The organisers of the 4x4 Urewera Safari are very disappointed to have to cancel the programmed 2014 event planned for early February around Waitangi weekend.
New legislation under the Adventure Activities Regulations comes into effect on February 1 2014 and may require the event to be registered and have a safety audit.
A great deal of time has already gone into planning the 2014 event so it is disappointing for those involved that it cannot proceed, including Mahia Hunt members, East Coast Four Wheel Drive members, catering teams (schools and Marae) and land owners.
The East Coast 4x4 Club has been advised by its national body, New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association, to withdraw its support until it meets the new rules, and without the NZFWDA support and the time frame to register and be audited the club had no choice but to cancel.
It has looked at the guidelines for Adventure Activities Regulations and is not able to get a clear picture as to whether school and club fundraising activities stand inside or outside the regulations.
The club has contacted both the ministry (MBIE) and the only approved organisation which can carry out an audit. From this it has not been able to get a definitive ruling as to where it stands under the regulations.
There will be a number of other fund raising activities carried out which will find themselves in the same boat. East Coast 4x4 Club is looking to work through this with a couple of other fundraising treks we know of to get a clear outcome as to where we all stand under the new regulations.
Says the club’s Mark Harris: “I would like to thank all those who have already put a lot of time and effort into preparations over the last four months for what would have been another really good event. Also a big thanks to you who have or were going to register for the event, it is extremely disappointing to have to cancel.
“But it was felt that if we went for a ruling on the legislation and it was slow in being made and came back that we had to cancel, it would have been unfair on you, the participants, to get late notice to change your plans and alter leave that has been applied for.
“We will be giving a full refund of all deposits and Janice Redshaw will let you know how this is best done e.g. return uncashed cheques, direct refund to bank account etc.
“For those entrants who have had their money processed could you please let me know your bank details and we will have the money credited back to your account. Could you please email your details to janredshaw@xtra.co.nz”
