Newsletter - 23rd November 2025
Photo of the Week
Each week we will post an image taken by one of our walkers of a scene they spotted on a walk. Generally these images should not include photos of any walkers. Please send any images to info@cpcw.co.nz noting photo of the week in the subject line.
This week’s photo was taken by Wendy Bentley on Friday’s walk through the Belmont Regional Park. These gentle souls seem more than happy to observe the speed limit while walkers sped past.
A word from...
Once again all three walks proceeded this week with the Wednesday walkers tackling the streets and paths of Northland and the Thursday walkers the streets and paths of Churton Park and Johnsonville. By contrast, the Friday walkers were in Belmont Regional Park getting wet feet in crossing streams and a thorough spring clean of any cobwebs traversing the hills. Churton Park Community Walkers have had such good fortune with the weather in recent weeks that I have suggested to Keith we take advantage of this string of good luck and invest in some Lotto tickets. I’m anticipating that Keith and I will still be around next week, but if you don’t see or hear from either of us the following week you can assume our yachts are both out of wifi or radio range.
David Pegram, Convenor
Walk details for Wednesday November 26th
This Week’s Walks: Some may like it and others may not, but this coming Wednesday’s walks make up the Wainui Hill Challenge. We will try to do the walks that we planned to carry out in September 2024 but had to cancel because of the inclement weather.
The SSs should note that there is an addition that can be incorporated, but requires some organisation within the group. (See the notes under SS’s Walk details.). The walks will start at 9:20am from the designated parking. Please note that there is a different starting point for the FFs. The PPs and SSs have the same parking.
PPs: A 4.41km flat walk that takes in the banks of the Waiwhetu Stream and returns using the industrial streets of Gracefield. You can see the walk here.
SSs: There is a choice of two walks for the SSs. Firstly a 5.45km there and back walk starting at the parking in Tunnel Grove, then to the top of Wainui Hill and returning by the same route to the parking. You can see the walk here.
The alternative walk requires a prior arrangement with others to collect the walkers from Pt Howard. You can see this alternative 5.66km walk here.
FFs: A 7.91km loop walk taking in the Wainui Hill challenge and heading on via the track to Pt Howard and then back to the cars in Port Road. You can see the walk here and on Plotaroute here.
Parking: The parking for both the PPs and the SSs is in Tunnel Grove, a cul-de-sac running off Gracefield Road.
The parking for the FFs is on Port Road near the south-eastern end.
Coffee: Coffee is at Columbus Coffee, Mitre 10 Mega, Petone. We have told them that a good number of us will be returning for coffee. They generally cope well with our numbers.
Happy walking.
Russell Paterson
Walk Schedules: You can look at the walk schedule for November 2025 here.
Reminder: Please ensure that you inform your group’s leader if you leave a walk partway through.
Cancellations: If the walks are cancelled an email will be sent out as early as possible but definitely before 8:00am.
FINAL CHANCE: TODAY (SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23rd) IS YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO BOOK FOR THE LUNCH.
Please click HERE for details
Methven Photos
Brian Alderson has kindly shared his great photos from the Methven trip. Please click HERE for the link to the photos.
Calendar of Events
Our Sponsors
CPCW are very grateful for the support of a number of generous sponsors. They are listed at the end of the newsletter and, periodically, we will highlight them through a profile in the newsletter.
This week we have chosen Simmer as our featured sponsor:
Simmer is our Churton Park café providing great food and drinks in the heart of the Churton Park Village.
Address: Churton Park Village, 103 Westchester Drive
Phone: 04 4785224
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Simmer/100066473601395/
Hours: Mon – Thurs 7.00am – 4.00pm
Friday 7.00am – 8.30pm
Sat/Sun 9.00am – 4.00pm
CPCW Photos
Wednesday Walkers
On Wednesday, walkers headed out from Ian Galloway Park and up into the Wellington suburb of Northland – as opposed to the province of Northland which really would have been a Wednesday walk too far!
Please try and remember to take a group photo and send it to info@cpcw.co.nz
SSs: Thanks to Rowena Rowe, once again, for catching the SSs out on their walk.
FFs: The photo of this group is courtesy of Russell Paterson.
Thursday Walkers
Thursday’s group walked around Churton Park and Johnsonville. Thanks to Hue Ng for the photos.
Friday Walkers
On Friday, Clint Davis led the walk which he had recced in Belmont Regional Park. It is always surprising to find new territory in this Park which sits just on our doorstep – a number of walkers had not covered this territory. Clint led walkers up from the top of Hill Road in Belmont and up and down various hills on the farmland of this part of the Park. A fantastic opportunity to enjoy stunning views and appreciate the much-folded landscape. Walkers shared the territory with cattle and sheep who were all somewhat nonchalant. The nor’west wind was working hard to keep the air fresh! Prior to the Methven walk, a group of 6 FFs had walked the Kaikoura Coastal Walk which traverses beach, bush, forest and farmland. One of the host farmers advised us to hoist a cap on a walking pole as an effective means to keep cattle at a distance. Check out the photos below – it seems to be working! Friday photos have kindly been provided by Graham and Wendy Bentley; Clint Davis; and Bill Gaudie.
