Seasons Greetings from the NZFWDA and welcome to this December edition, in which hopefully the previous formatting issues have been resolved.
For those itching to drive the Maratoto trail on the Coromandel, the latest advice is that a digger will be working there from Dec 6 for about a week. The northern zone meeting approved the $3000+ funding needed to hire a digger and Porter Hire are supplying one at a good rate. The aim is to repair a number of mud holes and complete work that was interrupted 2 years ago by vandalism to the digger.
Once the work is completed and the weather is favourable, the gate will be opened. There is a phone number with a message indicating the status of the gate at Maratoto.. 027 5242132.
The same zone meeting underwrote NZFWDA funding of $3000 to enable the mechanical trimming of the 42 Traverse route. DOC are adding a further $1000. That work is likely to occur during February 2011.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a Happy New Year
Peter Vahry
PS. If there is news supplied before 31 Dec then there should be a January Trail Torque
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Auckland 4WD in Court
Auckland 4WD Club was at the Environment Court in Auckland on 29 November as a party opposing the proposed stopping of Higham Rd. This is an old legal road that is only partially formed and the adjacent landowner wants it closed to the public as they've built a 'lodge' on the beachfront that is used by various community and church groups.
Why it even got to this stage is a mystery as there were 161 written objections ans only 30 in support!
A background and the minutes of the Court 'pre-hearing' can be found here.
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DOC dismayed by damage.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) on the Coromandel are investigating a complaint from a landowner at the top end of Maratoto Rd, that a group of 4x4 owners cut fences on private land and trees on DOC lands, during a recent weekend.
The group were aware that the gate to the Maratoto trail was still closed when they traveled to the area. The landowner was most annoyed at the attitude of the group when they were approached.
DOC are considering prosecutions for the illegal activity.
Such vandalism is the height of stupidity in an area that already has limited four wheeling options. Certainly the Maratoto trail itself is late opening this year because of the wet Spring, along with a need to do blasting and then get a digger up the trail to do overdue maintenance, but that does not excuse vandalism.
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NZFWDA insurances
www.nzfwda.org.nz/membership/insurance/
A great benefit provided by the NZFWDA, is the insurance. It is a benefit that we need to protect too so it is vital that activities are truly those of our clubs. If you've a question, then just email the
NZFWDA secretary.
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Competition Officer report to Executive meeting
Neville Dunton provided a comprehensive report on the activities of the National Trials scene.
It can be found here
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DOC Destination Management Framework Proposals by Andy Cockroft
I felt kind of outnumbered at the recent
DOC conference about their Destination Management Framework Proposals, as the only recreational user there !!! There were
the usual EDS, Forest and Bird, etc. – plus a huge
collection of commercial operations – but no recreational users other than me
This is important stuff – I
cannot emphasise that enough. DOC have a $54m shortfall in funding this next 4
years, and are looking at how that funding can be spread thinly – and guess
what – it ain’t gonna happen. Instead, DOC will concentrate
spending on amenities that people use, and stop spending on those that people
don’t use
Staff numbers will not be cut
(other than perhaps by attrition)
The main outcome is that all CMS’s are to
be redone in the next 2 years – I did ask – but they are adamant that is a
timeframe that has to be met
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AAWDC-SA newsletter available
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Third Party 4x4 Insurance
The Auckland Four Wheel Drive Club Inc has for many years operated a unique insurance policy, especially adapted to our recreation.
The annual policy runs from Dec to Dec which means it is again being renewed now at a cost of $50. The club invites, as usual, other NZFWDA members to utilise this policy to protect themselves against claims.
It does not provide cover 'on main roads' and only covers activities that are organised by a 4WD club.
For more information click here.
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Taranaki Family 4WD Club Christmas Parades
by Kim Voss 
We decided to enter a float in the New Plymouth and Stratford Christmas Parades. We had a theme and suitably muddy vehicles.
Our theme was based on the bad boys of the Scrooge McDuck era, ie. the Beagle Boys. The truck was positioned on the trailer to look like it had "crashed" surrounded by bush foliage. Scrooge's Christmas tree decorated with money, and of course presents from the McDuck family. Making their get-a-way after robbing McDuck's Christmas goodies were the Beagle Boys. No Beagle Boy scene is complete without the Copper, who was forever after the Beagle Boys. So it was Patrick's Lada Friday night, and Kim's Zuk Saturday night, donning the blue light and Police signs to become Police cars.
Stratford parade was first and a group of us turned up at 4.30 pm, constructed the float and took our place in the line of floats. From here on in, the inept bungling Beagle Boys and Copper entertained the crowd, cap guns going off in all directions, Beagle Boys sneaking up on the Cop car and shooting themselves in the foot. One Beagle boy stole a couple of balloons, then delighting the crowd by dashing over to a small bystander and telling her "quick hide the balloons", before running away; there was much laughter and smiles.
Saturday evening was the turn of the New Plymouth Parade. We raided Kim's back section for new foliage for the float. After loading up the trailer, we headed into town to find a nice shady spot to put the float together. Our crew of inept bungling Beagle Boys and the Copper, again entertained the crowd and was appreciated by the older generation who knew who the Beagle Boys were.
At the New Plymouth parade we got 2nd place for our float, the prize being McDonalds and Subway vouchers and these we hope to pass on to Hospice Taranaki for families to use over Xmas
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NZFWDA 2011 Conference and AGM
The Executive Council meeting on 13 Nov made the decision to use the Waipuna Conference Centre, by Auckland's Panmure Basin, on Sat 28th & Sun 29th May 2011. They are working to have a different format than previous to encourage members to attend, with options of Keynote speakers, workshops, general speakers, trade displays and sponsors.
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The 4WD Handbook is released!
There is a dream, an intention. A desire. The primeval urge to explore,  to leave behind, to set out and enjoy Australia, away from the teeming hordes, off the beaten path.
For many people, a 4WD vehicle is the key to
fulfilling that dream, but it’s all too easy to let month after month
tick by, and never really try it. After all, isn’t it dangerous? Isn’t
the vehicle too nice to be risked offroad? Is my 4WD good enough? Is it
environmentally “correct”? Do we have time? Doesn’t next month have an
“r” in it?
You can do it. www.4wdhandbook.com |
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