The presence of Te Puni Kōkiri Te Tai Hauāuru throughout the development and planning stages for the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail helped to ensure its successful completion.

As a regional initiative, the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail also involved Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils, iwi, community groups and the Department of Conservation.

Regional Director Sam Bishara says the fact that Te Puni Kōkiri was “at the table” and working with all the organisations including iwi ensured a smooth transition for the track’s development.

Te Puni Kōkiri also assisted with developing a business case for the trail as well as with the consultation process; making sure iwi were included and informed. “We had no problems. I believe because of being at the table with Department of Conservation, our track went through,” Sam says.

The 245km Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail is part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail/Ngā Haerenga. It starts at the Mt Ruapehu Tūroa ski field and crosses two National Parks taking in the Old Coach Road, Fishers Track and the Mangapurua Track to the Bridge to Nowhere. It ends at the Tasman Sea at the mouth of the Whanganui River.

The trails follow old rail and walking routes. The $1.5 million network itself is part of the more ambitious $50 million national cycleway that is slowly winding its way through the country.

Speaking at the launch of the trail earlier this year, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said riders from New Zealand and all over the world can now travel from the mountains of the central North Island to Whanganui on the coast. It was, she said, an example of the Government’s commitment to developing quality tourism assets which would provide employment and business opportunities for rural communities.