Waipā discovery bus tours are back
22 February 2018
Due to popular demand, Waipa District Council is hosting a further eight free discovery bus tours to highlight significant sites across the district.
Last year Council held seven tours focusing on the western side of the district, the latest tours released also include tours of the eastern side of the district.
Heritage manager, Tony Roxburgh said after booking out an initial two tours in one day and offering a further five more last year, it was clear there was a huge interest in the history of Waipā and the New Zealand Wars.
"Our district is absolutely jam-packed with history, from early human settlement through to the period of the New Zealand Wars, and the appetite to learn more about our history and understand our story is fantastic.
"These tours give our community an opportunity to visit and learn about some of our key sites and understand why Council think it is time we put a greater investment into our heritage and sharing our stories."
The eastern tours will explore the stories of the Cambridge Town Hall, Lake Te Koo Utu, Roto-o-rangi, Sanatorium Hill and Lake Karāpiro. While the western tours will include key stops at Rangiaowhia, Ōrākau and Alexandra Armed Constabulary Redoubt, Roxburgh explained.
"Waipā really does have a fascinating history and we're excited to share even more of our stories, including the diverse history of Cambridge and surrounding areas."
The bus tours are taking place as part of Council's consultation on the 2018-28 draft 10-Year Plan which runs from 15 March - 20 April.
Council's draft 10-Year Plan, which will be shared with the community in mid-March, proposes a $3.6m spend on Waipa's cultural and ecological sites. It also includes a council contribution of $7.2 million towards a Waipa Discovery Centre and a $4.4 million spend on the Cambridge Town Hall.
Eight tours are being offered throughout March and April, all tours begin at 9am and finish by 12 noon. Numbers on each tour are limited to around 40 people and places will be allocated on a first-in, first-serve basis.
Anyone interested in joining a tour should register at www.waipadc.govt.nz/bus-tours or call Council on 0800 924 723.
For more information, contact: Natalie Palmer, 027 807 3174