World-class Waitangi Mountain Bike Park on track to attract tourists
29 July 2015
A project led by the Focus Paihia Trust to build a world-class mountain bike park in Waitangi is one step closer to reality, after a management agreement was signed with the Department of Conservation this week.
The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park is set to be a huge tourist drawcard to the area and provide a magnificent community sports facility, but Focus Paihia says the not-for-profit project still requires additional funding and is calling on the Far North community to get involved.
Focus Paihia has matched the $70,000 grant signed over by Far North District Council in May, which will help develop the first 14km of the track. But another $300,000 is required to complete the first two zones and 37km of the park. The completed park, located amongst the Waitangi Endowment Forest, will be 73kms long and will cost approximately $1.1million plus additional funds for all weather surfacing.
“We’re really excited about this project and the benefits it can bring to the Bay of Islands and the Far North District,” says Sarah Greener, a Focus Paihia trustee.
“Northland and the Bay of Islands lacks for land based activities for visitors and locals alike, so the Park fills a real hole in the local infrastructure for leisure activities. With magnificent views across the area, the master crafted trails and riding surfaces will mean beginners, family groups and experts alike will be able to ride for hours,” she says.
Focus Paihia has launched a Givealittle fundraising campaign and is encouraging Northlanders to get behind the campaign.
“If you’re able to help with this project, which will lead to increased number of visitors and revenue coming into Northland, please donate. Every dollar counts,” adds Sarah.
In addition to the Givealittle page, individuals and companies can also sponsor a kilometre of the track for $10,000 or even an entire trail.
As well as providing mountain biking trails for all skill levels, the Park will work closely with members of Ngati Rahiri Hapu and aims to promote the culture and history of the area, community and conservation information to users, through informative trail signs. The sustainably built and maintained trails will also assist conservation efforts with reducing the pests in the area to restore native birdlife numbers.
"It is exciting to be a part of this project from a DOC perspective. It will be a great resource for the community and visitors and provide a fun way for people to get into nature. Everyone has worked really hard to get to this point so it is a fantastic milestone," says Carolyn Smith, Far North Partnerships Manager, DOC.
The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park was the initial idea of Paihia locals Robin and Tiffany Holland who ride regularly in the Waitangi Endowment forest. The Whakarewarewa Forest Mountain Bike Park in Rotorua inspired the couple to start and lead the project to build a similar park in the Bay of Islands.
Southstar Trails will lead the Park’s development and is an internationally renowned trail construction team run by Jeff Carter, who has built mountain bike trails all over the world. Southstar Trails originate from Rotorua and have built a significant amount of trails in the globally recognised Whakarewarewa Forest Mountain Bike Park.
At just three hours’ drive from Auckland, the completed Park will provide a huge attraction for families throughout NZ, international tourists, schools, community groups and biking enthusiasts. The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park will be a world-class facility close to the most significant historical site in New Zealand’s history, Waitangi Treaty Grounds and soon to be opened Waitangi Museum.
Southstar are booked to begin marking and building trails this September. Ideally Zone 2 and 3 of the project will be complete by March 2016. Zones 1,4 and 5 will be developed as funds are raised.
