Jan retired to live permanently in Pauanui they were both keen to join in with the local community and the trail seemed the perfect place to start.  Robert enjoys working outdoors and the camaraderie of the other workers.

TERRY KINGHAM
Terry has holidayed in Tairua since the 1970s and moved here permanently in 2017.  With a background in finance, Terry is a chartered accountant and presently holds the position of Treasurer
for the Trust. He is involved in fundraising for the trail and has assisted in developing statistics around the trail and maintenance of the website. A keen cyclist and runner, he enjoys sharing the trail with lots of locals and tourists enjoying our little piece of paradise.
HIKUAI DISTRICT TRUST

A charitable trust founded in 2007 to help fundraise for local community projects, our key focus is currently the Tairua River Trail.

DERRICK ADAMS (CHAIR)
Derrick is a semi-retired civil engineer with a career in infrastructure development. He is currently the Chairman of a large construction company. While relatively new to the Coromandel Region,
Derrick has a love of the outdoors and is motivated by the prospect of completing the trail linking the Tairua and Pauanui communities. He's excited by the opportunity to engage with the wide range of stakeholders, work with motivated volunteers, and to develop a trail which enhances the environment and showcases the local history.

JEANETTE WATERS
Jeanette and husband Peter bought their first section in Pauanui in 1974, and joined the Trust to give back to a community that has given their family such great holidays and memories. Jeanette is a
fundraising powerhouse and is thrilled every time some kind person gives money to the trail and makes her job a bit easier.

KIM COPPERSMITH
Kim and husband Bryan have supported the Trust from day one, having lived in Hikuai since 1998, and her bookkeeping expertise and keen eye for detail have kept the Trust running smoothly. An outdoors exercise nut, Kim is pleased with the many benefits the trail has already delivered and looks forward to it fully connecting two communities, enabling locals and visitors alike to enjoy our beautiful Coromandel surroundings.

ROB FISHER
Rob is a retired lawyer. He specialized in the consenting of large infrastructure projects. He was also General Counsel at the Auckland Transition Agency and at Watercare. Rob also had a long career in
rugby administration at Club, Provincial, National and International levels. Rob and wife Helen bought a property in Pauanui in 2018 and are loving their time here. Rob joined the Trust in 2022 and is looking forward to giving back to the very welcoming communities of Tairua and Pauanui.

MAX BANIA
Max has been a regular visitor to the Coromandel since his childhood and joined the Trust in 2022. With a background in journalism, public relations and sponsorship, he enjoys championing the trail and its
many benefits to anyone who will listen, including those he encounters during his long runs along it.

​DONNA BROOKE
Tairua has been Donna’s special place since she was a little girl, camping at the Pepe Motor Camp, in what would become the annual family holiday.  A long time ago!  It wasn’t until 2010 that Donna and her husband Chris moved to Tairua as permanent residents and have been supportive advocates for the community ever since. Donna and Chris love hosting international and domestic visitors to the Coromandel at their B&B, Sunlover Retreat.  Every morning you will see Donna out walking the estuary or climbing her maunga, Mt Paku before her daily dip in the ocean.  To connect our two communities via such a beautiful and functional trail on the Tairua River is a long held dream.  It is so exciting to be a part of this project!

GARY FOWLER (ADVISOR)
Gary and wife Anne set up the Hikuai District Trust to help fundraise for local community projects, including the trail. His tireless dedication, passion, vision and local knowledge have been vital to the trail’s progress. Gary retired as Chairman of the Trust in 2022 but maintains an important advisory role.