Hugo Tunnel Naming Ceremony

After lying in ruin and disrepair, restoration of the tunnel has been made possible thanks to an incredible $735,000 donation from the Hugo Charitable Trust (Hugo). In recognition of this generous contribution, the restored tunnel has been named the Hugo Tunnel.

The Hugo Tunnel has special significance to the Hugo Charitable Trust because of Hugh Green’s history in the civil construction industry.  After emigrating to New Zealand from Ireland, Hugh Green and Barney McCahill formed Green & McCahill Ltd, which grew to become one of the best-known civil construction companies in New Zealand.  Green & McCahill completed some of New Zealand’s most significant civil construction projects including a long list of major tunnels in Auckland, Timaru and on the West Coast.

The official naming ceremony for the 108-meter-long tunnel took place yesterday with Maryanne Green, daughter of Hugh Green and founder of the Hugo Charitable Trust, Mark Owens, Chair of Hugo, and Aoibheann Monaghan, CEO and Trustee of Hugo. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Tourism Louise Upston, as well as representatives from MBIE, QLDC and DoC.  The restoration work was completed by Geotech Ground Engineering and Fulton Hogan, with the bolting and strengthening and lighting design provided by WSP. 

Restoration works began on the Hugo Tunnel in mid-2024 and included stabilisation of the tunnel portals, removal of rock-fall material, installation of rock bolts, structural anchors and mesh and construction of a new trail surface.  Throughout the project, archaeologists have been involved in documenting and cataloguing historic artifacts throughout the tunnel, which have been replaced in-situ for trail users to experience.

Queenstown Trails CEO Mark ‘Willy’ Williams has been blown away with the efficiency and speed with which the tunnel was transformed into the centre piece of the new Shotover Gorge Trail.  “This tunnel is quite unique, and offers a raw interior created by drill and blast techniques; it’s been astounding to see the tunnel interior gaining headroom and becoming what will surely become Queenstown’s must-do trail experience.”

Williams says the community is indebted to the Hugo Charitable Trust for bringing the tunnel back to life and enabling visitors from around the world to enjoy the awesome feature along the new Shotover Gorge Trail. Williams also thanked the contractors and engineers who had shared his vision of being able to include the tunnel as spectacular trail infrastructure.

Mark Owens, Hugo Chair and Trustee commented that “Hugh Green would have well understood the hard work and toil that went into building this tunnel.  We have walked the trail to the tunnel entrances, and we are very impressed with the stunning terrain and views.  The new trail and tunnel will be a fantastic asset for the community, to be enjoyed by many locals and visitors to the region.” 

The Hugo Tunnel is located at Big Beach on the Shotover Gorge Trail which is scheduled to open later in March. In conjunction with the Wharehuanui Trail which opened in October last year, this marks the completion of Queenstown Trails ‘enhance and expand’ project, closing the ‘missing link’ through the northern edge of the Whakatipu basin.

About the Hugo Charitable Trust
Maryanne Green, the eldest daughter of Irish philanthropist and businessman the late Hugh Green, known in Ireland as Hugo, founded the Hugo Charitable Trust in 2017 to continue Hugh’s philanthropic legacy and to give back to the people of New Zealand. Since its inception, the Hugo Charitable Trust has donated over $19 million to charitable causes throughout the country.

About Queenstown Trails
Queenstown Trails is the charitable organisation responsible for the development of over 200km of recreational trails throughout the Whakatipu Basin, which caters to more than 300,000 trail users every year.  With a mix of recreational, commuter, and back country trails, Queenstown Trails proudly connects Queenstown communities and is one of 23 Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Rides.