What is Waimate2gether?

Waimate2gether is a conduit between the people in Waimate with great ideas that will benefit our community and the resources to make them happen.

Who funds Waimate2gether? 

Waimate2gether was created in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs, who funded project resourcing costs (staffing, engagement and committee). Now that the DIA Community Led Development Program has ended, Waimate2gether fund projects through grant applications and donations.

Is this a council initiative?

No, Waimate2gether was developed in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs under the Community Led Development Program. Within this partnership the DIA offered advice and support. Waimate2gether work with government agencies, tangata whenua, local authorities, funders, businesses and local organisations to help the community achieve their locally-led initiatives.

So it's not being funded by the ratepayers?

No, Waimate2gether relies on funding through grants and donations, and works independently from the Waimate District Council.

How long will Waimate2gether be running? 

As long as there is opportunity to enhance Waimate! Although the 5 year Community Led Development Program with DIA has ended, Waimate2gether is still working on a number of new and existing community projects.

If an idea requires significant funding, will it be ignored?

ALL ideas will be assessed on whether they will support the community’s vision and aspirations as captured under the community plan. Waimate2gether’s role is to support the implementation of projects driven by the community, for the community, big or small.

Why is the new Waimate Trail for walkers/runners/cyclists but not horses?

There a number of reasons why the proposed Waimate Trail is not suitable for horse riding. The Waimate Trail will pass through private land, which landowners have very kindly granted access. Some landowners have specified that they do not want any animals on their land, and we respect their limitations and requests. There is potential for other trail users to find horses intimidating, and horse traffic could be responsible for the spread of unwanted seeds. The trail will have a compressed gravel base which is costly to install, that horse hooves would quickly churn up resulting in a high maintenance/poor quality surface for walkers, runners and cyclists. The Alps2Ocean Trail also prohibits horses, citing similar reasons.

If not the Waimate Trail, where can I ride my horse?

We recommend that you work with your own horse community. There may be horse-friendly landowners willing to work with your group to create a trail. Horses don't need graded trails or compressed gravel like cyclists do so the creation of a horse trail could be a simple project for your community. Paper roads are also an option, there are plenty in Waimate which could be linked to create a trail. You could set up a committee and/or trust and apply for funding with that entity.