The Kopu-Hikuai Road
Fifty Years Old
2017 has been an eventful year in and around Thames; with
the Thames Coast road closed on multiple occasions by rock falls. The nearby
Kopu-Hikuai Road (State Highway 25A) has gone relatively untouched until a
major slip on Sunday 23 July 2017.
(Stuff article and photo source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/95039343/state-highway-25a-closed-for-days )
BACKGROUND
For decades the residents of Thames and the eastern
Coromandel Peninsula Coast advocated and petitioned for a quicker route across
the ranges. One of the most popular routes was up the Kauaeranga Valley. There
were, and still are tracks all over the Coromandel Ranges that have provided
access for pre and post goldfield era settlers; catering for foot and horse
traffic. Bushmen and prospectors walked the tracks for decades following
settlement in August 1867, and before that local iwi traversed the hills
alongside early explorers to the area. The Neavesville track was a popular route as shown by the 1914 photograph on the right. (Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19140716-49-4)
The Thames County Council considered at length in 1934, the
possibility of turning the Kauaeranga-Tairua track into a road. They decision
was that the road was not warranted and that the maintenance costs would be too
great. (Thames Star, 20 January 1934)
The roading dilemma continued and in 1936 the Thames County
asked for government assistance to form and metal a road from the Kauaeranga to
Tairua. On that occasion the Minister for Public Works, Mr R Semple said “On
the information that I have had before me…I have come to the conclusion that
the construction and metalling of this road will eventually be necessary, but
that at the moment it is considered a little premature. (Thames Star, 18 April 1936)
On 20 September 1943 the Thames
Star reported that a deputation from the Thames Chamber of Commerce, Thames
RSA, and Hikuai soldier settlers met with the Hon R Semple (Minister of Works)
to stress the need for a Kauaeranga-Hikuai Road. The group stressed the urgent
need for a link to the soldiers’ settlement where farm land was being
developed.
After years of debate the Kopu-Hikuai Road as we know it
today, started to become a reality in 1957.
1957: Survey of
possible routes were carried out.
1958: Work started
on a Hikuai land development road that would later become part of the
Kopu-Hikuai Road.
1961: In March
the first three miles of the road were metalled. The Ministry of Works used
metal from the Matatoki Quarry for the job. (Thames
Star, 6 March 1961 - photo right)
1964: The final
two-mile contract to connect the two ends of road was let in December. That
year two ladies walked the Kopu-Hikuai Road aged 70 and 59. They were Mrs I
Watts of Whangamata and Mrs L Watts of Beachaven. “The two ladies left Hikuai
at 9am and arrived at the last bridge on the Kopu side of the road at
approximately 5pm.” They spent the night and had a well deserved rest at Mrs Watt’s
sisters (Mrs W McNeil) in Fenton Street, Thames. (Thames Star 24 November 1964)
1965: A summary
in the Thames Star 24 November 1965,
outlined the progress that had taken place over the previous years. The scheme
was estimated at £1,089,000 to create 18 miles of highway through difficult
country. This involved moving two million yards of spoil, building of seven
bridges, and diversion of part of the Kiri Kiri Stream. The maximum grade was 1
in 10. At this stage four miles of the road had been sealed. At that time Mr M
R Lancaster was the Resident Engineer, Mr J M Palmer the Assistance Engineer;
and Mr J Harpur the Surveyor. (photos below)
1966: The Thames Star 22 April 1966 had the good
news that the Kopu-Hikuai Road was progressing well and should be open by
Christmas. “Given reasonable weather conditions, eight to nine miles of the
road will be sealed by the time it is ready for opening, and the remaining
section should be completed by the end of next year [1967].” It was envisaged
that there were going to be great benefits opening up the two sides of the
peninsula. “It will bring the peninsula area within a reasonable distance of
hospitals, schools and other amenities. The
distance to Auckland will be reduced by 30 miles, and to Hamilton by 15 miles.”
It was foreseen that the road would also have great benefit to industries such
as forestry. It was noted that there would be a few curves that would be sharp
and be marked as25m.p.h.; while others would be comfortable at 40 m.p.h.
The Thames Star 13
October 1966, brought the news that it was unlikely that the road would be open
for Christmas as planned, due to ongoing bad weather. At that time they were
awaiting the arrival of “a new Armco culvert…10 feet in diameter by 195 feet
long” which was to be positioned in a gully on the Hikuai side of the summit.
During the time that the road was under construction, it became the Sunday drive event for many Thamesites. We would all pile into cars and drive up the road from Kopu, wondering each time how far the road had progressed. Watching endless slips and walking to catch a glimpse further up the road. Until the great day when the summit was reached. Below are a few of the photographs from the T A Trethowen Collection, kindly provided courtesy of L Mansouri. The photographs by Mr Trethowen graphically show the enormity of the task at hand and the many geographic obstacles that had to be overcome.
1967: On Thursday the 23rd March 1967 the
Kopu-Hikuai Road was officially opened. Half of the 17 ¾ mile long road was
sealed at that time. “The road is 24 feet wide and the seal is 188 feet, and it
is built to a 50 mile-an-hour standard.” (New
Zealand Herald 23 March 1967) The cost was given as £920,000, which included
the building of several bridges and a major culvert. The cost was paid for by
The National Roads Board (50%), roads vote (40%) and the remainder from various
sources (Thames County, Thames Borough, Thames Chamber of Commerce and local
roading committees). It was noted that the road climbed to 1340 feet –just slightly
lower than the Tapu-Coroglen road..
The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 250
people, including the Hikuai School pupils. Speeches were held then the
youngest pupil (Emmett McHardy) helped by Mrs Allen (wife of the Ministry of
Works cut the ribbon that crossed the road. A scroll was presented to Master McHardy to remember the big day. (photo right)
The New Zealand Herald 25 March 1967, reported on the challenges of the
day and the drive home. “Those who returned to the Thames side of the
Coromandel Peninsula in the afternoon found the heavily metalled surface, yet
to be sealed for eight miles on the Tairua side, hard going.” The unsealed
sections were due for sealing during the 1968 season. “Mr W Brunton, Mayor of
Thames described the opening of the road as the ‘most glorious golden egg ever
given at Easter’”
Maps:
The first map is from the 1960s, showing the road access around the Kopu to Hikuai area.
Below is part of a Ministry Works Map used during the construction of the road. The full map show s the different routes proposed and taken as the road was constructed. (Map available to view at The Treasury Thames)
Further information
available:
State Highway 25A
Kopu-Hikuai, Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 38, September 1994
(c) A Barker 2017