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Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Susanna Reid's high street dress is perfect for the heatwave and 'would suit anyone'
Susanna Reid's high street dress is perfect for the heatwave and 'would suit anyone' Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid looked beautiful in a printed dress Susanna wore the dress with a pair of pointed nude heels (Image: Instagram/Susanna Reid ) Susanna Reid cut looked as chic as ever on Monday's Good Morning Britain, donning a striking patterned dress. The 54-year-old TV host was perfectly attired for the predicted heatwave in a gorgeous maxi-length frock from Boden. She dazzled viewers in the Ellie Flutter Maxi Tea Dress – still available to buy. While ordinarily priced at £112, shoppers can presently secure it for just £96.20 by using the promotional code: JM7D. This limited offer slashes 15% off the price of new collections. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Boasting charming flutter sleeves and a contrasting waistband, this summery garment is available in various hues. However, Susanna adorned herself with the "Kingfisher Blue, Foliage Trail" design, complete with pockets – much to the delight of customers according to their positive feedback. To finish off her ensemble for the day's presenting duties, Susanna opted for elegant nude court shoes with pointed toes and styled her hair into soft, wavy tresses adding a touch of flair to her sartorial choice, reports the Mirror. For those seeking similar styles, Roman serves up an alternative with its Tile Print Shirred Waist Maxi Dress, retailing at £48, in a range of patterns and colours catering to sizes 10 through to 20. New Look also has this lovely Pattern Print Tiered Hem Midi Dress in red or blue options, costing a mere £19.99. While reviews for the Ellie Flutter Maxi Tea Dress vary, many shoppers are loving it. One happy buyer said: "A classy and elegant dress. Such a beautiful colour, which would suit anyone." Another added: "So flattering! I got the parrot print and the pineapple pattern is so incredibly flattering. Has pockets and a light jersey material perfect for summer." Yet, not all customers were wholly satisfied, as one four-star review indicated: "Love the material, the cut, pockets. Personally I would like the V to be 2 inches higher but for someone younger it may not be an issue." The customer voiced their dilemma, noting: "Had a hard time selecting pattern and settled on the least loudest pink green tile. Wish it came in solid colours and I also hope for a long sleeve version." But another thrilled customer added: "I am in love! The jersey fabric is heavier but that's what I like about it because it doesn't feel cheap especially for the price. Love the pattern, style - pockets are a huge plus. I am 128 lbs, 5'4" and got the size 8, feel it's true to size." Article continues below For a touch of summer elegance, the Boden Ellie Flutter Maxi Tea Dress is on offer for £96.20 using the code JM7D – but this special deal is only around for a short while.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teva's Next-Gen Trail Running Sandal Is Not Only Lighter — It's Cheaper Too
The open-toed footwear pros somehow streamlined their popular off-road kicks while dropping the price. What gives? Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more The announcement of an update to or expansion of an existing popular product often elicits a mix of optimism and skepticism from those of us who track such things. The upside is the feeling of, hey, this new thing might be even better than that thing we love. Meanwhile the dark side thinking is more like, did they just slap on a fresh coat of paint and jack up the price? Thankfully the latest news from Teva appears to carry more of the former than the latter. Building on the success of its popular Aventrail Trail Running Sandal ($145), the brand has introduced two new varieties. What you get with the new sandal is one that is nearly 32 percent lighter than the original. That weight savings is borderline insane. One beefs it up into a full-on shoe for $160, which makes all the sense in the world. But I'm more excited about the other new Aventrail R2T (Road to Trail) is a leaner, meaner take on the original. And if you can even believe it, it costs $25 less. This sort of thing is honestly so uncommon, it is a bit hard to square, but I'll try. What you get with the new sandal is one that is nearly 32 percent lighter (8.15 ounces for a single Men's 9 sandal versus 11.9 ounces). For anyone who's actually trail running in these puppies, that weight savings is borderline insane. Performance-wise, the R2T offers compelling Teva tech including the brand's W Strapping System for a locked-in, supportive feel and a Spider Rubber outsole with 3.5mm lugs to rip road and grip gravel. The sandal also features neoprene mesh under the straps for comfort and breathability and a bouncy Lite-Comf midsole. So the inevitable question arises: what exactly are you losing with this stripped-down version of the sandal? Close examination points to a couple of key distinctions, one of which is that the original Aventrail features a different midsole foam. Called Hyper-Comf, it is said to blend the responsiveness of Super Critical Foams with supportive EVA, offering additional cushioning on downhill descents. More importantly, however, this sandal packs a nylon plate, low-level super shoe tech that provides a more propulsive ride and strong uphill acceleration. A-ha! These elements, especially the latter, help explain both the weight discrepancy and why the recommended uses for the two sandals differ. The original's are: Fast Hikes, Outdoor adventures, Trail Run. The R2T's are: Everyday Running, Light Trail Running. So the original can tackle more aggressive terrain, whereas the sleeker R2T, as its name suggests, straddles the line between road and trail. It's almost like a mountain bike versus a gravel bike, maybe. Bottom line: while it's not the best serious trail option, this new family member appears perfect for a Sunday (on- and off-road) drive. The Teva Aventrail R2T is available now in two colorways each for women and men for $120. $120 at Teva Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men's Health, Men's Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone's bike seat is at the proper height.
