One of the Waikato’s most popular walks, the Te Waihou / Putāruru Blue Spring walkway, has now fully re-opened following a major upgrade project led by the South Waikato District Council.

After two years of weather-related closures and staged re-openings, the entire 5km riverside track is now accessible from both the Leslie Road and Whites Road entrances – just in time for the school holidays and winter tourists.

Council was forced to close the entire walkway in November 2023 after a severe weather event caused a rockfall near the Leslie Road entrance, leading to traffic congestion and safety concerns at the Whites Road end.

Since then, the Council has carried out a fast-tracked programme of upgrades, originally planned over three years, to make the walkway safer and more accessible. This includes stabilising cliffs, strengthening and extending boardwalks and tripling the size of the car park.

South Waikato District Council Executive Manager of Delivery Nick Murphy says the reopening is a big moment for the district.

“This work has not only addressed safety and access issues but also improved several parts of the track for future visitors. Condensing the project into one year means we’ve caught up on overdue maintenance and the walkway should now stay open and safe.”