Friday 19th
January 2001
Stage
Outline
Graeme Wilton (Willie) overseeing Team member Ian Carter and Brian Bootten
over the narrow bridge between Akitio Station and Makuri.
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The fifth day of our trip takes us away from the coast and heads inland crossing a variety of private farms. We start at the Akitio Community Centre and finish in Pahiatua, where the local football club has kindly made their clubrooms and grounds available to us – a night under canvas for all participants.
The settlement of Pahiatua was established in 1881 as a roading camp within the tract of totara forest known as Forty Mile Bush, which extended from Mount Bruce into the southern Hawkes Bay. A noticeable feature of Pahiatua is it’s extra wide main street – this was designed to allow the railway line to pass along its centre, but when the railway line was put through it was laid elsewhere.
Trip Report 1 - Friday 19 January 2001
Ray and Judy Watt Team F
The morning at Akitio dawned with a magnificent sunrise but was quickly clouded over. No problem because Team F was to lead today’s run and that is enough sunshine for most people.
Heading inland going onto private property through farm tracks onto forestry. Some tight areas through pine trees – some pruning had to be done. Once out of forestry we came to some lovely mountain scenes. Detoured into bush to see traction engine. Everyone got over the narrow bridge okay – second from narrow dusty road farm. Brief respite of tar seal. A few twists around a hill. Car sick. Lunch at Domain. Arrived Pahiatua mid afternoon – 123 km.
Trip Report 2 - Friday 19 January 2001
Hans Van Loo, Tony Hefford, Lee Hefford, Arron Hefford
Team F
As it was an 8:30 am start and we were first team to depart some of us were up at 6:00 am just in time to see the east sun rising over the sea. After spending an enjoyable night at a fabulous modern Community Centre at Akitio, situated at a lovely beach setting. We headed off just above the coastline along a farm. The day is calm and we enjoyed nice views from the steep rolling countryside. A spectacular view of Cape Turnagain could be seen from the track.
As the trip progressed inland we entered a pine plantation whereupon the track was encumbered by overhanging pine trees. The track narrowed down to a little wider than a metre in places. An axe was required in one part to prevent excess vehicle panel damage. Morning stop included a relic from the past, and old steam boiler used from the wood milling era.
On route to Pahiatua a number of narrow bridges around 7ft wide were traversed. On the way to Makuri, on top of the Pukoti range, we passed a Lime Quarry. Stopped at Makuri Domain for lunch, a very nice and relaxing spot.
From Makuri to Pahiatua we noticed that the countryside was green compared to the drying farmlands we had been seeing for the last few days closer to the coast.
As we drove nearer to Pahiatua, into view came the Tararua Windfarm. Drove past the DB Breweries – home of Tui beer made with the fresh water from the Mangatainoka River. At the entrance to Pahiatua we were greeted by the yellow Harvard aircraft mounted on poles. Then on to our camp ground at the local Rugby Club.
SPECIAL MESSAGE 1
H Team Report
Signed by The Gadget
Day One
Not much to say. The view was great but you had to look at Wellington. H1 had trouble on two hills. Fault: lack of horsepower to turn the Super Swampers.
Day Two
Very nice day – good view from the hill tops and cliff edge. Lunchtime was a bit rough parked up by the old shipwreck being blasted by sand and water. The track was very interesting to drive as the Tread-lightly team found out - having to be towed from a mud hole by a Toyota and a Nissan.
Day Three
Best part of the day was trying to leave our camp site. The track was harder than the LWB Landcruiser thought. Nissan to the recovery of H2 (Toyota Landcruiser). H2 recovered. H4 Landcruiser tows Landcruiser.
Day Four
Mainly farm land and gravel roads that had just been graded – awesome fun.
P.S.The meals that were supplied are Awesome.
SPECIAL MESSAGE 2
How wonderful people can be! When our starter motor packed up this afternoon first Roger Seymour just waded in with tools and experience to help remove the thing, then Bryan Gilchrist arrived and showed his auto-electrical expertise by diagnosing and rectifying a seized driver mechanism that a previous “expert” had omitted to pack with grease. Andrew Clunie also put in some much appreciated effort to help Bryan. Likewise Champion Autos of Pahiatua, for providing workshop and tools. Many thanks fellas, for the initiative and the generous contribution of time, effort and expertise. Grant, Jill and family.
The map below shows the route followed the Challenge vehicles today.
Map portions used with permission of Wises
The North Island Four Wheel Drive Challenge has been put together by a small dedicated group of 4WD enthusiasts (all experienced club members) on a non-profit cost-recovery basis.
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