Carter Holt Harvey Forest
Access to three CHH Forest areas (Mt Thomas, Balmoral & Ashley/Okuku) has been used by many and there are some particularly challenging sections in the Forest. However, the cost is still considered on the high side especially if only a small number of vehicles turn out for a trip. The end of the first year’s agreement is shortly coming to a close and the Combined Group is setting out to reduce this cost to make access far more affordable. The issue of vehicle certification will also be addressed at the meeting to be held shortly

Contact for access to this area is through:
Brent McGuire
Ph 384 3479
email: bmedr@ihug.co.nz
Paul Dolheguy
Ph 359 9956
email: pauldol@xtra.co.nz

Tracks, Access and Other Matters
Ahuriri.
A number of Combined Clubs and other interested parties took the initiative to look min on the meeting that was hosted by the DOC Conservator in relation to the Ahuriri area. Access has been blocked to 4X4’s and it appears that this will not be opened. There are some issues surrounding the action but the Comb Clubs has decided not to pursue this.

Molesworth
The Combined group is in discussion with the landowner over access to what is and isn’t accessible with the end result being the area mapped indicating which tracks can be used. The landowner has asked Clubs that do winter snow trips to stay on the formed roads as the areas off tracks can get severely chewed up over winter.

Leigh Camp
We are currently in discussion with the owners over use of the off road park and looking into an agreement which would secure an area for our exclusive use. The area constitutes approximately 15 acres of formed ruts, hillocks, holes etc and with some more work could be made quite challenging. As I understand it, there is also direct access to the Ashley Track. This could prove to be an exceptional area for training new members and for a good day’s fun. The owners have suggested that the toilets and adjoining grassed area could be made available to members using the park. However there will be a cost to secure the area, which will be passed onto the Clubs for consideration after further discussions.
We will keep you informed.

Big Hut
The Combined group has thrown its weight in behind the restoration appeal for this building. Donations and help have been requested. Owing to the fact that the building is located down south on the
Rock and Pillar Range at 4300 feet makes it a little inaccessible for a day’s working bee. We however can co-ordinate donations from member clubs and provided we can raise at least $1000 we will have a plaque engraved and affixed inside the finished hut. The Hut will be usable for trips in the area and is great for an overnight stop. Check out details on the web site at. http://www.middlemarch.co.nz/big_hut

Macauley/Godley Area
We have been requested by DOC that if we are in this area please do not drive any further up the valley that the Macauley Hut. A similar request has been made to avoid taking vehicles past Separation Point in the Godley Valley as the National Park areas are not marked.

Combined Clubs Web site
This is now up and running so check this out. There is basic one page info on each member club plus a link to get to that Club’s web address. It is proposed that over time further pages will be added but at least for now we are on the
http://www.4wd.org.nz

Code of Conduct
The group is looking at a Code of Conduct that will be used by member clubs. This has come up through discussions with DOC as part of negotiating access provisions.
The formation of this document is seen as a positive step towards enhancing our status with this government department. Most clubs will have some form of conduct code written into their Rules and or Regulations as part of their Incorporated Societies requirements. The Combined group is taking all of the appropriate details and formatting these all into a document that will work for the Clubs.

ECAN
Ecan has contacted the Combined group to see if we can help them with removing wilding pines on the Avoca/Harper Rivers junction. They were let down by another group and we are pleased to be asked to help out and thereby generate some good PR with this large organisation. We are looking for at least 4 vehicles form each Club with at least two persons in each truck. The work is planned for Saturday 30th April leaving the Yaldhurst Pub at 8.00am and joining up with others at Hororata at around 8.40am. Ecan will supply tools. Bring own lunch and change of clothes.

Training
The Combined group is assessing whether it is feasible to document some training procedures / processes that will work across all clubs. This is to suggest that all clubs training procedures would be of a similar standard thereby adding value to the Code of Conduct that can be promoted to larger organisations.
This is still in the consideration stages at the moment so feedback through the Combined group will be most appreciated