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A new three-year funding arrangement to support the management and maintenance of New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides will help ensure the trails continue to benefit regional communities, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
The Government is committing $7.5 million over three years from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund to maintain trail quality and provide each Great Ride with a dedicated trail manager.
“Each year more than two million people use the Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails, and earlier this week we saw new data showing our Great Rides contribute $1.28 billion a year to local economies. This funding will only support this growth,” Upston says.
“Preserving our Great Rides for the future is important. They create jobs, support businesses such as bike hire and tour companies, and attract hospitality and accommodation services to set up nearby.”
The Trail Management funding has two components:
- Maintenance: Funding to improve and maintain trail quality and address audit findings.
- Management: Dedicated funding for a trail manager for each Great Ride.
Upston says the Great Rides have long relied on strong partnerships between central and local government and the communities that host the trails.
“The three years of funding provides certainty for our trail partners and enables better long-term planning.”
Alongside the new funding arrangement, the Government has recently invested in cycle trail infrastructure in Ruapehu and Dunedin, with more projects planned.
“We are committed to ensuring all our Great Rides remain well-maintained and managed for the future, continuing to attract visitors and deliver economic benefits,” she says
