Summary and Review of the 2010 Event

The ECHO Walking Festival is a not-for-profit event held in the Kaimai and Coromandel, supported by Sport Waikato, Department of Conservation, Waikato District Health Board,
Katch Katitaki, Positive Paeroa, Go Waihi and Waihi Sport N Action.

Twenty-one walks were planned and promoted for the seventh annual festival in the Kaimai and Coromandel Ranges, to be led by volunteer guides during April.

Event objectives

1. To enable local residents to take part in walks in their local parks and reserves
2. To highlight the benefits of regular exercise
3. To increase awareness and use of local parks and reserves
4. Attract visitors to region/area

Target market

  • Families living in the five key sites
  • Current walkers, including walking and tramping clubs seeking new experiences
  • Visitors from outside the five key sites
  • New users

Performance measures

  • All scheduled walks are completed safely
  • 95% of participants surveyed are satisfied with the event (i.e would attend another echo event or recommend it to friends or family)

Promotions

  • Upgraded website
  • 10,000 brochures
  • Feature article and brochures in NZ Walking Magazine
  • 10 banners
  • Media coverage in local papers

Community support

Main Sponsors:

  • Hauraki District Council
  • Matamata-Piako District Council
  • Thames-Coromandel District Council

Other Sponsors:

  • Department of Conservation
  • Eastern Waikato Road Safety
  • Tourism Coromandel

Prizes were donated by the following businesses:

  • Poets Corner Lodge (Accommodation)
  • Aroha Mountain Lodge (Accommodation)
  • DOC (Pinnacles Hut Accommodation)
  • Katikati Bird Gardens(Accommodation)
  • Golden Owl Backp’kers (Accommodation)
  • Talisman Café (Meal Voucher)
  • Tongiaro Kiwi Retreat (Accommodation)
  • Whiritoa Bach (Accommodation)

Donations from walkers totalled $538.80

Event results

  • 660 walkers
  • 20 of the 21 walks completed safely
  • Seven feature walks including ‘something extra’, a boat trip, a train ride, the launch of a new track and a film screening
  • 100% surveyed rated good, very good or excellent
  • 55% participants were first time ECHO walkers
  • 49% came from outside the participating centres