Fiordland's northern multipurpose trail is back on track after trail organisers were granted Department of Conservation (DOC) permission to widen limited parts of the new track to 3m to ensure safe two-way passage for users.

The Fiordland Trails Trust's (FTT) trail construction from Patience Bay to Ewe Burn necessitated a DOC Wildlife Permit, after the area was identified as potentially containing the at-risk Southland Green Skink.

A condition of that permit required the trail width be reduced from its original 3m to just 2.2m.

However with no at-risk skink having been found and potentially dangerous 'pinch points' identified, the FTT decided to apply for an amendment to its permit in November 2024 to widen the trail back to its original 3m width.

FTT Chair David Boniface said that while the final amendment was a compromise, the Trust was pleased this would now allow them to achieve a safe, two-way trail as originally intended.

Boniface said he would still need to work with DOC for approval as areas with safety difficulties were identified.

Major work on the Patience Bay to Sinclair Road won't start until site conditions improve, but in the meantime the FFT's contractor would undertake some preparation work, such as culvert installation over the next few months, he said.

All going well, the FTT hopes to have the section from Patience Bay to Sinclair Road ready for public use before the Christmas holiday period.

Construction of a further 1.8km to the lakeside will follow in early 2026, Boniface said.