Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project (Inc.) – KEEP
Kaiawhina o te Wahapuu Karamea
PRESS RELEASE: Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project Special Event:
What: Karamea Estuary Walkway Official Opening
Where: Entrance of Karamea Estuary Walkway Ray Street Karamea
When: Thursday March 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
The Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project (KEEP) committee is a community group formed in 2006 that has been working in
concert with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and other volunteer groups to restore and enhance the natural
environment of the Karamea Estuary, plant trees, construct benches, erect information boards detailing the Maori and
European history of the region and its ecology and build a walkway around the estuary.
Karamea Estuary (Photo by Paul Murray)
The walkway provides the Karamea community with a significant asset that can be enjoyed by local people and provide
visitors to the region with a meaningful physical activity replete with historical and ecological information, stunning
scenery and access to the estuary and the myriad flora and fauna lifeforms it hosts. The walkway also provides for
wheelchair access to the estuary enabling people who are unable to walk to also enjoy the attraction.
A stroll around the walkway is beneficial to the health by providing exercise for the body, education, relaxation and
tranquillity for the mind and refreshment for the soul. Since its construction and the associated improvement in
accessibility of the area, the number of people visiting the estuary has significantly increased, it is of great benefit
to the people living in Karamea and a must see feature for visitors to the region.
KEEP would like to invite members of the media and public to attend the event to take a walk with us around the walkway
and join with other invited guests and dignitaries to celebrate the opening of the walkway, the success of the project
and the many achievements of the organisation.
Information sheets will be provided on the day and KEEP members will be available for interviews and comment. KEEP
Chairman George Snowden will make a speech to officially open the walkway, light refreshments and heavy conversation
will follow the chairman’s address.
KEEP on FaceBook: Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project
ENDS