41-828: The Hauraki Rail Trail is one of the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail system, using parts of the abandoned ECMT and Thames Branch railways in the Hauraki Gulf plains and the Coromandel Peninsula . The 197 kilometres (122 mi) trail officially starts from Kaiaua in the north, and traces the Shorebird Coast along the Firth of Thames , before heading south via Paeroa to then branch either east towards Waihi (via
82-550: A 100 km long cycle trail along the Waikato River . In the second stage of the project, it was announced in February 2010 that out of 54 applications (beyond the quick-start trails), 13 had been selected to receive funding (pending further feasibility studies). If all these trails and the quick-start trails were realised, they would provide over 2,000 km of trail. In September 2010, funding for another five tracks
123-567: A New Zealand-wide network in the long term. John Key noted that to retain momentum on the process, the first sections to be funded would be publicised by June 2009. This was slightly pushed out until July 2009, when the first seven projects were announced, to receive $ 9 million in funding. In November 2009, construction started on the Waikato River Trails , the first of the quick-start projects, which received $ 3 million in funding to construct 41 km of track and thereby finish
164-525: A full track formed in concrete at least $ 300m rather than the $ 50m initially suggested. Setting out further specifics, in May 2009 it was confirmed that instead of a single route throughout New Zealand, the project would, at least initially, concentrate on a number of promising individual links. Substantial parts of these routes could use existing railway corridor reserves or possibly paper roads , or existing cycle infrastructure, where present. They would also have
205-606: A network. The project has also created enthusiasm among some business groups, with, for example, a meeting of 130 Waikato business and government representatives endorsing it for the tourism, health and economic benefits it could bring to Hamilton and the Waikato. Also supportive was the New Zealand Contractors' Federation , which considered that it would be very beneficial for many small and medium enterprises during hard economic times. The cycleway project
246-522: A significant economic benefit for the region, and had already become a major promotional asset for tourism. The new wooden bridges on the rail trail received the "Sustainability Award" in the Timber Design Awards in 2012. New Zealand Cycle Trail The New Zealand Cycle Trail project ( Māori : Nga Haerenga , "The Journeys") is a New Zealand government initiative, co-funded together with local councils and charitable trusts, which
287-771: A stated objective to contribute to New Zealand's well-being across four pillars: the Economy, Nature, Culture, and Society. New Zealand was the first country to dedicate a government department to tourism. In 1901, the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts came into being. Through most of the 20th century, its role was tactical - running hotels and putting together itineraries around New Zealand as well as advertising. The organisation now known as Tourism New Zealand focuses on marketing New Zealand. International tourism has grown to become New Zealand's largest earner of foreign exchange, pumping around NZD14.5 billion annually into
328-548: Is also seen as a potential lifeline for small town such as Kumara on the West Coast. The small town, a former gold mining centre, now has only a few hundred inhabitants left, and is facing the closure of its only remaining store. Westland's Mayor Maureen Pugh noted that the Westland Wilderness Trail, which was selected as one of the 13 Phase II trails, could be a "saving grace" by bringing tourism into
369-691: Is the marketing agency responsible for promoting New Zealand as a tourism destination internationally. It is the trading name of the New Zealand Tourism Board , a Crown entity established under the New Zealand Tourism Board Act 1991. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ; (previously the New Zealand Ministry of Tourism) is the government department tasked with tourism policy and research. In undertaking this promotion, it has
410-404: Is to build and operate a network of cycle routes through the country. As of mid-2011, the first of 18 proposed 'Great Rides' (dedicated cycleways, mostly off-road and in particularly scenic locations) were being finished, while construction was ongoing on most of the others. The first set of 'Touring Routes' (mostly on-road, to connect Great Rides), had also been announced. At the end of 2013, with
451-585: Is user generated. The i-SITE Network is a nationwide network of visitor information centers in New Zealand, established by Tourism New Zealand in 1990. Prior to 1990, some New Zealand tourism sites and places operated independent information and publicity centers. As of 2024, there are over 60 i-SITE centres across New Zealand, which provide tourism-oriented information, accommodation and transport bookings, and activity reservations for visitors. The management, administration and marketing of i-SITE New Zealand
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#1732772702093492-647: The Green Party who see the 100% Pure brand as an environmental statement. Tourism New Zealand markets New Zealand using the 100% Pure New Zealand marketing campaign. Tourism New Zealand set up a YouTube channel in 2007 to launch the latest iteration of its 100% Pure New Zealand campaign It has featured the theme of New Zealand being the 'Youngest Country' in the world - the last major habitable landmass to be discovered. Tourism New Zealand also has an Instagram account. Its #NZMustDo hashtag has attracted over 500,000 images and has over 600,000 followers. All content
533-660: The 315 km (196 mi) Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Originally called the New Zealand Cycleway , and later the National Cycleway Project , it was initially conceived as a cycling route to run through the length of New Zealand, "from Kaitaia to Bluff ". It was proposed by then Prime Minister John Key as the 21st "surprise" item of the national job summit held by the New Zealand Government in early 2009. John Key, who
