The trails plan actions an identified need in the FNDC Integrated Transport Strategy’s action plan for investment in walking and cycling infrastructure in the district. The plan also responds to the Northland Walking and Cycling Strategy’s regional vision: “For Northland to be one of the world’s best coastal walking and cycling destinations where the journeys and stories are as impressive and memorable as the scenery.”
The existing Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail is the only all ages and ability trail in the Far North District. It runs from coast to coast linking the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Tasman Sea in the west across the bottom third of the district.
The Trails Plan aimed to create a cohesive network of trails, either connecting to (or separate from) the Pou Herenga Tai, providing benefit to both local communities of the Far North and tourists. The benefits of investment in trails was comprehensively covered, including impacts on health, tourism, road safety, Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), transport choices, and equity. The existing use of the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Trail particularly by schools in Kaikohe provided important cases for investment, beyond providing a cycle trail for tourists.
Nick Reid presented ViaStrada's work on this project on 18 March at the 2024 2WALKandCYCLE Conference in Wellington. The presentation can be found here.
2WALKandCYCLE Conference, Wellington, 18-19 March 2024