‘‘Whose idea was it to plant a tree here?’’
You could see the thought running through the minds of Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins and NZ Transport Agency director Jim Harland, as they tried to dig a hole in the stony earth for a small southern rata.
Adding to the misery was the cold rain and giggles from watching community members and officials.
Eventually they gave up and left the job to some people not wearing expensive suits and fine shoes.
Yesterday’s tree planting at Sawyers Bay marked the beginning of the final stage of construction of the State Highway88 shared path between Dunedin and Port Chalmers.
Mr Hawkins said it was amazing to think when the first stages of the project were being planned, the council was told by some sections of the community that nobody would use it.
‘‘And now, particularly on the weekends but even during the week, what we have from St Leonards to the rowing club at the southern end, is a recreational highway for cyclists, walkers, joggers, pram pushers — the lot.’’
He said once the Otago Peninsula section was connected to the West Harbour section, they would combine to become a ‘‘truly exceptional asset’’ for residents and visitors alike.
‘‘I don’t think that has really sunk in, just how much of a tremendous asset that will be, imminently, when the two sides of the pond are connected.’’