Politico
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Why the U.S. government is touting tourism in Afghanistan
Presented by Housing For US HAPPY TRAILS — If you haven't made summer plans yet, here's an idea: Have you considered Afghanistan? The State Department strongly advises against travel for Americans but the Department of Homeland Security has determined that conditions are on the upswing in the perennially war-torn country — and that even tourism is starting to come back. 'Tourists are sharing their experiences on social media, highlighting the peaceful countryside, welcoming locals, and the cultural heritage, according to some reports,' DHS said. The rosy observation appears in a recent DHS notification in the Federal Register, announcing the revocation of Temporary Protected Status for about 12,000 Afghans who have taken refuge in the U.S., part of the Trump administration's larger effort to dismantle refugee programs and remove non-citizens from the country. In a finding that has confounded experts and advocates, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined that there have been 'notable improvements' in the security and economy of Afghanistan such that refugees would not be in imminent danger upon their return. Afghanistan used to be a popular draw for foreign backpackers, part of the famed 'Hippy Trail.' That ended with the Soviet invasion in 1979, which ushered in nearly 40 years of conflict. By some measures, the country is indeed experiencing a period of relative calm compared to more recent years. That's because the U.S. is no longer at war with the Taliban thanks to a peace deal signed during President Donald Trump's first term and a chaotic American withdrawal completed under President Joe Biden. The White House still has a hostile view of the Taliban government, including Afghanistan on a list of 19 countries whose citizens are now banned or restricted from entering the U.S. under an executive order that took effect Monday. But in the federal register, DHS notes that attacks involving improvised explosive devices have declined by 72 percent over the past year; the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has fallen to 23.7 million, down from 29 million a year earlier; and GDP rose 2.7 percent. DHS notes approvingly that tourism has increased a whopping 913 percent, reportedly with the encouragement of the ultraconservative Taliban, since the U.S. withdrawal – with about 7,000 people, primarily from China, visiting Afghanistan in 2023. DHS, however, seems to have been selective with its statistics. In the footnotes of its Federal Register notice, the agency three times cites a report from last year by the United States Institute of Peace – an independent organization that the Trump administration and DOGE moved to shut down (a judge has halted the effort but the organization still faces an uncertain future). USIP's report on the state of the country three years into Taliban rule is much less sanguine, concluding that Afghanistan has 'only a façade of domestic stability' and that humanitarian and human rights conditions are 'dire.' Since taking power, the Taliban has issued over 100 decrees restricting the rights of women and girls to education, employment, healthcare and mobility — even declaring that female voices cannot be heard outside the home, according to USIP. Hundreds of men and women have been subjected to public floggings. Authorities have carried out disappearances and extrajudicial killings. In any case, the report was not produced to make a case, one way or the other, for Afghan TPS, said Scott Worden, USIP's director of Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs. 'It's validating to see the US government crediting the quality of USIP's research enough to cite it in an important administrative determination,' Worden said. 'However, the information that is cited in the USIP report does not speak to the specific risks that Afghans who have received TPS face if they go back to a Taliban-run Afghanistan.' The fact that Chinese tourists find the country safe, he said, is not really relevant since their government supported the Taliban. 'That is a totally different circumstance from an Afghan who helped America, who worked closely with Americans will face if they return to Taliban rule and will be subject to persecution or even worse.' As for American tourists, it may be best to stick with the State Department advisory, which flatly recommends 'do not travel.' Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@ Or contact tonight's author at bfox@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @ben_foxed. What'd I Miss? — California asks judge to 'immediately' block military from joining ICE raids: Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking a federal judge for a restraining order that blocks Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from ordering National Guard troops and Marines to support immigration raids in Los Angeles. 