On a lovely spring afternoon the 3 rd November 2025, David and I took a ride on the quad up the dam track starting about 1. 40 pm to check the condition of the track after recent heavy rainfall.  We found a fall of large rocks and vegetation about 500 m from Otaki Gorge Road so parked up the quad and proceeded on foot after cutting back branches covering the area.  We clambered over the rocks, took photos and continued towards the dam.  There were other trees we needed to clear off the track and when we came to the dam area I ( Kathleen) stopped to take a photo of the waterfall with David proceeding ahead.
That's when life changed dramatically as i heard a cry ? a goat only to get to the summit of the last slip to find the rope dislodged and the hat and tool David was carrying discarded on the side.  I quickly made my way to the dam calling his name, no sign of him and went back to the area where the tool lay and activated the PLB thinking this will bring help to find him.  As I waited I moved about 5 mitres to look down into the bush below, above the stream flowing below the spillway. There was no sign except what looked like a log from my height.  I used my cellphone camera to enlarge what I saw and it looked like a leg, then something moved. I tried calling out to David but he couldn't hear me because of the distance and flowing water below him.  Of course my biggest concern was injury or death.  David moved, even trying to stand at one stage holding onto a small tree but fell down and lay quietly until the first responder, Sean arrived about 2 hours later.  We discussed could we reach him from the top track with rope or not... It had been a long wait, a time to pray in tongues as I could do nothing but pray and checking to see if the PLB was still working. 
He decided to go down the side track that had been recently cleared, wade through the river to get to David who had a messy head wound but talked to him.  He lay on rocks at the bottom, 2-3 m from the water, concious after falling although later he didn't remember falling or the previous 100 m of walking to the area. 
So with waiting, praying in tongues, waiting wondering what I would do if noone appeared by 7pm, I had activated the PLB about 3. 30 pm.  Subsequently I found out that the signal stopped after 1 hour, the search and rescue people contacted Sean who was working in Paraparaumu, he stopped for something to eat before heading up the gorge  to arrive at our gateway the same time as Sam and Michael, 2 local policemen sent to check if it was a false alarm.  There was no gps or other way to tell where the PLB was as it gave a 9 km radius.  The police radios didn't work so when it was found that David needed SARs help Michael came back to the house to arrange for them and a helicopter having found a door to the house open he used on of our phones as his didn't work without wifi....none of their usual equipment worked...if he hadn't found our phone he would have had to head back into coverage down gorge road. 
Many miracles... I was at peace, David had head injuries with needing his scalp sutured, only a cracked undisplaced sternum fracture with some grazing which surprised the rescuers after the distance he fell. So by God's grace we were saved, David being hoisted out with the help of a paramedic into the Wellington Rescue Helicopter and flown to Wellington Hospital.  We had some miracles really.....the finding of us by Sean, the door of house open with the phone available, the so few injuries for David, SARs volunteers and police, helicopter and that the PLB worked as it hadn't been serviced when due in 2023. The help came before dark, although it was getting dark by the time I walked home with Sean and Michael., riding the quad for the last 1 km.  
A meal was provided by Sean before we headed to Wellington A and E to find Daniel had come to be with David and I arrived when the doctor was cleaning his head wound before suturing.  This was a very painful proceedure but he had warmed up, chatty and alert.  He was kept in the observation ward overnight before being admitted into the cardio-,thorasic ward for 2 more nights due to the head injury and possible chest injury from the broken sternum.  I arrived to stay in Kilbirnie at 1 am with a friend. .. and so the next few days progressed.  I found the time of the suturing was most difficult for me, having to be seated and feeing light headed. ... it was 8 hours without talking with David so it was good to see him alive and talking. 
Plans for the safety of the area... a new rope with stronger attachments into the rocks across the whole slip area, a new PLB, information added to the Farm IQ site after a hazard report. 

"When the weekend of rain came, a washout occurred but that is now being repaired with railway irons, drilling into the hillside and then when settled the work will be finished. So road closure has happened again but with us still being able to drive past the site of works ourside working hours.  This is great. 
The Big Bang event happened on Saturday with teams competing with biking, running, and a river event using inner tubes from entering the river below our house. We enjoyed this activity as the sounds and sights of compeditors keep happening for about an hour. We took our thermette and had a picnic lunch as they hurried by and splash off they went to the next check point.  It was worth being present for this happening again in the Forks area. Search and Rescue crew used our quad and trailer to carry radio equipment into the Forks.  
Its still cool...waiting for those sunny days... mind you some things seem to grow well, the lawn and buttercup, the orchids still flower at their usual time and the birds a nesting again.  It is time to prepare the garden for the main crops even if planting is delayed until the ground is warmer.
 "I will keep the Lord always  before me, with him at my right hand, I will never be shaken "
Psalm 16 verse 8, was my thought for this weekend. 

