23 May 2011

$1.5m boost for walkway

6:40 pm on 23 May 2011

The Government has allocated $1.5 million to complete a walking track the length of the country.

The Aroroa Trail Long Pathway will be finished by the end of this year and extend 3000km from the tip of Cape Reinga to Bluff.

Trust chief executive Geoff Chapple says he is thrilled with the Government's contribution towards the trail in the Budget, which should bring in $11.2 million in tourism spending each year.

Mr Chapple says the trail has been a cooperative effort with the Department of Conservation, local councils, property owners and volunteers.

Professional trampers will have to walk for three months to complete the trail in one go, he says.