Fiordland's South Westland Wilderness Area

Posted 7th July 2016 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ

 I recall writing many letters over the Years about the desire to go beyond the Hollyford Road into the wild untamed lands North of Milford Sound
I think I started around 1979 and ever since have been watching many people wanting to civilize the wilderness between Fiordland and South Westland
But as the World is constantly regretting the violation of wilderness for money yet there are many here that are ready to cash it in without hesitation.

The Thought that Wilderness is somehow of no value is perplexing, Especially as such places seem to define what it is to be a New Zealander. not economics.

That being said I could understand the desire to extend the Hollyford Road as far as the Highly Scenic shores of Lake Alabaster or maybe even Lake McKerrow
Though I would recommend it for be used for permitted or service vehicle and of course PUSHBIKES, sort of like the Wilmot Pass Road. That would give the Hollyford road a proper destination and take some pressure off Milford Sound.

If we in Southland really wants something nice for Southland  that is actually in reach, maybe we could aim for this easy goal and let South Westland sort it’s own tourism problems out.

Southland's Haast Higway problem of 2016

Posted 3rd of June 2016 to the Christchurch Press Newspaper Canterbury NZ

Dear Press gang:

The Haast - Holyford Highway rally went well in Te Anau... It really is the Donald Trump of Highways
It even has the same demographic support and charisma. “It will be BEAUTIFUL, so great, nobody make Highways like we do” “We will build it for the Chinese and make them Pay for it”.
“We will win SO many tourist we will get tired of winning... And tourists!” “We will make SO MUCH money we wont know where to invest it all” “Ngai Tahu and Queenstown will not use the Greenstone Valley Portion of the Road to steal Te Anau Tourists because WE will MAKE them behave” “Otago better not get any IDEAS because we can always put up a border fence” “We WILL make Southland Great again”. Also “We LOVE West Coasters”

Oh What a Parody.. to good to waste! too bad Regions in both regions affected are not swing voters but Solid National & Solid Labour and also Donald Trump lives in a different Country.

Haast Hollyford: The Trump Highway

Posted 24th May 2015 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ.

 We hear the Haast - Holyford Highway rally went well in Te Anau... It really is the Donald Trump of Highways
It even has the same demographic support and charisma. “It will be BEAUTIFUL, so great, nobody make Highways like we do” “We will build it for the Chinese and make them Pay for it”.
“We will win SO many tourist we will get tired of winning... And tourists!” “We will make SO much money we wont know where to invest it all” “Ngai Tahu and Queenstown will not use the Greenstone Valley Portion of the Road to steal Te Anau Tourists because WE will make them behave” “Otago better not get any IDEAS because we can always put up a border fence” “We WILL make Southland Great again”. “We LOVE West Coasters”

Oh What a Parody.. to good to waste!

Haville Highway - Haast to Milford

Posted 24th Jan 2015 by A Nicholson to the Fiordland Advocate Newspaper Te Anau

 I read in the Advocate that The Haville Milford to Haast Turnpike is all go on paper now if not In the physical world.
But alas time is against the good people of South Westland it seems, scientists say if we do not stop burning carbon
and ripping up the Planet like there is no tomorrow there might actually be NO TOMORROW. It takes a while but  our Governments will
Eventually Turn Green to ensure Civilization does not go down the proverbial toilet, Sorry this will Clash with the Highway on some Fundamental Grounds.
When the Green Revolution comes to pass, we will all have sacrifices EVEN the South Westland Council. Or should I say “Especially”

This material is not secret, it is out for all to read. Oh and If you are building a Highway along the Alpine Fault You should probably read up on that too.

My advice is If your going to build it, do it sooner rather than later.

 

Southland Times - Durham Havill Road

Posted 28th March 2014 to the Southland Times Invercargill

Reading Wynston Cooper on Durham Havill’s Optimistic Westland Road Proposal reminds me to ask
the burning question, where do “Paper Roads” come from?

I was told they originate from 19th Century Surveyors and are virtually written in stone!

I once thought they might be a solution to National Park Cycle ways
that can only exist on Paper Roads, but apparently Paper Roads can not be drawn up in this century!

Yet It’s an odd thing, New Roads still are built today, for reasons unforeseen to the Imperial Surveyors of Last 2 Centuries.
Strangely without appearing inked on paper or carved in stone...

Go Figure !

Fiordland Adocate - Queenstown Haast Link

Posted to the Fiordland Advocate 2 November 2013

Putting on my Devils ADVOCATE Hat I would like to throw in a 2 cent observation about the Hollyford Road and the Monorail...

From an Engineering Perspective surely they have got the whole thing back to front...  A high speed highway would be far better suited from Mavora to Te Anau Downs

As it is relatively easy terrain and far less likely to be flooded than the Hollyford Pyke area where as a Monorail in the Hollyford- Pyke would be way-better suited to that problematic landscape than a Roadway and Ironically cause less invasive Human activity to the World Heritage Wilderness.

And one could argue that if a Wakatipu Te Anau Downs Road was serviced by Car Ferry Instead of Passenger Ferry it is likely that a return trip Via the Scenic towns of Fiordland and Northern Southland would be a higher priority than a double back trip.

In any event If construction of the monorail project and Mavora Settlement (to Service the Round the Mountain Bike Trail) takes place the whole backcountry road system will need to the upgraded, Power and Bridges installed so there will be more traffic in that quarter and whole the dynamics of tourism will indeed shift.

That goes for the Hollyford-Pyke too.

Beware of unintended consequences, the Devil is in the details, especially if they BOTH go ahead!