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Mahurangi trail stalwart Shelley Trotter has won the 2023 Outdoor Access Champion Award for her work in enhancing public access to the great outdoors.
The Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa – Outdoor Access Commission’s annual award recognises significant and lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors in New Zealand.
This could include securing new legal access, championing public rights of access, trail building, or contributing to an understanding of access rights and responsibilities.
Shelley’s award recognises the decades she has spent advancing public access and developing pathways around Warkworth, Matakana and Snells Beach, including her work to legally protect up to 4.5 kilometres of trail crossing her farm between Matakana, Snells Beach and Warkworth.
“She spends a lot of time working with neighbouring farmers and businesses to encourage them to consider outdoor access easements,” commission spokesperson Stephen Day says.
The track across her Solway Deer Farm is a vital part of stage one of the ambitious Pūhoi to Mangawhai trail project, being developed by the Matakana Coast Trail Trust (MCTT). The proposed network of trails will ultimately link Mangawhai, Leigh, Matakana, Point Wells/Omaha, Snells Beach, Warkworth and Pūhoi.
Shelley was presented with her award by Auckland Council programme manager Chris Charles last month.
“Shelley has worked tirelessly to develop many of the walking and cycling connections identified in the Rodney Greenways paths and trails plan for Pūhoi to Pakiri, and absolutely merits the recognition for her voluntary contributions,” he says.
Shelley, who has an MSc in Environmental Science and Geography, is an MCTT trustee and a key member of the Mahurangi Trail Society.
MCTT marketing and fundraising manager Meg Erikson describes her as “a beacon of inspiration”.
“Her vision extends beyond the creation of pathways; she champions a holistic approach that considers both community needs and environmental sustainability,” she says.
“What distinguishes Shelley is not just her expertise in trail building, but her genuine care for the environment, numerous tree planting events, and the communities she serves. Her attention to detail and adherence to sound processes ensure that her projects will not only endure, but will thrive for generations to come.”
Meg also praises Shelley’s hands-on approach.
“Whether it’s wielding tools to physically build trails or engaging with communities to foster understanding of access rights, Shelley is always at the forefront.”
Shelley calls the award “a bit humbling”, saying she was just one person in a team.
“Probably because it’s my name on the title of the land where we’re trying to put the easement, that’s why I get the recognition.”
She points out that the easement has still not been granted.
“They tried to give me the award a year ago but I said ‘I don’t want the award; I want the easement’. Twelve months later, I still don’t have the easement but they sprang the award on me anyway. And with cake!” she laughs. “So how could you say no?”
Shelley’s connections with the land run deep. Her forebears go back to a great grandmother, born in 1856 in Martins Bay.
“I grew up less than a kilometre from where Dad lived, and he grew up less than a kilometre from where his Dad grew up.”
Shelley says the trail easement process has stalled somewhat because of overstretched resources resulting from last year’s floods.
“We’ll get there. In a district that’s becoming more and more urbanised, we’re going to be able to get people into the bush.
“At the end we’re going to have an amazing public amenity through multiple land tenures,” she says. “It’s going to be really beautiful.”