'They must be stopped, immediately,' attorneys for the state wrote in a filing today. The request, submitted around 11 a.m. local time today, urged U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer to act within two hours. The urgent plea came as Newsom and other California officials continued to assail Trump's order to 'federalize' 4,000 members of the state's National Guard for a mission to protect federal immigration facilities and personnel amid street protests. The state sued Monday to block that effort as well as Hegseth's subsequent deployment of 700 Marines to assist the National Guard effort. The restraining order request, however, is focused explicitly on a growing expectation among California officials that those troops will soon be sent on arrest missions alongside agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement — raising the likelihood of direct confrontations with L.A. residents. — Troops deployed to LA will cost $134M, Pentagon official says: President Donald Trump's decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles amid mass deportation protests will likely cost $134 million, the Pentagon's budget chief told lawmakers. Acting Pentagon comptroller Bryn MacDonnell, testifying at a House budget hearing today alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said the estimate covers costs such as travel, housing and food. — Trump administration weighs pulling education grants for California: The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funds to California, according to people familiar with the administration's thinking. The discussion comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump feud over the president's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles to stop immigration protests. A Trump administration employee, who was not permitted to speak publicly about the administration's plans, told POLITICO the Education Department may stop the disbursement of 'formula funds,' which are awards based on a predetermined formula created by Congress. The administration has not yet reached a final decision, according to a separate person familiar with the discussions. But there is some uncertainty over the department's ability to pull funding that is not directly connected to California's state department of education. — Trump: Protests in DC will be met with 'very heavy force': President Donald Trump warned that any protests during this weekend's major military parade in Washington will be met with 'very heavy force.' 'If there's any protester who wants to come out, they will be met with very big force,' the president said today during an impromptu Oval Office press conference. 'I haven't even heard about a protest, but [there are] people that hate our country.' The comments come as the White House and Washington law enforcement officials are preparing for a military parade on Saturday, which coincides with the Army's 250th — and Trump's 79th — birthday. — Former Biden aides agree to testify on his mental acuity to House Oversight: Four senior Biden White House aides agreed to testify to the House Oversight Committee as part of its probe into former President Joe Biden's ailing health while in office, according to a committee aide. Chair James Comer had requested the aides' cooperation with his investigation in May, amid renewed scrutiny in Washington of the former president's mental acuity. Last week, the Kentucky Republican sent a subpoena to Biden's physician Kevin O'Connor, calling him to appear on June 27 after O'Connor rejected Comer's invitation to testify. Even after Biden largely retreated from public view, congressional Republicans have focused extensively on concerns around the octogenarian former president's health. The Senate will hold a hearing on the matter next week. AROUND THE WORLD BRITISH SANCTIONS — Britain will formally sanction two far-right Israeli ministers for their comments over Gaza, the U.K. confirmed today. The assets of Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be frozen and the pair will also face travel bans, the Times first reported. No financial institutions will be allowed to deal with them. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the ministers had 'incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.' He added: 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now — to hold those responsible to account.' In response, Israel said: 'It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the Cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called the 'unacceptable decision.' While the U.S. has continued to stand resolutely behind Israel as it wages war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, other longtime allies — including the EU, Britain and Canada — have grown increasingly critical of Israel and its military tactics. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have consistently been the most hard-line ministers in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and are crucial allies keeping him in power. 'A DANGER TO US ALL' — The European Commission announced today its latest salvo of sanctions on Russia, taking aim at the Kremlin's energy exports, infrastructure and financial institutions. The measures, which are intended to pile pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, include proposals to lower the oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel and ban the use of the Nord Stream pipelines to funnel gas between Russia and Germany. A further 22 Russian banks will also be cut off from the SWIFT international banking system, with the current, partial prohibition on Russian financial institutions broadened to a 'full transaction ban,' Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Calling the sanctions 'robust' and 'hard-biting,' von der Leyen said the Russian economy was already buckling under the pressure of the EU's past measures and the new package would pummel it further. 