About us.
Make Tracks is a specialist track building business, based on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s beautiful Hauraki Gulf. Led by Gary Wilton, we’re a team of trail lovers doing what we love the most – making tracks.
Since 2016 we have designed and built a wide range of walking tracks, bush and coastal paths, and mountain bike trails, on properties across Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands – check out our track record.
We believe that tracks are about much more than A to B – they should create a happy place for you. Somewhere you love to spend your time.
We like to start by getting to know your land and understanding what makes you happy. That way we can put together a Trail Plan with clear, costed options, helping you to decide what works best for you. With us, you know exactly what you’re getting and how much it’s going to cost.
About Gary.
Gary Wilton managed Auckland Council’s parks, reserves and the walkway network on the Gulf Islands from 2005 to 2016. He led the creation of Te Ara Hura – The Discovery Path – a 100km circuit linking Waiheke Island’s best trails and quiet back roads, which opened in 2015, and established the Waiheke Island Walking Festival in 2010.
On Great Barrier Island Gary led the creation of new trails including Iona Mine track, the Station Rock Path and trails to Ruahine summit, Whaler’s Lookout, Ross Bay, Island Bay and Miller’s Hill.
In May 2019 Make Tracks owner Gary Wilton was recognised by the Walking Access Commission as an Outdoor Access Champion for his work creating Waiheke’s comprehensive network of walking and biking tracks.
“The Good Guys”.
When some clients started referring to the Make Tracks team as “The Good Guys”, it stuck. And not just because of the work we do.
Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of the Make Tracks philosophy - we’re proud to have helped with tracks, paths and other useful stuff for local organisations such as Te Ārai Roa Manaaki (formerly Living Without Violence Waiheke), Native Bird Rescue, Waiheke Community Child Care Centre and Sculpture on the Gulf, as well as being a founding major sponsor of the Waiheke Walking Festival.
As Make Tracks owner and walking track expert Gary Wilton says - “It’s a small island which relies on community involvement, so we’re happy to play our part”.
We’re usually busy working on client projects all over the island and beyond, but making the time when we can to offer practical help for charitable and volunteer organisations who do so much good in our local area is a real privilege.
Make Tracks
were pleased to
be able to donate the
creation of a new safe
and dry pathway for the
Waiheke Community
Child Care Centre.
Waiheke Community Childcare Centre Path - built for free by Make Tracks in 2020
“Until recently
those with physical
disabilities would have
struggled to access our
building. Thanks to Make
Tracks donation, we can
now offer our services to
everyone”
- Agency Manager, Te Ārai Roa
Manaaki (formerly Living
Without Violence
Waiheke Network)
Waiheke Living Without Violence premises pathways - build labour donated by Make Tracks in 2022
Waiheke’s Headland
Sculpture on the
Gulf is where you’ll
have found temporary
paths made easier to
navigate by Make Tracks
donating their labour
to spread tonnes of
mulch.
Make Tracks is a founding sponsor of Sculpture on the Gulf, and contributes the labour to surface mulch an extensive temporary track network set up during the event.
When
Native Bird Rescue Waiheke Island
needed help with
their new Seabird
Rehabilitation Pool,
the Make Tracks team
pitched in and
constructed the
base.
From Native Bird Rescue facebook post November 2021: “A huge Thank-you to Gary Wilton and his incredible team at Make Tracks. They smashed the entire substrate in no time at all and donated all the materials, their time and energy! What a labour of love for our kororā. Community Superstars! Thank-you Team!”