Te Araroa Trail, issues on southland farmland

posted on the TA facebook page Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail Admin · Yesterday at 8:37pm Hi all This may be "preaching to the converted" however TAT has fielded a few complaints the last few weeks as a number of walkers move through the South Island. The most critical point is Mt Linton Station in Southland - the station manager is really at his wits end managing walkers leaving the marked route and doing as they please. He is now taking the step of trespassing any walker found off the marked route, and requiring them to leave the property immediately by the way which they came. This follows a long period of frustration and TAT fully supports his actions - the only other course of action would be having Mt Linton withdrawing their agreement for access and that would have a far more significant impact on Te Araroa. The station manager is a really top man who has done an enormous amount to support Te Araroa, however he has a job to do and it is being compromised by the time he's having to spend sorting out disruptions. Last month a full day of crutching was lost due to a gate being left open and a mob of sheep relocating - we cant even begin to imagine to cost and annoyance of that happening. The other location is Mt Hay Station adjacent to Lake Tekapo, at the southern end of the Two Thumb Track. Once you cross Boundary Stream the trail/road is flanked by private land and camping is not welcomed - particularly evidence of toileting and fires. Please make sure you camp on DOC land prior to Boundary Stream, or continue through to Lake Tekapo Village. 99% of walkers do a great job of respecting landowners and ensuring continued goodwill towards Te Araroa, however a small minority are eroding this goodwill and putting future experiences at risk. Please don't hesitate to call these people out - their ignorance threatens the enjoyment of others, and it completely undermines the hours of work put in by Te Araroa volunteers making these routes happen. Please, please - show some awareness and consideration of what is going on around the Trail and act accordingly. It is disappointing to need to post messages such as this.