🌲WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲 12 Feb 2026

Yeeewwww what an ABSOLUTE BELTER of a week it's been out there! The trails are running sweet as, the weather's been mint (cept for the hail bomb on Wednesday!), and the crews have been flat-out making sure you lot have the best riding and walking experience possible!

Seriously, if you haven't been out this week, you're missing out! The dirt is tacky, the forest is buzzing with life, and every corner of the Whaka is getting the love it deserves. Let's dive into the mahi that's been going down!

TANK TO TOWN 🙌🌿

Wooowee starting strong here, the trail crew of ONE absolutely crushed it this week on Tank to Town. Not easy work either with hours of pure dedication, sweat, wasp stings and hard yaka to get it clear of all the over grown vege. Hats of to ya buddy, you are a legend!

TAURA – ADOPTER AROHA! 💚🛠️

Big ups to the Taura trail adopter who put in a solid 3-hour session on Monday! This is what it's all about – community members stepping up, getting their hands dirty, and making the trails better for everyone. Taura is looking mint thanks to your mahi!

CORRIDOR VIBES! 🤝🌲

The Corridor rebuild (the bit in the natives part below the jumps) got some adopter aroha on Wednesday. They popped in, cleared some vegetation, and kept the progress rolling on this beauty of a trail.

This is what makes the Whaka special – people who care enough to give back, we are all super grateful for you taking the time to give back to this awesome little track. chur chur buddy!

MOKOPUNA 🚶‍♂️✨

The walking trails have been absolutely humming this week with Mokopuna getting a nice weeee tidy up. Now more than every the Mokopuna is ripe for a sunset stroll, a morning wander with the whānau, or just getting out there to soak up the forest vibes. (I thnk its called "forest bathing" now?) The RTT crew has made sure every step you take is safe, clear, and beautiful and we hope you love it as much as we do 🙂

POHATUROA/YELLOW TRACK🟡🌄

My favourite after work walk for sure! Massive shout-out to the crew who've been all over the Pohaturoa (Yellow) Walking Track this week. They have been out there in force getting absolutely stuck in tackling the vegetation.

This track is looking absolutely mint and ready for those longer forest missions getting your daily steps in. Whether you're after a gentle walk or a solid tramping session, Pohaturoa is calling your name! (were not done yet, we will be back!)

MUDPOOL TO TRIG LINK – FRESH & TIDY! 🧹🌿

The Mudpool To Trig Link had the full treatment on this week, so now you have even more was to mix and match trails to create loops of any length to suit your mood. Enjoy!!

FOREST LOOP LOVE 🌲❤️

The Forest Loop - Te Koromete Tītokorangi got some Monday morning minting by way of a blow and little vege trim up. Small efforts that make a massive difference!

UNEXPECTED TREE CLEARING MISSION – KEEPING IT SAFE🌳🪚

Thursday was tree clearing day after the hail smashed some trees to bits, and the crew absolutely smashed it back! Fern Drive, Katore Road, Baja, and Mossy Loop all got attention to make sure no dodgy branches are waiting to ruin your day. Cheers for the reports folks, much appreciated.

BIKE WASH STATION – LEGENDS TO THE RESCUE! 🚿🚲

Speaking of legends, we've got to give a MASSIVE chur to the absolute champions at Pipeline Industries Ltd (12 Ti Street, Rotorua) who've sorted out the busted, squirt-water-everywhere-except-where-you-want-it bike wash station at Waipa!

These legends popped down and completely overhauled it:

New 4.5 metre hoses with restriction nozzles

Fresh ball valves

Added 90-degree elbows so the hoses are way less likely to split

No more getting soaked when you just want to clean your bike! This is community in action, and we're so grateful. Next time you're cleaning your rig at Waipa, give a thought to the Pipeline crew who made it possible!

THIS WEEKEND – FESTIVAL VIBES! 🎉🌞

It's going to be a classic Rotorua Festival weekend, and the trails are going to be BUZZING!

TARAWERA ULTRA-TRAIL BY UTMB – THIS WEEKEND! 🏃‍♂️🔥

The legendary Tarawera Ultra-Trail is ON this weekend (14-15 February)! We're talking world-class trail runners smashing out distances from 14km all the way up to the MONSTER 163km TMiler night race!

The courses wind through the most stunning scenery imaginable – 8 different lakes, waterfalls, and the lushest native NZ forests. Runners will be out there on trails through the Redwoods, around the lakes, and deep into the Whakarewarewa Forest.

Please come out and cheer them on! These legends are tackling everything from beginner-friendly 14km runs to absolute suffer-fests. The energy, the community, the aroha – it's what makes Rotorua special!

Check out all the details at tarawera.utmb.world

ROTORUA MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB – LOW KEY SUPER D! 🚵‍♂️💨

And on Sunday, the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club is running their "Low Key Super D" race on Minerals!

Super D is that perfect mix of competitive enough to get the blood pumping but relaxed enough to just give it a bash for the fun of it.

Check their Facebook page for all the details and come along to watch or race!

YOU MAKE THIS POSSIBLE! 💚🌏

Every ride, every walk, every volunteer hour, every donation – it all adds up to something special. The Whaka is world-class because of people like you who care enough to give back.

If you're feeling the stoke and want to help keep this magic alive, consider adopting a trail, joining a working bee, or chucking a few dollars our way. Every bit helps keep the dream alive!

www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz for 3 click donation. Every bit counts!

Get out there this week, enjoy the fruits of everyone's labour, soak up that festival energy, and remember – you're part of something pretty bloody special!

Aroha nui,

– The crew at Rotorua Trails Trust