There’s a fascinating connection between the Mitre 10 Westport store, owned by Troy and Casey Scanlon, and the spectacular Kawatiri Coastal Trail – a new cycling and walking heritage trail that will soon connect the Buller District towns of Westport and Charleston.

In the early 1920s, the Scanlon family purchased Westport’s original hardware store (which first opened in 1896) from the Martin family. Interestingly, the Martins were the earliest permanent Pākehā settlers in the Buller District, they established the first farm in 1865, and Martins Creek suspension bridge – a key feature on the trail – is named after them.

Photo credit: Jules Anderson Photography – Martins Creek suspension bridge

Now, four generations later, the Scanlons continue to be strong local supporters of community initiatives for the West Coast community and their store has pledged $5,000 per year for the next three years in sponsorship to support the trail. This is an addition to an earlier donation of $10,000.

Troy says the opportunity to sponsor the trail, for the next three years, fits well with the store’s environmental and sustainable values. Troy added, “We’re really proud to be involved with the trail – it aligns well with our values. We’re doing a lot within our business now to be as sustainable as possible and are constantly looking for ways to improve. The trail is a great asset for locals and a draw card for visitors to come to our district.”

Photo: Kawatiri Coastal Trail’s Shayne Barry and Mitre 10 Westport’s Troy Scanlon 

The 42km Kawatiri Coastal Trail meanders through a mix of forest, wetlands and breathtaking coastal scenery. Mitre 10’s much-needed sponsorship helps fund the protection of the trail’s natural environment through planting to enhance native areas, pest control and eradication of weeds.

The Westport-Charleston Coastal Trail Trust gratefully acknowledge the support from Martins Mitre 10, a highly respected local business that contributes to many great community initiatives and projects. Martins Mitre 10 have always displayed values that put community well-being at the forefront of their decision making and the Trust is proud to recognise them as a ‘Gold Sponsor’ of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail.