Brought to life by community fundraising, the original City-to-Surf Walkway will have its moment in the spotlight with a brand-new commemorative sign and ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday, November 7 at 5.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to join the celebration, meet some of the people behind the original project, and share in the memories. Organisers are especially keen to see those who paid for an inscription in the original walkway.
Local legend Kate Hayward helped activate the community when Waikato District Council funding wasn’t available for the project. With plenty of hard mahi, Muriel (Tari) Collins’ famous loaves of bread, and the collective spirit of Whāingaroa, a path was laid in 1993 featuring nearly 300 community-funded inscriptions.
“We’d love to see as many of the original supporters and fundraisers as possible join us,” says Kate. “This project was truly a community effort, and it’s a wonderful chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate what we achieved together.”
In 2023, the Waikato District Council replaced the old path with a new, fit-for-purpose walkway, now renamed Te Ara ki Tai – Pathway to the Sea. While the original inscriptions were sadly lost, the new sign ensures the legacy of the City-to-Surf Walkway and the community spirit behind it will be remembered for years to come.
| 1993 City-to-Surf Walkway Inscriptions |
| Whanau groups are listed together at the top. |
| Thereafter. inscriptions are alphabetical |
| Colin Park born 1943 |
| Christine Park born 1947 |
| Michael Park born 1967 |
| Darren Park born 1970 |
| Joe-Anne Park born 1972 |
| Allen & Kay Stephenson |
| Barry & Robyn Stephenson |
| Carl Stephenson |
| David Stephenson |
| Justine Stephenson |
| Kim Stephenson |
| Kristen Stephenson |
| Lianne Stephenson |
| Noel Stephenson |
| Vicki Stephenson |
| The Blithe Family |
| Gary Blithe |
| Julia Blithe |
| Pauline Blithe |
| Moireen & Brett Cameron |
| B.E. Cameron |
| K. H. Cameron |
| O.J. Cameron |
| D C. Hartstone |
| Lewis & Carol Hartstone |
| Hartstone Quarries – Walkway Patron |
| Paul & Joan Havemann |
| Chris Havemann |
| Jane Havemann |
| Leo Havemann |
| Rick&Kate HPL CFH Hayward |
| Pat & Lucy Donnelly U.S.A. |
| Pip & Patricia Lavers – G.B. |
| Sybil M Barr – G.B. |
| Kerry & Margy Higgins |
| Triple H Motors – Higgins Family |
| Brett Howell |
| Bruce & Pat Howell |
| Johnston Family 1993 |
| Jim & Noeline Johnston |
| Frank & Pat Kaio |
| Jayson & Greer Kaio |
| Lee & Joshua Kaio |
| Maurice Kaio |
| Owen & Joseph Law |
| Daphne Law |
| Rosina Law |
| Violet Law |
| Aubrey James Joy |
| Danielle Jane Marsh |
| Russell James Wm Marsh |
| Nev & Joyce Meekings Family |
| P & L & K & J & C Meekings |
| Archie Peart |
| Eleanor Peart |
| Erik & Dorothy Petchell |
| Barry & Gail Petchell |
| Wayne & Marilyn Petchell |
| Petchell’s Supermarket |
| Carl Robben |
| Kirsty Robben |
| Bill & Shirely Waitere |
| Hero Waitere |
| Jonathan Waitere |
| Peter & Michelle Williams Family |
| Stephen & Matthew Williams |
| Annie Woolly |
| Collins Woolly |
| 1 Day I’ll be rich & Famous D.T.F. |
| Agnes Cullen |
| Alby, Lesley, Grant Short |
| Alex Thomson |
| Alia Luke Kurt Matthew |
| Alison McPake Reef Raff |
| Aloha |
| Amos Burr Descendents 1840 |
| Andy, Jo, David, Jareth T. |
| Anne & Richard Moltzen |
| Anne J Gifford |
| Anonymous |
| AP. SA. HA. KA. AM. CL. Waters |
| Arthur & Illa Griffiths |
| B.O. & G & R.J. Webber |
| B.R. & I.E. Rhoades |
| Backdoor Surf Shop |
| Barbara Nga-Huia Marsh |
| Barbara Wood |
| Benjamin H. Endicott-Davies |
| Beth Bergan / Ansley |
| Bill & Wendy Grant |
| Bill Phyl Shimmons Lady |
| Billy Mary Aaron Alana Navanua |
| Blake & Jessica |
| Bob & Peter Kirkwood ‘93 |
| Bow Street Motors |
| Bray Family |
| Brian Leabourn |
| Bryce + Donna = Love |
| C & C Jensen |
| C J Gibbison |
| Candy & Sanjay Kelly |
| Caroline & Bill Jenny Diane |
| Cassandra, Love Tanea |
| Catherine Jessica Vanessa M. |
| Chad & Sian |
| Chanelle Beddis 1982 |
| Chas & Irene Goodwin |
| Chauncey Cooke U.S.A. |
| Chestermans’ of Orepunga |
| Choose this day who you will serve! |
| Clarie Jackson |
| Cliff Ansley |
| Colleen & Sandra Finlay |
| Councillor Des Forges |
| Councillor Hope |
| D W Heslop Moved in 1989 |
| D&I E Coff |