Have you heard of forest bathing or tree hugging?  All my time in the forest doing pest control has more that just the benefit of removing rats and stoats but it's for my mental health I say.. walking through the trees, enjoying the smell of the forest area, being in the green enviroment as I get exercise with a purpose.  Our place offers many quiet spaces,  walking tracks and more with the river close by. 
The corebys or spider orchids are flowering at present so these the added attraction of seeing a unique flower so small and fragile with the 4 leg like appendages from it, sitting on top of a flat leaf. 
Then there's the clematis plants with their open faced flowers appearing on tree tops or sometimes among the bracken ferns bringing a brilliant white feature to the bush.
Birds are about the house, bellbird, tui, chaffinch, sparrow, tomtit and grey warbler with the occasional piwakawaka/fantail flitting about.  What a delight to stand outside.  Occasionally overhead fly the Canadian geese or paradise ducks ...a canopy of sound about us. 
A place of rest and refreshing. You are welcome to come .
The Dam track is accessible but permission is required using the Safevisitapp-TheGate to learn of hazards as we fulfill our requirement for the Health and Safety for our property. 
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. After 4 years and 9 months of walking only access with the underslip on the river side of the road of September 2020 and the 60 m wide overslip of December 2021, we have had the road restored Our life has been made easier.  No longer the 2 locked gates to open and shut then the 500 m walk with back packs over the overslip.
This has been a test of faith and patience, some would say resiliance with us living here in the house during those years except for the last 5 months while the contractors removed the fallen material and reinstating the road.  So vehicle access is restored. 
We have been driving back for about 8 weeks now, returning to prune fruit trees and have maintanence done that we couldn't achieve with the road closed. 
We are willing to have guests although it is still cold here, there are often warm, fine days.
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We are asking for $ 70 per night for accommodatin with food costs extra, with the possibility of assistance around the property for an hour a day to reduce this. 

I trust you are ready and able to make the journey to the dam or up to the forest edge along Kathy's Way because with the sun shining and the warm air it's very inviting to be in the outdoors.
I realise that work goes on here with the thought of a new development at the top of the ridge above the house where pines were felled  3 years ago so it's time of a shelter there, a bucket toilet and a water supply for an overnight stay in a tent.  We will need to improve the track through the bush but there is access up the ridge.... so come and help us get the site prepared if you dare to climb, and climb up the steep track... views are amazing. 
We would love to assist you in understanding the forest.. point out flowering orchids and trees and of course tell the history of the place we live. 

After discussions with our insurance provider and others in the Government Business support who then transferred me to a Health and Safety advisor we have decided that the best option for walkers for payment is to ask for a donation for the track maintanence that is payable to The Deborah Charitable Trust by cash or online banking.

There is already a box at the entrance so please use this or take note of the bank details found in the box
If you wish to take a guided tour option for 3 hours approximately with  or without refreshments we are willing to do this, also for a donation.

Our request is that your read and acknowledge the safety signs and sign in your name and other relevant details for the day.

Please phone, email  or txt us for permission for freedom walking as we can update you on the condition of the track or others using it on the day.

What a privilege to go for 2 nights, part of my birthday celebration, to be in such a wonderful environment of restoration of vegetation and see the numbers of birds around the lodge and bush, including the small spotted kiwi on 2 nights after dark. 

That gives me motivation to keep up with pest control. Trapping for stoats and baiting for rats.  It was good to see the muzzled dogs checking to see if any rats are on the island, there were none on this visit.

It was an interesting find for me on the top track to the lookout... some corybas / spider orchids / in flower.  Robins, korero, small spotted kiwi, kaka, piwakawaka, tui, saddlebacks, takahe, pukeko and the sea birds were there to see.

Rain over 3 days, over 150 ml meant water tables need checking and possible slipping on the dam track so a long walk with a friend meant that water is now draining away as I used a grubber to clean out the water tables.  It was worth the visit with the sounds of rushing water all around us, puddles to splash in and the joy of reaching the dam, our destination.

We  have been spending the Heritage Fund grant from KCDC we are with new signage including ones for safety and Charlie Arcus and the Corrigan Homestead sign. These last 2 from the BannerExpress company in Auckland.  It is important to join with others increasing the area covered with new bait stations and traps with the effort being made by us here, hopefully with help from volunteers.  It is an ongoing journey in conversation with DOC representatives I talked with at the Fielddays at Mystery Creek.  There are new types of traps being developed as seen at the No 8 Wire innovation section of the field day.