Offroad-Express

Could anyone please advise of the status of the following Tracks and any other tracks of this type currently open for use, any recommendations appreciated.

-Maratoto Track aka Wires Track
-Stadia Track
-Thompsons Track
-Waitawheta Track / Taieri Rd

hyperlux wrote:Could anyone please advise of the status of the following Tracks and any other tracks of this type currently open for use, any recommendations appreciated.

-Maratoto Track aka Wires Track -closed
-Stadia Track -closed
-Thompsons Track -closed
-Waitawheta Track / Taieri Rd -closed

Dont look to good at the moment all said

All closed and even if they don't look closed they are closed.

Thanks Guys. Doesn't look good thats for sure. Any other tracks of this nature around with access ? I have Modded Hilux flatdeck, 35" Simex, Winch front and rear, full exo cage.

Have the slips been cleared from whanga rd? No a real hard one but a few good play areas

The Ngaroma 4WD area in the Pureora Forest is about the only place left.

Its pretty bloody awesome too, something for everyone, and a mint camp site with water and toilet

Slips are still on Whanga Rd, Closed at this stage. Ngaroma 4wd area will be the next trip. Cheers

Shit is stadia even closed? Gettn harder harder access wise

your best bet is to join a club. most clubs have access to private property that non club members cant get to.

your best bet is to join a club. most clubs have access to private property that non club members cant get to. Sadly one of the big issues we are currently facing on public tracks is Kauri die back which a major and wont be going away anytime soon. The best case is that there may be a possibility of opening some of these tracks on specific days, but you will have to arrive at the start of the track in a clean truck and have the entire truck disinfected inside and out.

Cheers. yep I've been a club and NZFWDA member for approx 8years, but just had the last few years away from 4wheeling due to other commitments. Will defiantly join club again before long.

What do you think is the best New Plymouth club, heard different stories about each.

mudpirate wrote:What do you think is the best New Plymouth club, heard different stories about each.

I know some great people in each club, but everyone is different. try them both and join which ever one suits you, or join both..

Looks may be some good news at last. If you want to use Maratoto ( Wires) track keep an eye on this site for an update, BUT you will need to make sure that you don't spread Kauri die back and that means your vehicle will need to be very clean before you enter the track. More details very soon.
Tony Burgess
Public relations NZFWDA.

Whangamata Track (also known as Wires track) at Maratoto will be open most days from Boxing day. There are conditions on using the track. 1) Vehicles MUST be clean and free of any dirt before they enter the track and your truck needs to be cleaned again before you enter another Kauri area. 2) As has been the case for many years there is a track fee to be paid. This fee goes to NZFWDA and is used to pay for maintenance on this track. the fees collected are about 30% of what NZFWDA spends on the track each year. Please pay the fees so that we can keep the track open. 3) there will be surveillance cameras operating to monitor the track. they will be used to a range of purposes, including making sure that every one behaves themselves, again so we can keep the track open. NZFWDA will be on site at various time to promote responsible use. Please use this track responsibly. We are very very lucky that we are able to open it at all ( Thanks to John Hicky and others) and don't want to lose it. by all mean use it, but please please please , don't abuse it. Tony Burgess Public Relations, NZFWDA.

Yay, good work

Who do we pay the fee too if we wish to use it? Im more than willing to pay for the use of a track in the north island if it keeps it maintained

as you turn off the maratoto road into the wires road there is a yellow box on the fence . money goes in there
for your info

cheques should be made out to New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association or NZFWDA. as soon as i can find the account number i will post it here for direct credit payments.
Tony Burgess
NZFWDA

cheques should be made out to New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association or NZFWDA. as soon as i can find the account number i will post it here for direct credit payments.
Tony Burgess
NZFWDA

Is it a set fee per truck or a nominal recommended donation
What jurisdiction does NZFWDA have over the track as I am sure there will be those that either don't know about the fee or don't want to pay the fee even if they know about it.
Presume it is self enforcement
Cheers
Tim

there are complains when its closed ,I know you can see the stuff the nzfwda does .
you happily pay $55 for a day in a pine forest but not $10 for a day in native bush

The short explanation, The track is on DoC land. All DoC land is closed to vehicles unless specifically authorized under whatever conditions DoC see fit. In the case of this track, for many years the arrangement has been that DoC agreed to allow vehicle access on condition that NZFWDA to maintain the track and have authorized us to collect a fee on its behalf. these fees are accounted for in NZFWDA accounts and represent about 30% of what we spend maintaining the track, the rest comes from NZFWDA membership fees. If we did not keep the track maintained, DoC would close the track to all vehicles. Simple as that.
The $10 fee is very small amount compared to any commercial 4x4 park area and represents very good value for money. I would be very disappointed if anyone felt they were not getting value for money.
Currently we are in the process of negotiating a longer term arrangement with Doc in line with its latest policy so that we are assured of getting a long term benefit from the money we spend, but it is a long, complex (and expensive) process.
Tony Burgess
Public relations NZFWDA

you happily pay $55 for a day in a pine forest but not $10 for a day in native bush

Are you talking about me, or everyone who reads this thread, don't think I suggested I would not pay

just trying to find out what the story is, is it $10, if it is that is great because now anybody who reads this thread will know, and totally agree it is a small price to pay for maintaining access.

Hope the comment above was just a misunderstanding

Cheers
Tim

Thanks Tony, sent my post at the same time as yours

Good to know what the story is, to be able to inform others.

Cheers
Tim

Pretty sure Coxsy was not aiming his comments at anyone in Particular. He has probably heard me talking about a group of people who use the track, don't pay anything at all, and then complain like hell when the track is closed. Sadly just because it is on public land, dose not make it free for all. DoC have no money to maintain recreational 4x4 tracks. Sadly, now days It has to be user pays. If we didn't spend money to maintain the track it would have been be completely impassable many years ago. Lots and lots of people have put a lot of effort and money into keeping it open for at least 40 years. long may it continue
Tony

Track fees can be paid by direct credit to NZFWDA Northern Zone account. 02 0400 0217946 00. Please include MARATOTO in the reference.

Also here is a link that explains about the reason for making sure vehicles are clean. http://www.kauridieback.co.nz/kauri-dieback . Suitable disinfectants can be purchased from larger hardware stores, farm supply companies and councils in Kauri Die back areas. Trigene is one that is known to be effective.