'Russia continues to bring death and destruction to Ukraine,' she said at a joint press conference with the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas. 'Our message is clear: This war must end.' Kallas said it was 'clear that Russia does not want peace' and needed to pay the price for its 'outright illegal' war. 'Russia is cruel, aggressive and a danger to us all,' she added. Nightly Number RADAR SWEEP SPEED WINS — New research suggests that the speed at which you walk can reveal how your brain is functioning. And a precipitous decline in walking speed can predict other underlying health problems. It's normal to slow down your walking pace as you age. But people who can keep up a quick pace into their later years are more likely to have a brain that's functioning like that of a younger person than those whose average gait is much slower. The research can even predict survival — a study showed that men with the slowest walking speeds at age 75 had a 19% chance of living for 10 years, compared to men with the fastest walking speeds who had an 87% chance of survival. Jasmin Fox-Skelly reports for the BBC. Parting Image Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here.
Globe and Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Americas Gold and Silver Announces Transformational US$100 Million Debt Financing and Secures Multi-Metal Offtake Agreement for Galena Concentrates
Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (TSX: USA) (NYSE American: USAS) ('Americas' or the 'Company'), a growing North American precious metals producer, is pleased to announce that it has arranged a US$100 million of senior secured debt facility ("Term Loan Facility') to be provided by a third party to be used primarily to fund growth and development capital spending at the Galena Complex. The US$100 million Term Loan Facility consists of three tranches: a term loan with proceeds of US$50 million that will be advanced at closing, and two additional tranches of US$25 million. Americas is also pleased to announce it has entered into an offtake agreement (the 'Offtake Agreement') with Ocean Partners USA Inc. ('Ocean Partners') for treatment of up to 100% of the concentrates from the Company's Galena Complex at Teck Resources Limited's ('Teck') Trail Operations in Trail British Columbia, one of the world's largest fully-integrated zinc, lead and critical metals complexes. As a condition to closing the Term Loan Facility and in conjunction with the Offtake Agreement, Ocean Partners will subscribe for 16.8 million common shares in the Company at C$0.95 per common share, representing a premium of approximately 14% to the USA 20-day VWAP for gross proceeds of US$11.5 million (the 'Private Placement'). Paul Andre Huet, Chairman and CEO, commented: 'Today's announcement represents a major milestone for Americas Gold and Silver shareholders. The culmination of months of work, the $100 million in non-dilutive debt financing will allow us to both aggressively pursue our capital development spending at the Galena Complex and further strengthen our balance sheet. The debt financing is critical to our major growth plans at Galena which include the reintroduction of Long Hole Stoping and associated underground development, continued major equipment purchases and upgrades to the No. 3 shaft. The projects to be executed are driven by the results of our materials handling trade off studies completed over the course of the year to date, all focused on boosting productivity underground and efficiency in our hoisting schedules. Alongside our lender, we carefully structured the Term Loan Facility into three tranches to match the pace of our capital plans over the growth period. Regarding our future offtake strategy, I am very pleased to have closed a strong agreement at very competitive terms with Ocean Partners for treatment of up to 100% the precious and base metals concentrate produced from our Galena Complex at Teck's Trail Operations. The Agreement reinforces a robust strategic relationship to recover a wide variety of metals from the polymetallic concentrates produced at our operations at a world class facility in close geographic proximity to our operations. Guaranteeing processing capacity at a nearby smelter is critical as the Company executes its plans to significantly increase silver and by-product metal production over the next several years. We are also very encouraged that as part of the Agreement, Ocean Partners have elected to satisfy the Term Loan Facility pre-financing condition via an US$11.5 million equity investment into Americas at a significant 14% premium to our share price. This investment by Ocean Partners is a testament to their confidence in our growth initiatives and further aligns us in our overarching corporate objective of building shareholder value. The proceeds of the equity investment will be used immediately to continue the strong momentum of our impactful work underway at Galena. Overall, our growth strategy is firmly on track with a