Three of New Zealand's Great Ride cycle trails have been allocated funding for repairs after severe weather events earlier in the year.
The Government is investing more than NZD 800,000 to repair three of New Zealand’s Great Ride cycle trails following significant storm damage, plus marketing funding to aid regional tourism recovery, said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
“Repairing these trails ensures they can continue to drive regional tourism, support local businesses, and provide high‑quality outdoor recreation experiences,” Minister Upston added.
An initial NZD 300,000 is going toward immediate safety work on the Hauraki Rail Trail, which is enabling it to reopen to cyclists in time to enjoy the changing autumn landscapes, following storm damage in January.
The Waikato River Trail will receive NZD 110,000 to help repair significant damage that occurred in February across 50 kilometres of the trail.
Further south, Tasman’s Great Taste Trail will receive almost NZD 427,000 to reinstate the track between Wai‑iti Reserve and Quail Valley Road, subject to final route confirmation. This adds to the support provided last year and brings the total Government investment in extreme‑weather repairs on the trail to just over NZD 2 million.
The trail contributes around NZD 34 million to the local economy each year, and this work will help ensure it continues to play that vital role.
“As regions recover from summer storms, it’s important we support tourism businesses to welcome visitors back,” said Upston.
Alongside infrastructure repairs, targeted marketing funding has also been approved to help affected regions rebuild visitor confidence and support tourism recovery following the January 2026 severe weather events in the upper North Island. This includes NZD 55,000 for domestic and international marketing in Hauraki Coromandel and NZD 10,000 for an autumn business‑events marketing campaign in the Bay of Plenty.
“More than two million people enjoy the 23 Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails each year, contributing an estimated NZD 1.28 billion to regional economies, and today’s support helps regions keep welcoming visitors as they recover from severe weather,” Upston said.
“These trails are a long‑standing partnership between central and local government and the communities that host them. This investment reinforces that commitment.”
More news here.
