Haast-Hollyford road facts for kids
The Haast-Hollyford road is a long-talked-about idea for a new road in the South Island of New Zealand. It would connect Haast with Milford Sound and Te Anau by going through the beautiful Hollyford Valley. People have been suggesting this road since the 1880s.
The idea for this road first came up in the 1870s. Back then, it was seen as a way to reach the port of Jackson Bay from the gold mining areas of Otago. However, it was never possible to cross the high Southern Alps to Lake Wakatipu.
Later, a road was built from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. This road is now a very popular route for tourists. Most recent plans for the Haast-Hollyford road focus on extending this existing road further north. Local groups supported the idea from the 1950s to the 1980s. But the government department in charge of roads, the Ministry of Works, always said it wasn't a top priority for funding.
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Why Build the Haast-Hollyford Road?
People who support the Haast-Hollyford road believe it would bring many good things.
Helping Tourism in Milford Sound
One main reason for building the road is to help with the large number of tourists at Milford Sound. Right now, most visitors come from Queenstown. This means there's a huge rush of activity in the middle of the day. Also, the last part of the current road to Milford Sound often closes in winter. This greatly reduces the number of tourists visiting Te Anau and Milford Sound during those months.
Exploring More of the South Island
A new Haast-Hollyford road would let tourists see much more of the South Island in the same amount of time. It would make the journey between Fiordland and the West Coast much shorter. For example, Haast is currently about 539 kilometers (335 miles) from Milford Sound by road. A new road could cut that distance down to around 175 kilometers (109 miles). One plan suggests the road would be 198 kilometers (123 miles) long. This new road could be designed to protect nature while still being enjoyable for visitors.
Why Some People Oppose the Road
Even with the benefits, there is strong opposition to building the Haast-Hollyford road.
Protecting Nature
Any new road would have to go through untouched land that is incredibly beautiful. This area is part of Fiordland National Park, which is also part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area. This means it's a very special place recognized globally for its natural importance. Environmental groups are strongly against building the road because they want to protect this wild and unspoiled land.
High Costs
Building the road would be very expensive. One estimate for the cost is NZ$300 million. Many people think it would likely be a toll road, meaning drivers would have to pay to use it. The high cost is a big reason why the project has been put on hold. However, some groups, like Federated Mountain Clubs, believe the cost would be much higher, possibly over NZ$1 billion. They got these higher estimates from independent road engineers.
What the Area is Like
The proposed routes for the Haast-Hollyford road go through an area that has barely been touched by humans.
Forests and Rivers
The land is covered with thick forests of beech and podocarp trees. These forests have never been cut down. There are also many rivers and lakes along the paths where the road might go.
National Parks
One of the suggested routes would pass through Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park. It would also go through the Awarua Point Conservation Area. This route would follow the Hollyford Track, which is a popular tramping (hiking) trail in the Hollyford Valley.
A Look at the Road's History
Early Ideas (1800s)
The idea for a road connecting Otago and South Westland's goldfields came up in 1865. Surveyors explored the area, and some early plans were made. The road was seen as important for developing the West Coast. Some small parts of the road were even built in the late 1800s. Maps were drawn showing possible routes between Lake Wakatipu and Jackson Bay.
Work During the Great Depression (1901-1945)
Not much happened with the road until the Great Depression in the 1930s. At that time, building roads was seen as a way to give jobs to unemployed people. Work began on the Milford Road, which eventually reached Marian Corner, near the Hollyford River. The most challenging part was crossing the main mountain range to Milford Sound. This involved digging a long tunnel, known as the Homer Saddle tunnel.
In 1935, a report suggested building roads from Bruce Bay to the Haast Pass and from Haast to Hollyford. Work on the lower Hollyford end of the Haast–Hollyford road started in 1936. However, all work stopped in 1940 because of World War II.
Post-War Efforts (1946-1975)
After the war, people living in remote areas still wanted the road. In 1961, funds were made available for seasonal workers on the southern part of the road in the Hollyford Valley. Work continued there until 1967. In 1965, Prime Minister Keith Holyoake opened the Haast Pass road. He hoped to return in 10 years to open a completed Haast–Hollyford road, but this didn't happen.
Later Proposals (1976-2000)
More studies and cost estimates were done in the 1970s and 1980s. Costs ranged from $40 million to over $100 million. The campaign for the road gained support when the South Island's west coast was named a World Heritage Site. Some people, like conservationist Dr David Bellamy, argued that travelers should have access to this special area.
In 1990, a huge area of land, including four national parks, was officially named the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area. Despite this, some politicians continued to support the idea of a "World Heritage Drive." In 1992, the Minister of Tourism, John Banks, said the road was the "only safe logical step to increase tourism."
In the 1990s, new plans suggested a coastal route that could be open by 1997. It was thought that the road would shorten the trip from Milford to Haast from five hours to two hours. These plans often suggested it would be a toll road, funded by private companies, and designed to protect the environment. Local councils also supported the idea of a toll road.
Recent Discussions (Since 2000)
In 2001, a publication supporting the road was shared, but environmental groups strongly criticized it. However, some political leaders continued to show interest in the idea. In 2004, the Chairman of Environment Southland, Ted Loose, said that progress on the road had been stopped by people worried about its effects. He noted that problems with congestion at Milford Sound were getting worse.
In 2005, the Department of Conservation asked for public opinions on a new conservation plan. Over 500 people supported building a link road. In 2009, the Westland District Council also confirmed its support and set aside money for part of the existing gravel road.
In 2010, a businessman named Earl Hagaman paid for a report that suggested a toll road could be built for $225–315 million. He argued it would be very important for New Zealand's tourism industry. While some government ministers were personally supportive, the government wasn't officially considering it at the time.
However, in 2012, the property part of the Westland District Council signed an agreement to build a toll road. They started working on getting the necessary permissions. In 2013, it was revealed that this council group would get a $1 million fee if the road was approved. The council's roading arm also received a large contract to upgrade a section of an existing road that could be part of the larger project.
