WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲12 November 2026

Kia ora whānau!!

from dry and dusty to the most impressive amount of big fat water drops falling in vast quantities from big dark thunder clouds I have ever seen. it really was breath taking to watch. i love that. while man plans, nature laughs.

Before we get into it, just wanna give a HUGE shout out to all the vollys and all the runners and walkers from last weekends event! epic weather and you all toughed it out and made an incredible event even better! From the prep, to showing up at the start line, all the way to the finish line and the the clean up, incredible effort, chur to all of you.

⚠️ OK AND NOW THE SAD NEWS.....THE RIVER JUMPS ARE CLOSED

they were just opened. they were looking incredible. and then the rain came.

were maybe an inch deep. we went back the next day to work on the drainage — and they were knee deep. one night of rain. that's how fast freshly moved soil can go from mint to absolutely cooked when the heavens open.

The River jumps are closed again until the soil firms up properly. then we'll be getting the digger back in — reworking the drainage, making it more robust, making it right. this trail deserves to be done properly and that's exactly what's going to happen.

it's gutting. but it's the right call. and it'll be better for it 💪

DO NOT PULL DOWN THE TAPE. It puts the next people at risk cos they might try ride the jumps. NOT COOL.

We have been checking the forest for issues, but with 315km of trails to check theres no way we can get to everything.

🙏 WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU THIS WEEKEND

this is the bit where we ask for your help.

1) MAKE THE FIRST LAP A CHILL ONE.

there will be debris. there will be new ruts you are not expecting. there will be surprises on trails you've ridden a hundred times.

slow down on that first lap eh.

2) KICK OUT A PUDDLE.

see a blocked drain with a puddle?

stop. lean your bike somewhere out of the way. kick the back of the drain out with your heel and let that water go. honestly — watching a puddle drain in real time is one of the great small joys of trail maintenance. goosebumps every time. real talk. give it a go.

3) THROW A CONE.

see a pine cone, a branch, some debris on trail?

chuck it off. takes three seconds. helps the next rider. that's all.

4) REPORT A HAZARD.

see a tree down or significant rain damage?

please report it on Trailforks — pin drop the location, add a photo if you can. by significant damage we mean anything that could grab a wheel and put someone off their bike. we will get right out there and fix it.

there are only a couple of us at RTT looking after 315 kilometers of trail. every report helps us priorities and get to the right spots fast. honest, we read all those reports and respond. if you are not a trailforks person, all good, shoot us a facebook message!🙏

REGISTERED TRAIL ADOPTERS

this is you call to action. this is why you offered to look after a trail. go clear the drains. go make it safe to ride. be the legend you know you are!

🛠️ WHAT THE CREW GOT DONE THIS WEEK

because even with all of that going on — the mahi never stops.

🌿 TE KŌTUKUTUKU EXTENSION — FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT, DIVERSION IN PLACE

the crew was back on this Forest Loop trail four days in a row clearing vegetation. There was some damage to the trail which has made it impassable, so unfortunately we have had to close a section. Follow the diversion signs down the road and onto Jeffs link.

DO NOT GO PAST THE BIG SIGN THAT SAYS TRAIL CLOSED.

Cant believe we have to say that. but yeah, the trails closed. so don't go past the sign eh.

🦅 EAGLE VS SHARK UPPER REBUILD — IT'S MOVING

drain culverts fabricated. bigger CAT digger organized. materials transported to site. the essential groundwork that happens before a trail rebuild gets underway is happening right now on Eagle vs Shark. something good is coming. to everyone who has helped fund this via the donation portal on www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz THANK YOU. This is possible because of you.👀

💚 TIM TAMS WORKING BEE — 24 VOLUNTEER HOURS

six legends showed up on Sunday for a working bee on Tim Tams and a section of No Brains. TWENTY FOUR volunteer hours of vegetation clearing, drains, and blowing.

that is community. that is love. that is exactly this place. chur to all six of you 🙏

THE REST OF THE WEEK

🌳 Whakarewarewa Walking Track / The Natives Section — vegetation cleared and new signage installed 🪧 Eagle vs Shark lower — blown out mid-week 💨 Te Pūtake o Tawa Running Track — vegetation and blowing 🌅 Creek — vegetation work 🌿

get out there. go easy. look after each other 💚

the forest will bounce back — it always does. the crew will be out all week doing what they do. and if you pitch in with a report, a drained puddle, or a bit of debris thrown off trail — you're part of making it happen too.

aroha nui, – the crew at Rotorua Trails Trust 🌲

👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz