Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission
Saving a high-country road, cherished for its history, views and the access it provides to a special area, is the mission of a public meeting next month.
Arrowtown will host a crucial public meeting on 7 July, where residents, outdoor recreationalists, 4WD enthusiasts and other interested groups will gather to discuss the future of Macetown Road.
The Mahu Whenua Access Advisory Group, which includes representation from Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, has been working for the past 14 months to develop a managed access system to preserve the road for future generations.
Due to its ongoing deterioration, the road urgently needs a new management system, the group says. An unmanaged and unmanageable number of drivers are detracting from the iconic experience of 4WDers, mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders.
Informally, Queenstown Lakes District Council has undertaken maintenance and repaired slips on the road in the past, but can no longer do so.
“Without intervention, the road’s condition will worsen, and no one is available to repair it. We need to take proactive steps to prevent that from happening,” says Herenga ā Nuku Queenstown Lakes and Southland Regional Field Advisor Richard Ryall.
The proposed system includes installing a squeeze barrier for cyclists and walkers alongside a locked vehicle gate. A fee-based online permit system will provide the code to unlock the gate for motorcycles and 4WD vehicles.
“This system will not only help monitor the number of vehicles using the road and its seasonal patterns, but it also facilitates implementing caps on vehicle numbers during peak times. Our goal is to extend the life of this important track, which officially isn’t classified as a road,” Ryall says.
Ryall emphasises the significance of Macetown Road, noting that losing access would be a blow to the 4WD community and other groups nationwide.
“If we lose access irretrievably it will be a loss of national significance,” he says.
“There’s a deep emotional value attached to this road, as reflected in the stories shared by the community.”
At the meeting, the steering committee will explain its plans and engage with the local community.
The Mahu Whenua Access Advisory Group has received some financial support and is awaiting responses to additional funding applications. With the support of the Shotover Four Wheel Drive Club and other outdoor recreation bodies, the project has gained momentum as the community rallies to safeguard their access to this cherished landmark.
Herenga ā Nuku is working with the local council, Department of Conservation, Land Information NZ, Soho Properties and QEIINZ to develop an enduring legal access easement over the land.
Ryall noted, “The terrain, multiple river crossings, and complex legal framework can make this a daunting task, but we are committed to seeing this project through.”
Ryall is encouraging residents of Arrowtown and the surrounding areas to attend the meeting and participate in the discussions about the road’s future. “We want the community to help us ensure Macetown Road remains accessible for years to come.”
Meeting details
Date: 7 July 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Venue: Arrowtown Rugby Clubrooms
Join us on 7 July to learn more about this important initiative and share your voice!
The Advisory Group would like to acknowledge the generous support for the project from Community Trust South, Central Lakes Trust, New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association (and affiliated South Island Clubs), ACL Communications Ltd, Scope Surveying Ltd and Queenstown Lions Club.
