[2] In 1915, a deputation from Nelson lobbied William Fraser, the Minister of Public Works, about the need for a Karamea–Wangapeka road to enable stock to be moved between the regions.
[8] In October 1936, Bob Semple, the Minister for Public Works, questioned whether the proposed road was economically viable.
[11] The local West Coast and Collingwood population and councils largely supported the road, believing that a complete "tourist circuit" of the South Island would increase the access and popularity of their area.
[12] Other groups opposed to a road through the Heaphy Track included the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Federated Mountain Clubs and the Nature Conservation Council.
Opposition groups criticised the plan for the destruction of up to 23 km (14 mi) of the Heaphy Track, including the unique sub-tropical coastal section.
During the 1973/74 New Year period, a severe storm led to 82 people taking shelter in the Gouland Downs Hut - a building with only six bunks.
[21] The idea of a route through the Wangapeka was raised again in 2015 by the mayor of Buller as a means of boosting the West Coast economy in response to the decline of the coal industry.