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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
For the first time since devastating floods hit Fiordland in February, homeless people are now able to walk the Milford Track from one end to the other.
The flooding damaged several sections of the Great Walk, and repairs to the Clinton Valley section were completed over the winter.
The damage was most severe between Dumpling Hut and Sandfly Point in Arthur Valley and repairs took a little longer.
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Tess Brunton / RNZ
Milford Track. The flooding damaged several sections of the Great Walk track.
Department of Conservation Operations Director for the South of the South Island, Aaron Fleming, said Morning report a lot of work had gone into planning the repairs.
“It’s one of our most iconic tracks, not just in New Zealand, but around the world, so today it’s fantastic news to have the bums back and able to ride the full length of the track.”
Visitors will notice some areas with new tracks and a new bridge to replace one that was washed away by flooding.
Fleming said they weren’t sure at first how much interest there would be in the bookings, but they sold out at lunchtime when they opened a few months ago.
“It’s almost like trying to get a concert ticket to go up the Milford Track. That blew us away, it’s New Zealanders coming out, exploring our backyard and exploring Fiordland, which is such an important part of New Zealand conservation.”
Building resilience would always be a challenge, but they were working on it, he said.
“When we do this work, we want to make sure that we are taking climate change into account in our planning and make sure that when we look at infrastructure and when we prepare for the next weather event, the work that is done today can last longer and sustain that.” .
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