574-604: The Firth of Thames' coast was expected to start in mid-2013, adding another 56 kilometres (35 mi) to the track. It opened in August 2020. The 37 km (23 mi) path south from Te Aroha to Matamata was officially opened in November 2020. In 2013 the trail was described as the most popular cycle trail in New Zealand, despite only having been open for less than a year. From January 2013 to April 2013, monthly cycle counts on
615-607: The Karangahake Gorge) or south to Te Aroha . In the Karangahake Gorge, the rail trail passes through a 1,100 metres (3,609 ft) long tunnel, which has been fitted with electrical lighting. The trail takes around three days to complete for most fitness levels. It is one of the easiest cycle trails in New Zealand, and offers a diverse range of scenery, from pohutukawa trees, through lush farm land, and onto some of New Zealand's pioneering past. The trail
656-584: The New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Rides In May 2016, another $ 25m of new-route funding was announced. In December 2023, the New Zealand Cycle Trail network expanded with the commencement of construction on a new section linking Queenstown to Cromwell, funded through a collaboration among the New Zealand Government, Central Lakes Trust, and Otago Community Trust, reflecting the ongoing investment in
697-408: The ability to run through conservation land where appropriate, and take into account existing tourist destinations, thus providing particularly interesting routes. Prime Minister John Key, in mid-2010, noted that he expected 2,000 km of cycleway to be completed by the end of 2011. The intention of the trail, apart from creating jobs in an economic downturn (both in construction and later in
738-530: The area. Similar hopes have been expressed by locals in towns like Kaikohe in Northland. Occasionally, locals, especially farmers, have however expressed concerns that vandalism would occur when tourists on bikes travelled through previously inaccessible areas, though experiences from the Otago Rail Trail indicates that such fears are overstated. Tourism New Zealand Tourism New Zealand
779-411: The average tourists, and during their time in the country spend about 1.6 times as much as the average tourist. Tourism New Zealand also noted that so far, there was effectively no promotion of New Zealand cycling to overseas tourists, even though it was a significant tourism industry in places like Europe. Estimates for the quick-start projects estimate that each might occupy approximately 40 people in
820-595: The budget. Of the total sum, $ 2.5m have been set aside for management and advisory functions in the Ministry of Tourism, while $ 47.5m will be used to create the National Cycleway Project Fund, from which successful applicants will draw money for construction of routes. By September 2010, $ 45.6m had been allocated to track construction, and had attracted a further $ 30m in co-funding from local Councils and other organisations. In July 2010, it
861-406: The busiest section ( Karangahake Gorge ) averaged over 7,000 cyclists a month. The trail was particularly popular with the "baby boomer", family clientele from Auckland and the wider Waikato, with 24% of users coming from Auckland, 15% from Hamilton, and a large proportion of users being older riders – based on a University of Waikato survey. Both local businesses and Council agree that the trail had
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#1732772702093902-437: The central north island, were: While many cycling groups and tourism interests such as Tourism New Zealand greeted the project with enthusiasm, there has also been scepticism, mainly related to the potential costs of the project, and the scope for economical benefits. Editorialist Brian Rudman has also claimed that the cycleway idea smacked of Depression Era make-work schemes for the working classes. Others have countered
943-469: The criticism noting that the money spent on the cycleway would go back into the New Zealand economy in any case, and leave the country with a lasting infrastructural benefit. Editorialists have remarked that the Prime Minister remained clearly behind the project he helped launch, despite criticism about changes in the estimated costs, and the shift from the initial concept of a single track towards
984-447: The initial $ 50 million (plus local co-funding) essentially all spent or allocated, about 19 routes were expected to be in operation. By 2016, when added funding was announced, the total route length was about 2,500 km (1,600 mi). The addition of Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in 2022 brought the total number of 'Great Rides' to 23, covering 2,755 km (1,712 mi), ranging from the 21 km (13 mi) Roxburgh Gorge Trail to
1025-509: The initial construction period. Prime Minister John Key noted that he expected about 500 jobs to be provided in construction of the cycleways in total, with up to 4,000 eventually created through tourism benefits the trails would bring. In mid-2011, the newsletter of the New Zealand Cycle Trail reported 511 people employed on trail construction. Job experiences from the Far North District were also positive – among other effects, it
1066-423: The initial vision of a single track throughout the country would probably not be realised, at least not in the same form. Rather, it was now envisaged that a whole network of tracks would be created, combined from existing part sections, or upgraded from other forms of tracks and roads. The tracks would likely be to different standards in different areas, as some estimates have set the cost for the original proposal of
1107-577: The nation's economy. Over 3.4 million visitors arrive in the country every year. To achieve the best results Tourism New Zealand focuses marketing activity in core markets. The largest number of international visitors to New Zealand arrive from Australia, China and the USA. In October 2017 Lonely Planet named New Zealand in the Top 10 countries to visit in 2018. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic tourism
1148-487: The number of permanent NZCT staff would be reduced from 7 to 3. In mid 2016, another $ 25 million of funding (plus associated local Council co-funding) was announced by government, with approximately $ 13m of the funding planned to pay for connecting four Great Rides cycle trails in Central Otago into a connected 536 km track network. The remainder of the funds would be open for local applications. The cycleway
