Official Opening of The Timber Trail

By Kim Tukaki
April 03, 2013

Pureora Forest, Waitomo – It’s official, The Timber Trail, through Pureora Forest Park is now open. The Hon. Dr. Nick Smith, Minister for Conservation cut the ribbon to the trail on Saturday 30th March, 2013.

Representatives from local Iwi Ngati Rereahu welcomed dignitaries and the crowd of some 250 plus cycling enthusiasts to the start of The Timber Trail on Barryville Road, off State Highway 30 between Te Kuiti and Mangakino in the central North Island.

Sarah Ulmer – Olympic Cycling Gold Medalist and Cycle Trail Ambassador also attended the opening, leading the cyclists off on an 11km loop after sharing her enthusiasm during a speech encouraging more New Zealanders to venture out on bikes, and experience the network of cycle trails throughout the country.

The opening of The Timber Trail offers the opportunity for local businesses to provide their services to the 15,000 expected annual visitors to the trail, “it’s about realizing economic potential”.

One such business is Kohia Ltd, a consortium of Maori Land Trusts, who were part of the original discussions to establish the Timber Trail, and played a major role in providing easements over their land to the Department of Conservation to access the Timber Trail from various locations in the vast 78,000 hectare Pureora Forest Park.

Kohia Ltd currently employs 2 full time staff, and has established its operation at the Department of Conservation Area Field Office, only 200m from the start of the trail. Kohia Ltd offers bike hire, accommodation options and shuttle services, with up to the minute reports on the trail conditions and weather. For more information visit http://www.thetimbertrail.com/.

ENDS

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