Whanganui Journey reopens

Date:  24 October 2013

The Whanganui River Journey is now open for the long weekend after facilities in the Whanganui District and National Park were compromised by the recent weather event and subsequent floods on October 15 and 16.

At one spot near the centre of the Whanganui National Park 168 mm of rain was recorded over a 24 hour period.

In the aftermath, DOC staff were able to get out and assess damage to facilities in the park and the associated tracks including the Mangapurua, Kaiwhakauka and Matemateaonga.

It became clear that the Whanganui Journey and both the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka tracks had sustained significant damage forcing temporary closure.

The flood of the Whanganui River had destroyed access tracks to 7 of the 11 camp sites, flooded the camp site toilets at Tieke and caused significant erosion at many of the campsites, reducing the capacity at some of these sites.

Other damage included missing and damaged signs and damage to boat ramps. The Mangapurua track has three major slips on the hill below the trig and a missing bridge at Bettjemens as well as a number of smaller slips on the bluff sections. The Kaiwhakauka track has sustained minimal damage comparatively with only a few minor slips noted. Both the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks are closed until further notice.

DOC staff from Whanganui have been working since Wednesday last week planning and responding to the operational matters of bringing the journey up to standard and open for Labour Weekend.

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