SWDC acknowledges Hinekura hardships

Acting mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter cuts the “road open” ribbon to end two years of Hinekura anguish. (Left) Council CEO Janice Smith; (Right) Councillor Colin Olds.

A red ribbon cutting on April 18 “officially acknowledge(d) the end of the tough journey for Hinekura residents since mid-2022,” South Wairarapa council said in a statement.

SWDC Acting Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter cut the ribbon accompanied by councillors Aidan Ellims, Kaye McAulay, Pip Maynard, Colin Olds and chief executive Janice Smith.

“The photo that sticks in my mind is mothers and their children climbing over the slip, holding onto the fence line to get to the school bus, which was on the Martinborough side of the slip,” Aidan Ellims told the assembly.

“This resulted in houses being rented in town so that children could attend school during the week and return home to the farm each weekend to be a family.”

“The road closure impacted you getting to Martinborough for sports, social events and even the basics like getting mail, groceries, vet and farm supplies. 

“It impacted farming businesses, getting trucks in to sell and shift stock and impacted your businesses in Hinekura,” he said.

In its statement, SWDC acknowledged “the challenges which all Hinekura residents faced, with particular mention of the support of John and Liz Hancock and family, Don McCreary and Anna Johnston and Clayton and Karen Hartnell for assistance with rebuilding a temporary road, working with contractors and support over the past 18 months.”

The council expressed “enormous gratitude” to Sarah and John Booth and Sarah Donaldson from the East Coast Rural Support Trust. 

“Special mention was made of Brownell Earthmoving & Plant Hire for completing the road rebuild earlier than the projected timeframe and within budget. SWDC noted it had worked on the rebuild with funding partner, Waka Kotahi, which provided geotechnical advice and funded 71% of the cost.” 

While Hinekura Road reopened on 27 March, “repairs are still being worked on but it is now traversable by all vehicles,” the council noted.

https://swdc.govt.nz/news/hinekura-road-red-ribbon-cutting-to-mark-reopening/