One of the last stretches of unsealed state highway in the country is now a step closer to being smothered in tarmac.
Part of SH43. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The first sod has been turned on a project to seal the last remaining 12km of State Highway 43 through the Tangarakau Gorge in East Taranaki.
State Highway 43 - otherwise known as the Forgotten World Highway - connects Stratford in Taranaki to Taumarunui in the King Country.
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke said it had been a long-held ambition to complete sealing the road beyond Whangamōmona.
"This is hugely significant. It's been something successive mayors and councils have been asking for for at least 50 years, so to reach the milestone of the sod-turning it's tremendous.
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
"It opens up a lot of opportunities because with the road sealed eventually that will clear the way for visitors with hire vehicles and campervan, both of whom are reluctant to use the road in its present state."
Volzke said the project would provide a more resilient connection to the central North Island and a natural pathway between Tongariro National Park and Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park).
Richard Pratt, who owns the Whangamōmona Hotel with wife Vicki, said it was a game changer.
"From a hospitality and tourism perspective, it's a great opportunity finishing sealing the road.
"So I see motorbikes - road bikes in particular - will come through in their hundreds and rental companies will be a lot happier that the tourists aren't driving on the gravel."
Whangamōmona Hotel co-owner Richard Pratt says the sealed road will bring relief for tourists who cannot manage the gravel. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
And he would not miss being first port of call when drivers got into trouble either.
"When the country was open, the tourists were inadequate in their driving ability on that road.
"And it's a costly exercise for a tourist 'cause it's usually a truck from Stratford, Midhurst or Taumarunu [that pulls them out]."
However, not everyone was singing the praises of sealing the highway.
Local resident Craig Herlihy, who was outside the hotel when RNZ visited, thought the Provincial Growth Fund investment of $12.2 million could be better spent.
"They should probably maintain the road better instead of tar-sealing it. If you come through from this direction from town, you can see there's a lot of slips and the road's getting eroded away, really."
He reckoned the journey would also lose some of its charm.
"Yeah, it's unique having that still in gravel. It's the only state highway in New Zealand that's got gravel on it, I think."
Craig Herlihy thinks the $12.2 million investment could have been better spent on maintenance. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Back in the hotel, travellers Mike and Marisa Nelson were split on the merits of sealing the road.
Marisa reckoned the trip would not lose its appeal.
"I don't think it makes a big difference at all really. I mean you only have to look around and then you see your charm of all the different things of old New Zealand."
While Mike was more of a metal fan.
"It's a fun drive, it's just totally different to whatever you're used to. I came through a fortnight ago and really enjoyed that metal bit."
Enjoying a gin outside, Hāwera motorcyclist Jason said the metal road put him off going any further.
"Guys on adventure bikes, of course, are okay but on the road bikes, it's a bit more of a challenge.
"The sports bikes are quite hard to ride on the gravel. You can ride but it's slow, so it's definitely an advantage to have it sealed."
Motorhome owner Jim Salmon is pleased SH43 will be fully sealed. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Motorhome owner Jim Salmon, who was travelling with Scooter his four-legged mate, was in the same camp.
"Sealed is a lot easier on the vehicle and I think it's a lot less frightening for the driver, so yeah, I think it's a good idea."
And for anyone really missing driving on a metal road Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke had a tip.
"For those who've got a sympathetic spot for driving on metal, we've still go a couple of hundred kilometres of metal in the district and they can drive on any one of them."
It is estimated traffic will grow by 15 percent on the 148km route after it is sealed - bringing vehicle numbers close to 13,000 a year
That is tipped to boost tourism in Taranaki by as much as $45 million annually.
Waka Kotahi estimates sealing the road will be complete early in 2024.