AGM Field Trip: Erua Mill & Cuff Road Loop Track

Saturday, 22 November 2025

Our first AGM field trip took place on a beautiful, sunny day. The clear weather set the scene for a relaxed day of exploration, conversation, and discovery.

The group met at the Cuff Road barrier and set off anti-clockwise on a loop walk, taking in the West Branch before returning along Cuff Road. Along the way, there was plenty of time for discussion and reflection, with the landscape itself prompting stories of how this area has been shaped by both industry and nature.

Trip leaders Murray Wilson and Karen Grimwade generously shared their knowledge throughout the walk, guiding us along sections of the historic Marton Sash & Door Company tramway. Now part of a cycle and walking trail, the route still holds clear traces of its industrial past, including remnants of the tramline, skid sites, bridge remains, and cuttings through native bush.

After walking part of the tramway, the group stopped for lunch before exploring the Erua mill site. Tucked quietly into the surrounding vegetation, the remains of the Marton Sash & Door Company sawmill offer a powerful glimpse into the scale and complexity of the operation that once stood here. Murray and Karen spoke about the surviving features of the site and Project Tongariro’s work to interpret and preserve these remnants, helping to tell the story of the area’s industrial heritage and its gradual return to nature.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this field trip, and especially to Murray and Karen for leading the day and sharing their insight so generously.