Funding to help repair damaged Cycle Trails following recent severe weather events

Destination Hauraki Coromandel and Tourism Bay of Plenty will also receive targeted tourism marketing support from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to rebuild visitor confidence and support regional tourism recovery following the January 2026 upper North Island severe weather events.

More than 2 million people each year enjoy the 23 Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails (NZCT), spending an estimated $1.28 billion in the regions.

The Government has approved an initial $300,000 to carry out immediate safety work on the Hauraki Rail Trail. Tasman’s Great Taste Trail will receive almost $427,000 to reinstate the track between Wai-iti Reserve and Quail Valley Road (Stage three repairs), building on funding to repair storm damage in 2025. Extreme event funding of $110,000 will help repair significant damage that occurred in February across 50 kilometres of the Waikato River Trail.

The Great Rides are a long-standing partnership between central and local government and the communities that host the trails.

Read the Minister's press release:

Rebuilding regional tourism after severe weather(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz