Trails Drinks Recap – Rebuilding the #WhakaTrails Post-Harvest

*Held: Tuesday 7 May | Pig & Whistle, Rotorua*

Thanks to everyone who joined us for May’s Trails Drinks. This month’s session focused on the future of the *Whakarewarewa Trail Network following recent and upcoming harvesting operations*.

The evening covered the process of trail planning and approvals, and how riders, land managers/owners, and the Rotorua Trails Trust are working together to rebuild a sustainable, exciting trail network.

Key topics included:

Harvesting Overview:

What logging has already occurred, what’s still to come through 2025 and early 2026

Trail Submissions:

How trail users can submit ideas for new trails or rebuilds

Approval Pathways: What types of trails are submitted to the Forest Recreation Group and how that process works

Assessment Criteria:

Trails are assessed based on a range of factors including:

Appeal, Variety, Linkage, Safety, Maintenance, Affordability, Longevity, Environmental Impact, Cultural Significance, and Commercial Value.

Who Assesses Trail Requests:

And what matters most to them during evaluation

The Submission Process:

Step-by-step guide on how to submit your trail idea or rebuild request. (Reminder: All trails, including rebuilds, require approval.)

Trail Costs vs. Maintenance:

A brief discussion on budgeting for both builds and long-term upkeep

How to Get Involved:

Opportunities for the public to have input, especially as we plan for the future of the Tawa Hillside

📥 We are actively seeking feedback on what trails the community would like to see rebuilt.

📊 The full presentation from the evening can be viewed and downloaded below:

Trail Drinks 3_Rebuilding Whaka Trails.pdf

Download PDF • 43.09MB

📅 *Next Trails Drinks: Tuesday 3 June* at the Pig & Whistle – Topic: Dirt & Dollar

*we forgot to take pictures so here is an AI interpritation of what these nights are like :)