| Daniel John & Jessica Rose |
| Delanie Max |
| Dene George |
| Diane & Robyn |
| Doris Parsons 1910 |
| Eileen & Cecil Best Mum & Dad |
| Elsie & Bill Walters |
| Esther Yael, Elly & Beni |
| Ethan, Bill Battersby |
| Ex Royal Navalmen Assoc. |
| F & A Kirby Heather & Natasha |
| Frank Crawford Saddler |
| Frank, Marg, Lisa, Claire, Fisher |
| Gilbert Waretini |
| Gillian Marie |
| Gloria & Bill Aldridge |
| God is Real! A.L.C. |
| God’s Love is Everlasting |
| Greg Lind |
| Hales Family (Nee Bray) |
| Hamilton Beach’s |
| Harry George |
| Harvey & Pam McGrail |
| Helen Loepfe |
| Hong Kong Kitchen |
| Hoppy & Julie U.S.A. |
| Hugh & Noeline Bickley |
| I praise you! Psalm 139:14 |
| Ian Leask |
| In memory of Cyril Malby |
| In memory of Ena Murray |
| In Memory of Harry & Dorrie Hart |
| J C Milne |
| Ja Luv Foreva |
| Jack & Pat Pounds |
| Jane & James Ritchie |
| Jane Tucker |
| Jasmin Dominique Marcus |
| Jean & Digger Healey |
| Jed, Sean & Joel |
| Jesus Died for You |
| Jesus is coming soon |
| Jesus Said: I am the Way |
| JO IT EL CO KA IN JO RO PA MI |
| Joe Fabish – Earthmover |
| John, Kim, Chris & Mike Ward |
| Jordan – Logan – Weston |
| Kalnins Family |
| Kyle & Jimmy Harris |
| L.I.C. Crack Accounts Team |
| Lelievre Family |
| Lena Challender Raglan |
| Life is a Beach – Ash & Anna |
| Lori Maree Gibbison |
| Luke Samuel Oliver Emily |
| LV & BM Purkis |
| Lyllian & Bruce 7 Boyd ‘93 |
| Lynda Ruth Wilson |
| M & W Leach |
| M & W Meredith |
| Mabs & Stan Bennett |
| Mac & Jean Phillips |
| Malachi & Chloe Farrant |
| Malakai Kierin Sharnae |
| Marcial A. Lopez Leiva |
| Margaret & Henk De Langen |
| Margret Thomson |
| Marsh & Ronda Waterman U.S.A. |
| Mayor Angus MacDonald |
| Michelle & Alanah Bruce |
| Mike and Billy Banks |
| Miles & Elizabeth Barker |
| Miranda Puke Fifi Chamomile |
| Moltzen Families |
| Morgan Lee Pax U.S.A. |
| Murray & Miette Smith |
| Navanua Family |
| Neil & Sue Gilshnan |
| Newton Family |
| Nga Hoko Whitu |
| Ngarino Pineahi |
| Noel & Joy Wakelin |
| Oliver Adam Edith & Alan |
| Pat & Robbie Morris 1992 |
| Pauline Tucker |
| Peter & Dawn Devine |
| Peter Rob Yjosine Tyler Barry |
| Peter, Cathryn, Jared, Arna |
| PR KC RC LR Skandera 1993 |
| Queenie & Alan King |
| R Janek |
| R&M Tucker |
| R.E. Johnson Ltd. Cartage, Ngaruawahia |
| R.I.P. School Ponies |
| Radio Rhema |
| Raglan 60 Club Members |
| Raglan Beach Motel |
| Raglan Community Arts Council |
| Raglan Fresh-Fish |
| Raglan Horticultural and Industrial Society |
| Raglan Lions Club |
| Raglan Senior Citizens Assn. |
| Raglan Surf Co. |
| Raglan Wine Shop |
| Rebecca Winstanley |
| Remember your Creator |
| Rex & Christine Munday |
| Riki Leon Doulas Knapp |
| Rikki, Sam, Alice Bell |
| Rob Lyla Clint Carolyn Cowley |
| Robert (Bob) Craig |
| Ron & Margaret Dumble |
| Rosemarie & Ernie Johnson |
| Ross Ian Lelievre 19/8/92 |
| Rowan, Emma, Jade Thorby |
| Roy Stewart Kelly |
| Seth & Anna Silcock |
| Seek the Lord while He may be found |
| Sharon S. + Brent M. |
| Shepherd’s – Albert Landers 1862 |
| Sherson Family 1992 |
| Shirley & Jim |
| Shirley Ross |
| Sommerville’s |
| Sony, Ebony, Diedre, Joe, Don |
| Stan & Myra Ward |
| Stephen & Fiona Forever |
| Steve & Phyllis Watene |
| Stoddart Family |
| Strawberry Fields Music Festival – 1993 |
| Stuart Ross |
| Subritzky Family |
| Sue Luke Linda Christopher Tracey |
| Susan, Sydney, Michael |
| Swarbrick Dixon Law Firm |
| Sylvia & Rudi Theunisz |
| T Z Bundy |
| Tahn Manu Paul Corry |
| Talo, Paul, Mila Regnier |
| Tame “Kelly” Pairama |
| Tanlaw Corp |
| Tasitha Irbine 1990 R.I.P. |
| The Doig Family |
| The Duncan Family |
| The Gibbons Family |
| The King Family |
| The Meek shall inherit the earth |
| The Rogers Family |
| The Sampson Family |
| Thelma Nelson in Levine Memory of Bill |
| Thirza & Harry Brown |
| Thora Thomson Muir |
| Timoko-Buckeridge |
| To Dad – Love Danielle |
| Todd Brenssell |
| Tom & Betty White + Family |
| Tom & Deb Wilson |
| Tom, Syb, Sean, Brett & Rhys Ellison |
| Trev & Sandra – Eternal Sweet Hearts |
| Tuatara Whanau Raggy |
| Val Rawlinson (Grandma) |
| Vinnies |
| Virtue is Wisdom |
| W. (Bill) Norton – Opotoru Rd. |
| Walk with God |
| Whaingaroa Trade Aid |
| Whanau Ben & Megan Simmonds |
| Win & Bob Douglas |
| Zac Ansley |