Monday 19 February
Ian Insights + Photos By Group

For commuters & recreational users alike, this urban path is a great community asset.
Murali had rallied the Palmerston North team to meet up late afternoon - one group walked & one group cycled the loop. Great to have Southern Cross Healthcare with us!

Good views & info at this spot near Turitea Pā which was used as recently as the 1850s, but unfortunately no remnants of the old pā remain today. Once a tall viewing platform stood on  this same site called Te Pūhara o Turitea (The sentry watchtower of Turitea). That 9+ metre tall lookout gave Rangitāne people an unobstructed 360-degree view of anyone coming up or down the river & was part of a network of  pūhara strategically placed along the Manawatū River and at various inland locations.

Checking out the Eels (tuna) 
Historically eels in the area had weighed as much as 40kg & the population was abundant.
Their decline was largely due to habitat destruction via swamp drainage, pollution, loss of feeding grounds and the deterioration of riparian margins.
This community project seeks to restore the population & a rahui, on the stream/surrounds of the Manawatū River, means no one is allowed to catch or consume them... watching & feeding is fine.  

Not at Wellington levels, but Palmy offers a bracing breeze fairly regularly.

After a quick refresh we all met at Brew Union a gastro pub in town where all the local registrars and their partners joined us... a great day & evening getting to know people better.