About 100 people turned up in their walking shoes for the opening of Patumahoe's new walkway, Te Ara O Whangamaire on November 23, which paid tribute to the late Dave Pufflet.

A special seat was unveiled for Mr Puflett, or Puff as he was commonly known, a major contributor in the development of the walkway and an active member of the Patumahoe community.

Kaumatua Dennis Kirkwood from Ngati Tamaoho and George Flavell from Ngati Te Ata led the community from the end of Clive Howe Dr down to the top of the walkway, while Mr Kirkwood performed a karakia.

Andrew Sinclair from Whakaupoko Landcare, a group Puff was part of, led the opening and spoke about the community efforts that went into building Te Ara O Whangamaire.

"Every child from Patumahoe School came down and dragged sacks of rocks down here to go around the track, so they all had a part in building the track."

About 22 children from Patumahoe School attended the opening and sung a waiata to mark the occasion.

Members of Franklin Local Board attended, including chairman Andy Baker who said the walkway was an outstanding asset to the community.

"This is something Patumahoe can be extremely proud of and Puff's family will be able to think of him every time they come here."

Walkway co-ordinator Peter Hardy officially declared Te Ara O Whangamaire open, but it was Puff's wife Lyn who cut the ribbon to the new trail, with son Sam alongside.

The track offers several walks which weave through bush and farmland above the Whangamaire Stream.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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