Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust – A Successful Track Record
Excuse the pun, but it’s testament to the successful track record of the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust that many of the area’s walking tracks and an iconic bike trail are entrusted to their oversight.
When the Little River Rail Trail Trust wound up in 2023, guardianship of the popular 65 km bike ride from the CBD to Little River (more familiar starting points are Hornby and Motukarara) devolved to the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust. The trust, also known as Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū, was set up in 2010 by the Christchurch City Council.
“We’ve got a lot of ideas and vision for what we would like to happen on the trail,” says Trust Manager/Manahautū Shelley Washington.
“We are working with several partner organisations who actually own different sections of the trail… to help formulate plans going forward,” she says.
Since starting her role in January last year, Shelley has been getting to grips with the large portfolio of projects that the trust is involved with or responsible for. On top of existing responsibilities – such as the maintenance of Rod Donald Hut (the family friendly trampers hut near Port Levy saddle), pest management and increasing biodiversity – the trust is embarking on a significant new project.
The new project is the establishment of a walkway linking Little River with Te Ara Pātaka (the summit walkway). The proposed track will follow a ridgeline and requires access agreements with no less than eight landowners. To date, Shelley’s negotiations (with the help of a former trustee) haven’t encountered any sharp edges.
“It’s been going so well,” she says about the process. “‘It’s got a bit of a head of steam…. We’re just keeping going, because once you start negotiating access with landowners, you can’t just then take a week’s holiday and say thank you very much we’ll come back in two years’ time!”
A formal announcement about the new track is expected in coming months.
Shelley’s role has been a steep learning curve, says the Christchurch resident and former Environment Canterbury employee. At the regional council, she facilitated the Christchurch West Melton Zone Committee and a Banks Peninsula Zone Committee, multi-council groups responsible for freshwater management programmes.
Shelley’s affiliation with Banks Peninsula links back to her first job with the NZ Landcare Trust, after graduating from Lincoln University. She helped establish the now well-respected Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, which primarily works with land owners.
Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust has a governance board of nine members, including a sitting city councillor. They report back annually to the city council and are primarily funded by them.
The trust’s ultimate goal is to foster appreciation and stewardship of Banks Peninsula for future generations. Whether you’re on foot or bike wheels, there are plentiful track and trail options that rely on the involvement of the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust. As you enjoy one of them, give a nod to the trust named after the visionary former member of parliament and Green Party co-leader.
(January 2025)
Photos L to R: Trust Manager Shelley Washington (photo by Megan Blakie); enjoying Banks Peninsula (photos courtesy of the trust).
