It seems that it will take more than a few guys with shovels... the initial estimation is that it could take a 20 tonne digger two weeks to do the first slips! It is uncertain what permission might be needed too, such as a resource permit for the earthworks. Cross Maratoto off your plans for at leas...

An early assessment of the Maratoto trail has shown some major damage from slips at the 4km mark following the very heavy rain in the area. It is very unlikely that the area will reopen for 4x4 use for at least a year. It is not yet clear what damage lies beyond the first slips. A lot of money will ...

As of today April 27 the Maratoto trails are closed to 4x4 use for the winter. It is hoped those who travelled the route over the summer enjoyed the experience and remembered to drop their donation in the box. The annual maintenance is all funded from donations and funds contributed by local 4WD clu...

The Maratoto gate will be open over the Easter holidays despite the recent wet conditions. It is asked that care is exercised when using this trail to minimise further damage. Please Tread Lightly! The Auckland 4WD Club will be doing a maintenance trip to Maratoto on April 30 to trim vegetation and ...

The farmer's name is Ces and a great guy but any questions on Maratoto use should come to me or DOC at Thames. The phone message system is the main means of advising of the situation with the gate. It is unfortunately impossible to advise at this stage if Maratoto will be open over Easter. It will b...

The gate on the Maratoto trails in the Coromandel has been closed from today April 4 because of heavy rain and wear and tear on the trail. It may re-open if conditions improve. For information on the gate status check
027 5242 132 before travelling to Maratoto.

The title sounds a bit outside the realm of 4x4 but it actually is important that four wheeling takes more notice of what's happening in the South Island high country. The big stations are being carved up and land is being vested with DOC with no provision for vehicle access by the public. This is a...

I bounced the original subject of this post off Andy Cockroft who wrote the book in question and this is his reply...... his email is president@nzfwda.org.nz......... I presume they are referring to Sutherlands Track If that is the case, then access is only through ARAC, and to approved trip leaders...

http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/xt ... safety.htm

Not a common hazard in NZ fortunately but on worth keeping in mind.

The results for the 4x4 Mud Challenge 2006 with the first group being those in the up to 32" Tyre class, the second group up to 35" tyres and the third group the open class. SURNAME FIRST ADDRESS VEHICLE TIME BERENDT DARYL CAMBRIDGE SUZUKI 4.88 KEAT STUART PUKEKOHE PAJERO 5.06 CAMPBELL GAVIN RAMARAM...

The 4WD TV crew are still in NZ but will be back in Melbourne on Monday. The scheduling of the 4x4 Mud Challenge has not been sorted yet but we will advise when we know. 4WD TV also sell each program as a DVD through their website http://www.4wdtv.com.au so it will be available at some stage. It sho...

Each Department of Conservation conservancy area has a conservation Board made up of interested members of the public who oversee the local issues and future plans. It's not a democratic process but a system of appointments. If four wheeling interests could be represented on the various Boards then ...

Thanks for coming out and stirring the mud for us! As a first time event for the 4x4 Challenges NZ club we were pleased to get the level of entries and the interest in repeating the event next year. If you go to http://www.4wdnewz.com there are some good photos already posted. We will publish the wi...

Systems all go!......the event is tomorrow (Saturday) and starts at 10.30 am in Manukau City. We have two holes, one of which will be left "standard" all day for entries on the day. The other hole will be "developed" for the bigger toys. 4WD TV are filming and the weather is forecast to be fine so b...

We would like competitors there by 9.30 am please. Remember that it's only a left turn into the gateway.
Spectators coming with entrants are still expected to pay the $10 adult or $20 family fee.

Peter Vahry
4x4 Challenges NZ Inc

The gate will open for spectators at 9.30 am on Sat 18 and the first vehicle should be starting at 10.30 am. The entrance is off Wiri Station Rd and only accessable as a left turn. Bring something to sit on. There will be a food caravan or bring a picnic (no alcohol on site is a condition of our res...

Things are starting to go well for the 4x4 Mud Challenge with a good response to the request for advice from those intending to enter. There is still plenty of space for more entries and you just go to http://www.4x4challenges.org.nz to get the details. The two holes are dug and have had water added...

There was a soft area exposed by the digger that we anticipated would cut up along the flat to the river on the main trail. It really needs a culvert and side drain cut but for the moment might be helped by several loads of rock. There has not been an inspection by the management team for about 6 we...

I've just found this posting on Maratoto and would like to update it. The Maratoto trail (running off the Wires Rd) is managed by a gate that can be closed at any time if the weather conditions deteriorate. There is a phone message service on 09 5424132 that advises on the status of the gate. The tr...

You guys will need to be good to outrun the full 52bhp of the Series One! I reckon there's just enough tread left on the tyres to handle the power. The only question remaining is which gear to choose. Don't forget that we'd really like to get an email to mudchallenge@4x4challenges.org.nz before Frid...

There's been a bit of talk about the Mud Challenge and at least one entry from this forum but the event is looking a bit of a planning nightmare unless we can get some more clear interest. We would like some expressions of intention to compete at least, to mudchallenge@4x4challenges.org.nz by this F...

Thanks Steve, one of the problems with generating a list is the speed of change that is happening. An important thing for four wheelers to recognise is a subtle change within DOC over the past year where they have conceeded that maybe not all 4x4 activity is a problem and given the opportunity, we c...

Hi Rex, thanks for your entry. That business of the "one run"is a tricky one as it will depend on a number of factors such as the number of entries. If we get a big group of entries and promised more than one run we could have a major time problem! We are being cautious and not making such promises ...

The Whirinaki Forest is in several parts with large areas of private land sandwiched between. DOC have recently identified the northern block as an area for 4x4 use and for specific information contact Nick Doney of DOC (07) 3661080. Maps of the area involved are available on request from Nick. The ...

Bill, I've just joined this forum and note you are looking at insurance cover for 4x4 trips. The answer is simple...join the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association and get public liability and rural fire cover through their policy. The membership fee for 2007 will be $25 for the year and I defy yo...