53-726: Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail is one of 23 Great Rides in New Zealand. It is an 87 km (54 mi) cycleway (also used by walkers) in Northland , North Island , fully opened at the end of 2016. At the eastern end, part of the main route involves travelling on the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway (BoIVR), rather than cycling, or walking. Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail Trust manages
106-540: A 'high quality' destination. Construction of a maritime servicing area in Kawakawa River South, is under Waitangi Treaty Claim and, once a settlement is made, agreement will be needed between mana whenua and the Cycle Trail Trust for use of the cycle trail. The land has been landbanked for settlement, but no Cultural Impact Assessment prepared to support the application. Trail counters in
159-550: 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
212-473: A 2009 jobs summit, but this one was a surprise 21st item. Between 2010 and 2023 $ 8,272,028 was spent on the trail. FNDC opened Kaikohe-Ōkaihau in 2013 and Taumarere-Opua in 2014. By 2016 the Kawakawa-Horeke section was open, but 2 bridges on Ngapipito Road, Tirohanga bridge, Horeke boardwalk and 2 truss bridges were being built and the section near Kaikohe Aerodrome was being designed. Taumarere-Kawakawa
265-567: 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
318-525: 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
371-606: 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
424-467: Is 4.4 km (2.7 mi) from the train section at Te Akeake , where a train runs to Taumarere , 3.2 km (2.0 mi) from Kawakawa. When the train isn't running there is a temporary 17.7 km (11.0 mi) alternative route (see below). The trail runs beside the railway from Kawakawa to Taumarere. Dogs, horses and motor vehicles are banned from some of the trail. The trail is described as 4 sections - Opua - Kawakawa (11 km (6.8 mi))
477-630: Is Grade 1 easiest, with marina, mangrove , estuary river crossings, Taumarere station toilet and picnic spot and Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa. The cycle trail starts at the end of Baffin Street, Opua. Kawakawa has cafés, supermarket, museum, art gallery, craft and gift shops. Long Bridge-Te Akeake closed to cyclists after BoIVR used $ 5.59m, provided in 2020 by the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, to reinstate rail lines buried beneath
530-483: Is a rail trail , using the trackbed of the former Opua and Ōkaihau Branch railways. The central point is Kaikohe, from where the trail descends to the twin coasts, east and west. The Ōkaihau to Horeke section is grade 2-3. Most of the trail is off road grade 1-2 (easiest-easy), with some quiet country roads and a short section on State Highway 1 , through the centre of Kawakawa . The western entrance at Baffin St, Opua
583-548: 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
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#1732790749661636-567: Is extended from Taumarere to Opua. As a member of the Northern Adventure Experience (NAX), FNDC worked with BoIVR and the Cycle Trail Trust to ensure that Opua and Kawakawa remain joined by a scenic railway and a cycle trail. However, FNDC said the plan to build a new cycle trail alongside the railway was unviable due to safety and cost, so it signposted a 17 km (11 mi) cycle trail between Opua and Taumarere, via Oromāhoe and Whangae roads. It involves hill climbing,
689-409: Is more than twice as long as the 7.6 km (4.7 mi) railway route and all on roads. FNDC temporarily withdrew from NAX and arranged for bikes to go on trains from Kawakawa to Opua when BoIVR is complete. In 2023 safety was improved for cyclists and pedestrians on Opua Hill, at the junction of Franklin Street, English Bay Road, Oromahoe Road and SH11 , by a 60 km/h (37 mph) speed limit on
742-622: Is the largest lake in the Northland Region of New Zealand . It is located to the North of Kaikohe . The lake sits within the Kaikohe-Bay of Islands volcanic field . The lake was formed when an ancient lava flow blocked a valley, forming the northern shoreline. It is five kilometres in length and covers 12.3 km , however it is only 2.6 metres deep (and as low as 1.5 m during summer). The lake has few inflow streams, mostly in
795-537: Is the longest on any of the Great Rides. From the old Horeke Fire Station the trail shares the road for about 3 km (1.9 mi) to the end. Horeke is a small town. There is accommodation in Kohukohu and Rawene . A passenger and cycle ferry runs across Hokianga Harbour, between Horeke, Kohukohu (4km) and Rawene around midday on Tuesdays. The Great Rides were proposed by Prime Minister, John Key , after
848-404: 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
901-402: The 280 m (920 ft) summit of the trail, with views of Hokianga Harbour sand dunes and Mount Hikurangi . A ford close to Ōkaihau can be cycled through, or there is a bridge. Kaikohe has cafés and supermarkets and Ōkaihau a café, takeaways and a supermarket. Ōkaihau- Horeke (28 km (17 mi)) is Grade 2 – 3 easy-intermediate and ends at the 1838 Māngungu Mission Station . On
954-660: 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
1007-584: 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
1060-544: The Settlers Way/Horeke Road section there are views of Puketi Forest through the valley of the Utakura River , a picnic spot (with toilet, tables, old tractors, roosters and chickens), Lily Pond beside the trail, churches, bush and war memorial gates. The trail shares Horeke Road for about 500 m (1,600 ft). The 1.2 km (0.75 mi) boardwalk through the mangroves to Hokianga Harbour
1113-408: 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
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#17327907496611166-526: 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. Lake %C5%8Cm%C4%81pere Lake Ōmāpere
1219-411: 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
1272-595: 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
1325-437: 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
1378-469: 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
1431-408: The cycle trail, including maintenance, marketing and future development, to create jobs and provide for tourism with grants from FNDC and NZ Cycle Trails. Administration of the trail is divided between trusts covering - Taumarere-Opua, Waipuna, Kawakawa-Taumarere, Moerewa, Otiria and Ngapipito Valley and Waipuna, Rakautao, Lake Omapere-Kaikohe, Ōkaihau, Utakura, Māngungu and Horeke. Much of the route
