Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=92 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee</I></div> <div> <I>(ARAC)</I></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=200 BGCOLOR="#663300" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="03fc8c00dvmwfe.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="77" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 86 WIDTH="71"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="86" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="71" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> <B>ARAC's Mission is to:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f03399cc00.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Provide a single voice for all outdoor recreational users, irrespective of their chosen sport</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f03399cc00.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Petition for increased opportunities for recreational access to rural New Zealand</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f03399cc00.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Campaign for the full and free utilisation of all roads, walking tracks and bridle paths</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f03399cc00.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Oppose any measures whether local or national that will see a reduction in facilities for recreational use.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f03399cc00.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Support all other like-minded organisations in their endevours to acheive any of the above</div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=388 BGCOLOR="#FFCC80" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Welcome to the Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee web site.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mission"><U>Mission</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Council Event Calendar "><U>Regional Council Event Calendar </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The ARAC Divisions"><U>The ARAC Divisions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Publications"><U>Publications</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>STOP PRESS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="0bd6d6f0.gif" border=0 width="109" height="111" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">      </B></I><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#10th" TITLE="Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee"><U><I><B>ARAC Celebrates First Ten Years</B></I></U></A></FONT><I><B>      <IMG SRC="0bf6d6f0.gif" border=0 width="109" height="111" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0af1f0c0.gif" border=0 width="31" height="12" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><A HREF="http://arac.org.nz/phpbb2/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://arac.org.nz/phpbb2/index.php"><U><I><B> New Bulletin Board </B></I></U></A></FONT><IMG SRC="0ae1f0c0.gif" border=0 width="31" height="12" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Orange Hut Rebuild Nearing Completion - </B></I><A HREF="id22_orange_hut_is_now_orange_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Akatarawa Forest Division"><U><I><B>Full Details</B></I></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0cd8dea0.jpg" border=0 width="653" height="490" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> We like to think that our logo (below) shows what we are about:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="058259e0.jpg" border=0 width="805" height="158" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> If it's still not totally clear, then read on:</div> <bR> <div> Born of anger, ARAC was formed as a user group following a public meeting to counter Wellington Regional Council's decision to close the Akatarawa Forest to motorised recreation. Although only perceived as a temporary closure, nonetheless, public opinion was so enraged that over 200 people attended the public meeting on the 26th May 1997.</div> <bR> <div> Things have come a long way since then, with both Council and ARAC finding common ground on which to discuss the future of motorised recreation in the majestic Akatarawa block. So much so, that far from being adversaries, ARAC and WRC have formed a close working relationship with mutual respect for the desires and aspirations of each other.</div> <bR> <div> After many long and arduous meetings, including on site inspection by Council Members, Guidelines for the Management of Motorised Recreation within the forest were submitted to a full Council hearing during November 1997 and endorsed overwhelmingly. These Guidelines now form the basis for not only guaranteed year-round recreational access, but also include provision for ARAC members to be actively involved in the preservation and improvement of facilities within Akatarawa,</div> <bR> <div> One of the earliest decisions made by ARAC was to adhere to the TREAD LIGHTLY! ethics programme. For those who have not yet heard of TREAD LIGHTLY!, it's primary objective is to encourage the sustainable use of all the great outdoors. It does not exist to prevent you enjoying your chosen sport, rather to be aware that there are places where it will be appropriate and others where it is not. </div> <bR> <div> TREAD LIGHTLY! has a short acronym to help you remember it's basic principles: -</div> <bR> <div> <B>T</B>ravel only where permitted</div> <div> <B>R</B>espect the rights of others</div> <div> <B>E</B>ducate yourself</div> <div> <B>A</B>void creeks, wildlife, wetlands etc.</div> <div> <B>D</B>rive and travel responsibly</div> <bR> <div> So impressed were Regional Council with the TREAD LIGHTLY! philosophy, that WRC themselves became the first Council within New Zealand to affiliate to TREAD LIGHTLY! New Zealand. For anyone wanting further details, contact the Regional Council depot in Upper Hutt., or write to:- TREAD LIGHTLY!, P.O. Box 678 Wanganui</div> <bR> <div> Other joint ventures between ARAC and WRC include track maintenance, signage (especially exit signs), education, identification of helicopter landing areas and the larger one-off projects such as this - rebuilding the Orange Hut. The only provision ARAC have made is that is must be painted Orange! The Regional Council were happy to agree.</div> <bR> <div> ARAC is here to stay, as is Council's willingness to liaise with all interested user groups to preserve and protect the Akatarawa Forest for all recreational users, yet allow each and everyone to practice their own particular brand of outdoor recreation.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="0bd6d6f0.gif" border=0 width="109" height="111" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I><I><B> <A NAME="10th"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Tenth Anniversary</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>    </B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Male menopause is a lot more fun than female menopause. With female menopause you gain weight and get hot flashes. Male menopause — you get to date young girls and drive motorcycles."</I></div> <div> <I>  </I>John Wayne b 26 May 1907, d 11 June 1979</div> <bR> <div> OK, so it's 100 years since the birth of Marrion Robert Morrison (aka John Wayne), and it's also 10 years since that fateful night way back in 1997, when ARAC was born of the public meeting held at Belmont Hall.</div> <bR> <div> Not being ones to sit back on their laurels, those intrepid folk at ARAC chose to celebrate by way of hosting a Trip-Leader refresher course.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0c177d90.jpg" border=0 width="631" height="473" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c577d90.jpg" border=0 width="631" height="473" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c777d90.jpg" border=0 width="631" height="473" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c977d90.jpg" border=0 width="631" height="473" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> ARAC Executive members Grant Purdie, Murray Dean, Ken McAdam and Andy Cockroft gave of their time and knowledge to make sure all Akatarawa Trip leaders stay abreast of all the changes in management and policies over the years.</div> <bR> <div> A hot topic was a photo-quiz asking delegates to identify key locations within the Forest - even the Exec had trouble here.</div> <bR> <div> Paul Adams, President of CCVC 4WD Club proposed a vote of thanks to the four arganisers, but the real accolade must go to Grant Purdie for a huge personal commitment.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks guys.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>