robust balance sheet and available cash to underpin the capital investment required to unlock the full potential of the Galena Complex. Our first 150 days at the helm of Americas has identified some quick wins and is delivering several outstanding productivity improvements already - we look forward to continuing this momentum with the investment made by Ocean Partners and the Term Loan provided by the third party.' Brent Omland, CEO of Ocean Partners commented: 'We are very pleased to continue our strong partnership with Americas and Teck's Trail Operations and to facilitate the delivery of Galena Complex concentrates to what we view as the optimal receiver. We are extremely impressed by the focus and diligence of Paul and his Americas team and we are very excited to participate in the value creation from the expansion and optimization of operations at the Galena Complex over the coming months and years.' Ian Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of Teck commented: 'This arrangement will help strengthen North America's critical minerals supply chain by securing high-quality ore concentrate feed for Teck's Trail Operations from Idaho's Silver Valley'. Term Loan Facility The Term Loan Facility consists of: A term loan with proceeds of US$50 million to be advanced at closing. The loan will be subject to an interest rate of SOFR (4% floor) plus 6% and will mature 60 months following the closing date. Principal will amortize over the term of the loan, with principal repayments commencing one year after the closing date and payable quarterly thereafter. Two additional US$25 million tranches that will be available to AGS upon the achievement of certain conditions precedent. The first such tranche will be subject to an interest rate of SOFR (4% floor) plus 6% after funding. The second tranche will be subject to an interest rate of SOFR (4% floor) plus 4% after funding. Principal will amortize over the term of the loan with principal repayments commencing one year after the closing date and payable quarterly thereafter. The lender will hold senior security over all the Company's assets and undertakings other than those relating to Americas Cosalá Operations located in Sinaloa, Mexico and its Relief Canyon Project located in Nevada USA, which are secured in priority to the lender by Trafigura and Sandstorm, respectively for the duration of those agreements. The Term Loan Facility is subject to an agreed OID and other fees that are customary for a facility of this nature. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, with funding of the US$50 million of term loan proceeds expected to occur during the month of June. Private Placement As part of the Agreement, Ocean Partners has agreed to acquire 16.8 million common shares of Americas at a price of C$0.95 per share on a non-brokered private placement (the 'Private Placement') basis for a total consideration of US$11.5 million (C$15.8 million). The Private Placement is expected to close on or about June 4, 2025 and is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American Exchange. About Americas Gold and Silver Corporation Americas Gold and Silver is a growing precious metals mining company with multiple assets in North America. The Company owns and operates the Cosalá Operations in Sinaloa, Mexico. In December 2024, the Company acquired 100% ownership in the Galena Complex (located in Idaho, USA) in a transaction with Sprott and a Paul Huet-led management team, further strengthening its position as a leading silver producer. Sprott is now the largest shareholder in the company, holding a ~20% interest. With these strategically positioned assets, Americas Gold and Silver is focused on becoming one of the top North American silver-focused producers with an objective of over 80% of its revenue generated from silver by the end of 2025. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Americas' expectations, intentions, plans, assumptions, and beliefs with respect to, among other things, the potential to complete any or all of the applicable financings referenced in this release in the manner described including the Term Loan Facility on its terms, and are subject to the risks and uncertainties outlined below. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'goal,' 'plan,' 'intend,' 'potential,' 'estimate,' 'may,' 'assume,' and 'will' or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Americas as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Americas to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information; unfavorable exploration results; inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development, or production; general economic conditions and conditions affecting the mining industry; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; potential litigation; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices; the ability to obtain necessary future financing on acceptable terms or at all; risks associated with the mining industry generally, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, and energy prices), ground conditions, failure of plant, equipment, processes, and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration and production activities, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital expenditures, reclamation activities, labor relations; and risks related to changing global economic conditions and market volatility. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from this forward-looking information is available in Americas' filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators on SEDAR+ and with the SEC. Americas does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events, or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. Americas does not give any assurance (1) that Americas will achieve its expectations, or (2) concerning the result or timing thereof. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information concerning Americas are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Scoop
