We acknowledge and congratulate all the school children who plant seedlings on our walkways, under the guidance of HELP (Habitat Enhancement and Landcare Partnership). Scouts, Cubs and Keas have contributed to planting days and earned credits towards their Conservation Badges. Waihi Rotarians assisted with maintenance.

Our projects are wonderful opportunities for youth to learn about our indigenous trees and plants, how and where they grow best, and their value in restoring waterways and enhancing biodiversity and the ecosystem.

Our volunteers have provided invaluable assistance to the development of all of our walks. Every planting season (May to September) we see a boost in our native tree population (in 2007 our volunteers planted approximately 1000 plants!).

Additionally volunteers have attended to ongoing weed maintenance, mowing, scrub bar work, rubbish clearance, fence maintenance, firewooding, seedling propagation, caring for and preparing seedlings for planting, and a myriad of other supporting activities.

Most importantly, Waihi Walkways values the energy and passion exhibited by our volunteers to support the concept of walkways, environmental enhancement and heritage protection.

Our committed band of committee members continues to meet regularly to oversee and plan our progress.

Walkway neighbours are contributing time, plants, mowing grass verges, assisting with fencing, to "their" part of the walkway. These expressions of community spirit are valued. Other contributions include donations of many seedlings for planting out; fencing, planting and maintenance of seedlings on the Coffey's walk; fencing and gates on Riverbank Terrace Walkway.

Many of our various contractors have donated time to see a job well done.

Our many walkers keep the grass tracks well worn!

Waihi Walkways is receiving increasing support from the community in a variety of ways. Several local businesses have either donated materials or provided a discount. These include:

Elliots Furniture, Mitre 10, PGG Wrightsons, RD1, Kea Trailers, Waihi Outdoor Power Equipment, Te Aroha Tractors and Machinery.

The Department of Corrections has supplied considerable labour force contributing to efforts of clearing for walkway development and mulching.

We acknowledge with gratitude and congratulate those who have assisted in the past and who will assist in the future. The various funding organisations which support community initiatives are essential to the continuance of Waihi Walkways.

We believe that Waihi Walkways presents a wonderful opportunity for other funders to contribute to this important community initiative.

Our funders include:

Agrisea New Zealand Ltd

We are delighted to acknowledge the sponsorship by AgriSea of our co-ordinator’s contract.

Jill Bradley, Managing Director says, “We are proud to be sponsoring Waihi Walkways and the projects they have undertaken.  Their dedication and commitment to environmental initiatives, clean water and habitat restoration for our native wildlife, is a genuine step for sustainability… a legacy for our grand-children of the Ohinemuri District.”

Trust Waikato - ongoing contributions over many years for projects and walkway development.

N.Z. Lotteries, Environment and Heritage – specific project funding, bridges for Mill Stream, feasibility study for the Ohinemuri River Historic Walkway, walkway construction, a chipper.

Jim Say Foundation – contributing to our first walkway, Mill Stream, supporting heritage project the Ohinemuri Regional History Journals on line, supporting the Ohinemuri River Historic Walkway proposal and other walkway developments.

Valder Trust – supports our local environmental initiatives, for purchase of our power carrier and trailer, health and safety gear, and some signage, supporting heritage project the Ohinemuri Regional History Journals on line. Supporting heritage interpretation.

Environment Waikato – our regional council which supported with an initial substantial fund for riparian planting, Clean Streams funding subsidy, and also contributes with advice and enthusiasm.

Hauraki District Council – Comments about Waihi Walkways from Sel Baker, Waihi Ward Chairman: "Full marks to the members who give so much of their time for something that others can enjoy. Congratulations to each and every member – your public spirit is to be commended."  Hauraki District Council has supported with monetary contributions for plants, also provision of mulch, a digger for several clearance and benching requirements, seedlings, bollards and chain.

Honda Tree Fund – has contributed funding to purchase native plants for Pukeko Park development.

Newmont Waihi Gold – has provided printing, funding for Ohinemuri River Historic Walkway concept plan, provided landscape services for same, contributed in kind to development of Mill Stream Walkway extension.

PowerCo – contribution toward predator control programme, and a significant funder for creating the interpretation of heritage features found along the Mill Stream Walkway.

Lion Foundation - enabled us to hire appropriate contractors and purchase materials to lay the metalled extension to Mill Stream Walkway. Provided major funding for the purchase of our ride-on mower.  Funding for fencing stock off the walkways, and for some signage.

Department of Conservation – Conservation Grant - Grants have enabled us to progress feasibility aspects of the Ohinemuri River Historic Walkway. Support and advice, and supplied a people-counter.

BOC Gases – "Where There's Water" - This community grant enabled us to clear the Mill Stream bed from the Speak's Quarry downstream. This stream was heavily congested with fallen logs, elaeagnus growing over it, willows, and considerable industrial and domestic debris. With the streambed cleared, flooding is no longer an issue in that area. Grant to rehabilitate the banks with indigenous plantings and wetland development.

N.Z. Community Trust - has provided resource for the development of the "Pylon Paddock" next to the Scout Den. This area has been transformed thanks to this grant and the work of volunteers.

Creation Spirituality – donations for the purchase of indigenous plants to contribute to biodiversity rehabilitation.

Donations – people donate resources, such as plants, fencing, picnic tables and professional services.