Kawatiri Coastal Trail

The Kawatiri Coastal Trail

The 55 km walking and cycling heritage Trail will connect the communities of Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay along the coast from Westport to Charleston.

The Grade 2 family friendly cycle trail will be suitable for most ages, fitness and abilities. When complete, accommodation, eateries, bike hire, and shuttle options will enable visitors to have multi-day adventures.

The area’s unique geology, diverse ecology, extensive Māori and European history and vast seascapes will make it one of New Zealand’s finest day rides. The Trail, and the visitors it attracts, will provide sustainable development opportunities for locals and communities. Nine Sections are to be built to The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guidelines. Once complete it is hoped the Trail will receive Great Ride Status.

Why we need your help

The Kawatiri Coastal Trail needs donations to support its maintenance and ongoing operations. Even at this early stage it’s imperative sufficient resources are available, to protect and enhance the Trail and the experiences of all who use it.

Your donation to the Trust enables us to take this incredible community asset from good to great, giving enjoyment and health benefits to those who use it. Be part of something amazing, and donate to be part of the Trail.

Maintenance costs will be covered by Fundraising by the Trail Trust and in-kind support from community volunteers. Official partnerships and sponsorships will be sought from local businesses, along with other funding initiatives such as Event Fees and Council or Lotteries Grants.

Donations, volunteers and sponsorship is already forthcoming from local community.

How the Trail has been funded

In 2017 the Trail was included in the West Coast Economic Development Strategy, and between February and June 2018, a feasibility study and Business Case undertaken. The comprehensive Business Case contributed to the successful application to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) seeking $9.36 million from the Provincial Growth Fund for full funding for construction.

Whilst there has been significant investment for the Trail construction, these funds don’t extend to Trail maintenance once built. Trail use will be free for cyclists and walkers, and so we wanted to give Trail users a way to contribute financially, however small, to the ongoing success of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail.

The Pūwaha Section of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail from Westport to Carters Beach is the first section to be built, and officially opened to the public on 6 December 2020. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is due for completion in June 2022

In 2016, the group formalised as the Charleston-Westport Coastal Trail Trust and so the Kawatiri Coastal Trail was born. The project gained huge support from the community and stakeholders and in late 2016 was included in the National Governments Regional Growth Study. This resulted in access to $100,000 from M.B.I.E and Development West Coast to develop a business case and feasibility study.

When the Labour Government came to power in October 2017, there was a new regional development support funding pool known as the Provincial Growth Fund. The Trust prepared an application aligned with their completed business case and in November 2018, the project was granted full funding of $9.36 Million.

This money will be spent on trail maintenance and up keep. It will allow for trail to be repaired after heavy use or inclement weather, and will support maintenance of the website and social media assets for the promotion of the trail and the region.