Te Hangāruru Cycle Trail: Key Section In Mountains To Sea Ride Opens In June
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter Iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuirua is working with the Ruapehu District Council and other stakeholders in the central North Island to build the trail connecting Waimarino (formerly National Park village) to Horopito, and eventually to Pkk. Trail builders are three weeks away from opening the newest section of the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride cycle trail. When complete, the 29.4km Te Hangāruru Cycle Trail will deliver the infamous 'missing link' in a multi-day adventure ride, starting on the volcanic slopes of Mt Ruapehu and ending at the Tasman Sea in Whanganui. Iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua is working with the Ruapehu District Council and other stakeholders in the central North Island to build the trail connecting Waimarino (formerly National Park village) to Horopito, and eventually to Pōkākā. Trail manager Lynley Twyman said construction of this section began in October 2023 and was being built in stages as funding came in. Te Hangāruru will feature boardwalks, 17 bridges and four suspension bridges over a track through subalpine landscape, including podocarp forests. The country's longest suspension bridge, stretching 200 meters across the Makatote River, will be built in a later stage of the project. Earlier this month, teams from Midwest Helicopters, Abseil Access and Impel 2010 installed a 30m suspension bridge over the Mangaturuturu River, and trail builders are working now on completing the approaches. Another 99m suspension bridge will be built over the Manganui-o-te-Ao in the next phase of works, and an underpass under the Main Trunk Line, just north of Pōkākā, is under construction. 'Once complete, this trail will be another jewel for the Ruapehu community and an unforgettable ride or walk for adventurers across Aotearoa,' Twyman said. Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust, which oversees the trail, is seeking final funding for the last phases of the trail. 'But we're building everything we can now, with the resources we have,' Twyman said. The Trust is chaired by Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe. Members include Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton, Tūpoho iwi representative Chris Kumeroa, Ngāti Rangi's Ngā Waihua o Paerangi pouārahi Helen Leahy, Te Korowai o Wainuiārua chair Aiden Gilbert, Whanganui Māori tourism representative Hayden Potaka, and Whanganui District Council representative Rory Smith. The completed Mountains to Sea trail will offer more than 320km of connected trails, including stretches through two national parks and alongside the Whanganui River. It will become one of the 23 Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Ngā Haerenga. The first 9km of Te Hangāruru – 'a fabulous piece of track' – will open on June 19. The Trust is calling for community volunteers to pitch in from 10am on Sunday, 1 June, to plant 800 locally sourced native trees and shrubs around the Horopito trail head, opposite Horopito Motors (also known as Smash Palace). The planting is part of a rehabilitation project for land that was returned to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua by the Crown earlier this month under treaty settlement. 'It was covered in rubbish and pest plants like gorse, broom and blackberry. It has been cleaned up with care – now it's our turn to give back,' Twyman said. 'This planting is all about rehabilitating the whenua, making sure we're contributing back to the environment and our people. 'The community keeps asking how they can help – this is how. Bring your spade, scissors, boots and lunch, and get stuck in.' Twyman said Te Hangāruru gives riders a front-row seat to 'seriously stunning central plateau scenery'. 'You'll cruise through native forest, alongside relics from early timber milling days, and beautiful farmland.' Towering above the landscape is Hauhungatahi, at 1521 meters one of New Zealand's tallest volcanoes. 'What makes it truly unique is that it's built atop an upfaulted block of ancient mesozoic marine sediment – rock that once sat on the seafloor,' Twyman said. 'The lava that formed Hauhungatahi erupted around 900,000 years ago, making it more than three times as old as Mt Ruapehu.' The completed trail will feature an 18km section of the historic Marton Sash and Door tramway route, built in the 1920s for locomotives to take logs from Waimarino and Ngātokoerua to the town of Marton, south of the plateau.