1189-630: The projects that had applied for funding from the new fund after the scope was changed are routes in urban Auckland , as well as on Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island . However, none of these were successful, though Nikki Kaye , National MP for Auckland, and other sponsors of the proposals, such as Cycle Action Auckland were optimistic that deserving projects like the Waiheke Cycle Trail would still be realised by other means. In February 2014, Prime Minister John Key announced $ 8 million worth of maintenance funding over four years for
1230-540: The proposal as encouraging cycling in New Zealand, while walking advocates also see benefits to be gained from such a route. Tourism New Zealand noted that the project could also provide a much-needed boost to the viability and funding of many cities' languishing cycling strategies and plans. Ministry of Tourism figures show that so far (as of 2009), only about 2% of all tourists to New Zealand undertake cycling as part of their activities. The data did however also indicate that cycling tourists stay more than twice as long as
1271-558: The tourism industry associated with it), is to provide local and international cycle tourists with a route to travel on. Cycle Action Auckland noted in an editorial that the Otago Central Rail Trail had brought substantial benefits to an otherwise struggling rural region, and had been assessed as supporting up to 1,000 full and part-time jobs in the region, and that the tourism benefits of a national cycleway would likely be similar. Cycling Advocates' Network supports
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1312-493: The trail system. In mid-2011, the New Zealand Cycle Trail announced a second type of route, the "touring route". Composed mainly of existing on-road routes (rather than new dedicated cycleways), these routes are to start linking the various Great Rides and New Zealand in general with officially designated cycling routes, chosen for scenic appeal and suitability for cycling (low motor vehicle traffic volumes etc...). The first three such routes announced, all centred on Taumarunui in
1353-574: The wider Tourism sector which includes the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as well as numerous Regional Tourism Organisations their priorities are set by the Minister of Tourism , Matt Doocey . The main marketing tool of Tourism New Zealand is the award-winning "100% Pure New Zealand" campaign, which had its ten-year anniversary in 2009. The brand has attracted debate at times from scientists such as Mike Joy , environmentalists, and
1394-422: Was New Zealand's single largest export industry, adding approximately 40.9 Billion dollars to the economy and directly employing approximately 8.4% of New Zealand's total workforce. As a Crown Entity, Tourism New Zealand is governed by a board chaired by Jamie Tuuta, who work alongside an executive team led by Chief Executive René de Monchy to promote New Zealand in key markets as a visitor destination. As part of
1435-529: Was also Minister of Tourism , noted that as of the middle of March 2009, officials were working "actively and aggressively" on a plan to implement the cycleway, though the original idea of a direct route was abandoned in favour of linking a network of existing paths and new sections, which Key termed 'Great Rides' in allusion to the New Zealand Great Walks system of famous tramping or hiking tracks. The individual routes are to be connected into
1476-505: Was announced that Sarah Ulmer would be the official 'ambassador' for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. In May 2011, a customer-focused website was launched for the trails. In January 2012, the most famous existing cycle route of the country, the Otago Central Rail Trail , became a part of the Cycle Trail umbrella organisation. In February 2013, it was announced that with most project and funding-allocation work completed after 4 years,
1517-488: Was announced that 8 of the 13 cycle trails had received the go-ahead, four needed further study, and one (Tauranga Moana) had been rejected, due to land-use/access issues making the proposal unfeasible in the short term. $ 18.8 million have been set aside for the approved tracks, with the local authorities adding another $ 16 million to the project costs. Five more tracks from the list were approved in September 2010. Among
1558-536: Was confirmed, bringing the total up to 18. On 2 July 2010, Prime Minister John Key opened the first segment completed with cycle trail funding, being the 'Old Coach Road' segment of the Ruapehu to Whanganui Nga Ara Tuhono trail. By November 2010, eight trails were under construction, and the first full "Great Ride", the St James Trail located near Hanmer Springs , opened in November 2010. In mid-2011, it
1599-415: Was opened in 2012, with 95% of 69 km completed at the end of 2012, and all of the original length open from as early as 2013 (New Zealand Cycle Trail's official website). In September 2013, the connecting section from Waikino to Waihi was opened, and the network then encompassed over 80 kilometres (50 mi) of easy-riding cycle trails. Scoping for a further section, from Kopu to Kaiaua along
1640-503: Was originally proposed to be a continuous route with a concrete surface, and it was proposed that the Department of Conservation was to supervise the construction process. Cycling advocates noted that having the feasibility study undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism, rather than the Ministry of Transport, boded well for the future of the project. In the middle of March 2009, comments started to emerge from government indicating that
1681-524: Was reported that of 110 formerly unemployed young people who worked on the project for half a year as part of a government subsidy scheme, 80 had gone on to other work, rather than returning to the dole. In May 2009, the government announced that $ 50 million had been allocated for the cycleway in the budget for the coming three years, provided by the Ministry of Tourism. It was hoped that local authorities and other entities would also provide further sums, with co-funded projects receiving priority for money from