1484-437: The historic railway bridges, there is no strong destination for there-and-back trips, 3,857 (2,893 people) walked and 7,857 (7,071 people) cycled. 400 m (440 yd) west of Kawakawa 9,300 (5,580 people) walked and 12,924 (9,693 people) cycled, showing use by local commuters. 500 m (550 yd) from Opua carpark 14,228 (9,960 people) walked and 26,432 (19,824 people) cycled. Walkers and cyclists do out and back trips for
1537-447: 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
1590-509: 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
1643-423: 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
Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-462: The least popular section for cycling, though cyclists using the quiet country road alongside aren't counted. 2,542 (1,907 people) walked and 6,333 (5,636 people) cycled 2 km (1.2 mi) out of Ōkaihau, at Macadamia Farm entrance. 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Kaikohe, between a mountain bike track, a tunnel and a café at Ōkaihau 7,207 (4,324 people) walked and 11,633 (8,725 people) cycled. 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Moerewa, where, apart from
1749-528: The main road and push-button operated flashing lights to warn traffic when the SH11 crossing is being used. Kawakawa- Kaikohe (34 km (21 mi)) is Grade 1-2, with a 300 m (980 ft) on-road detour between Kawakawa and Kaikohe, twin suspension bridges at Tuhipa, Orauta Stream, cycling through farmland, Kaikohe Aerodrome and the Hundertwasser toilets. Leaving Kawakawa from just behind
1802-487: 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
1855-630: 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
1908-540: 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
1961-532: The pā of Hōne Heke at Puketutu, on the shores of Lake Ōmāpere. The lake level was lowered between 1903 and 1929, but by 1947 silting had restored much of its level. The water quality in the lake is generally poor and the lake is prone to blooms of toxic algae. The lake is monitored by Northland Regional Council , and the environmental information can be viewed on the LAWA website . The Lake Ōmāpere Restoration and Management Project aims to develop and implement
2014-479: The railway station, the trail passes the back of Moerewa, where there is a disused wood mill, industrial areas, a public toilet, bakery, small supermarket, butchery and takeaway. The next 25 km (16 mi) of the trail is a gradual climb to Kaikohe, passing the northernmost operational point of the railway at Otiria, waterfalls, Kaikohe Aerodrome (a long grass strip, built in 1942 as a US Marines bomber base) and Kaikohe Pioneer Village, (200 m (660 ft) off
2067-483: The scenery and level trail. In 2021 figures were 35,668 pedestrians, 30,949 cyclists and in 2022 29,269 pedestrians and 33,395 cyclists, a total of 62,665, a drop of 6% to 2022, compared with an average 10% growth in use of all the Great Rides. New Zealand Cycle Trail#Great Rides 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
2120-585: The southern part of the lake. The Utakura River (south-western margin) is the main outflow which goes to the Hokianga Harbour . The lake catchment is predominantly pasture, with a few areas of native scrub and mature bush. Lake Ōmāpere is of great cultural and environmental value to Māori tangata whenua . In May 1845 the Battle of Puketutu , an engagement of the Flagstaff War , occurred at
2173-558: 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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2226-548: The trail is about 750 m (820 yd) from the original site of Opua station. On 28 August 2017 BoIVR got a resource consent to build a station, café, function room, bike hire shop, water tower and locomotive turntable at Colenso Triangle and promised to build a cycleway alongside the railway. However, having the cycle trail end at Colenso Triangle does not align with the Northland Walking and Cycling Strategy, nor NZ Cycle Trails Great Rides requirements, as it isn't
2279-493: 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
2332-403: The trail, with a 5 acre outdoor museum). Ngapipito Road, between Otiria and Kaikohe, has an on road section for about 500 m (1,600 ft) before re-joining the formed trail. Kaikohe- Ōkaihau (14 km (8.7 mi)) is Grade 1-2. Kaikohe is approximately the middle of the cycle trail and passes Lake Ōmāpere . A 7 ch (460 ft; 140 m) long curved tunnel, built in 1915, is at
2385-517: The trail. BoIVR and FNDC cleared weeds and improved Whangae Tunnel overpass, so that on 26 December 2022 the Te Akeake-Opua section was reopened for cyclists and walkers, but Te Akeake-Taumarere was restricted to travel for a gold coin on the infrequent BoIVR trains. In 2022 Far North District Council (FNDC) decided to develop a temporary Opua-Taumarere on-road cycle trail to supplement the railway corridor, which will revert to rail as BoIVR
2438-459: The year to 28 February 2020 recorded 68,817 pedestrian and cycle trips. At least 3,600 rode the whole trail. The Opua end had over 5 times the cycle counts of the Horeke end, but Horeke had the largest number of walkers; at a bridge a few kilometres south of Horeke 21,332 (11,733 people) walked and 4,721 (4,155 people) cycled. Pedestrians walked out and back, but most cyclists went to Horeke. It may be
2491-529: 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
2544-505: 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,
2597-488: 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
2650-624: Was built beside the railway, but re-piling of the Long Bridge took longer, than the originally expected completion in June 2014. At the end of 2016 the trail fully opened to Horeke, after missing a mid-2016 deadline and concerns, in 2015, it might never be finished. The Ōkaihau-Horeke section was officially opened on 18 March 2017. Otago Rail Trail was said to be a river of gold, especially needed for, "the poorer west where few visitors venture and where jobs are scarce". The Baffin Street entrance to
2703-592: 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
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#17327907496612756-503: 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
2809-524: 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
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