WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲 16 July 2026
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
Kia ora whānau!!
what. a. long weekend.
the drone show. the muddy fun runs. the hikers with the weighted packs going hard. the trail runners absolutely flying through the forest. the horse riders clip-clopping along in the early morning mist. and the mountain bikers – oh the mountain bikers – all over the trails from first light till last.
Rotorua was absolutely buzzing and if you were part of it – welcome, thank you, and we hope you are already planning the next trip back 💚
💚 A LITTLE SOMETHING BEFORE WE GET INTO IT
if you were here this weekend and you loved the trails, the map boards, the signage, the general feeling of riding or walking in a world class forest that is this well looked after by everyone, did you notice, did you take time to appreciate, that it is free to access. completely free. that is remarkable and we never want that to change.
but free to access is not free to exist. the signs cost money to print and install. the maintenance is constant and expensive. the crew who keep the trails world class are real people with real jobs funded by donations and grants. when the map boards get a bit of extra love (yes, we know about that one 👀) – that costs money to fix too.
if you want this place to stay free, to stay world class, to keep getting better – the easiest thing you can do is set up a $10 monthly contribution. three clicks. done. it adds up to something real. not just for you, but for EVERYONE. you arent just giving $10 so YOU can love this place, but so we can ALL love this place for decades, maybe even generations to come.
👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz – donate, set up a monthly contribution, or just share this post so someone else can. every action counts.
and now – let's talk about all the incredible people who give back to this forest every single week 👇
🌟 THE COMMUNITY LEGENDS – ADOPTERS THIS WEEK
Challenge Roadside – Surface Repairs 🛠️
the Challenge Roadside adopter was out on Saturday – on a long weekend, in the middle of school holidays – doing surface repairs. three trails, one legend, never stops. if riding through Challenge Roadside this weekend and it feels smooth and dialled in, this is the person behind it. chur, absolute legend 💚
Tarawera Return (Pipeline/Windy Rd to Tank) – Trail widening ⛽
the Tarawera Return adopter got out on Sunday and did the mahi they had been wanting to do for ages, trail widening! this is a trail that takes a hiding from weather and use and the adopter just quietly keeps it in great nick. go ride it, walk it or run it. and think of the legend who was out there on their Sunday. chur bur, we appreciate ya 🙏
Dragon's Tail – Drains 🐉
Dragon's Tail drains got sorted on Sunday by the adopter. drainage is the invisible work that keeps a trail alive long term and this adopter gets it. chur!
Hemo Gorge – Ongoing Surface Repairs 🦁
have i told you the story about the trail user who wished a track was better and decided it was THEM who would be the one to make it so? this is the Hemo Gorge adopter. There were out on Monday, have have been out almost weekly, doing surface repairs, vegetation clearing and all round sprinkling there mahi magic on one of the most highly used network trails in Roto. we owe this adopter ALOT of gratitude. 🌿
💼 THE PROFESSIONAL TRAIL CREW – REAL JOBS, REAL MAHI
donations to RTT don't just go into materials and machines – they employ local people in real jobs doing work that matters. here's what the crew delivered this week:
Signs Up on the New Trails! 🪧
Thursday was a big day – signage went up on Tuhoto Ariki, Billy T, Underbilly, and Te Mounga. that's the moment a trail goes from "almost ready" to officially OPEN. signs are up, trails are live, get out there 🎉
Pohaturoa (Yellow) Walking Track 🚶♀️
the entire yellow track has been getting a tickle up over the last week: vegetation cleared, drains sorted, surface repairs and blown top to bottom. this is a beautiful after-work sunset walk and it is in absolutely pristine condition right now. highly recommended 🌄 oh and the "bit too boggy" bits are on our list of projects to fix up. for now, enjoy the adventure and embrace nature 😛
Forest Loop – Tangaroa-mihi 🌲
Tangaroa-mihi has now had its annual top to bottom makeover: vegetation, drains, surface repairs and blowing.....then tree clearing and a reblow cos nature had other plans lol. this section of the Forest Loop is immaculate. if doing the loop this weekend, you will feel the difference. next up is the mammoth Te Kōtukutuku section 🌲 world class trails require world class maintenance
Underbilly – Surface Repairs 🏔️
the crew was out on Monday doing surface repair work on Underbilly to make sure the brand new trail beds in perfectly. this is what proper trail management looks like – the build is just the beginning. the ongoing care is what makes it last. Underbilly is riding beautifully 🤙
Te Mounga – Surface Repairs & Blowing 🌿
Te Mounga is back open, so to match the new top bit, it got surface repairs on Monday and then blowing and more surface repair work on Tuesday. the new trail is getting the attention it needs to settle in properly and is riding great top to bottom. If you are a Grade 4 rider and love a bit of native, a bit of flow, line choice and side hits, go ride it. it is something special right now.
Trail Inspections 🔍
the crew walked Rocky Horror, Yellow Brick Road, Soakhole Climb, Te Rua, and Eagle vs Shark this week – assessing conditions and planning what comes next. Eagle vs Shark lower is open and the inspection is all part of making sure it stays that way. watch this space on the upper rebuild 👀 if you have every asked "when is (insert trail name) opening again?" the answer is: when it gets funding. so....donate 🙂
🧭 COMING UP – GREAT FOREST ROGAINE! 25 JULY 26
the last weekend of school holidays is going to be an absolute cracker – and not just because the weather is looking mint.
the 2026 Great Forest Rogaine is on and it is one of the best events the forest hosts all year. new terrain, new tracks to explore, and the same incredible mix of fun, challenge, and adventure that has made this NZ's most popular rogaine.
what is a rogaine? teams of 2–4 navigate to as many checkpoints as possible within the time limit. the more you find, the higher your score. it's part race, part adventure, part puzzle, and entirely brilliant. for real, doing this event last year completley change the way I explore the forest and took me places i had never even been before. it is amazing fun! you HAVE to do it!
four event options:
🏃 GFR Foot 3 – 3 hour walk/run, all abilities, all ages
🏃 GFR Foot 6 – 6 hour walk/run, more challenge
🚵 GFR Bike 3 – 3 hour MTB, all abilities, all ages
🚵 GFR Adventure 6 – 6 hour MTB with off-bike sections, adventure race feel
teams: 2–4 people. youth, junior, open, veteran, family, and e-bike categories all available.
entries close Sunday 19 July – so get in fast. there's a small number of on-the-day entries for 3-hour events only.
and here's a nice touch – OBOP donates $2 per entry to the Rotorua Trails Trust so entering is literally giving back to the trails you'll be riding and running through. love it.
👉 www.obop.org.nz/great-forest-rogaine-2026.html – enter here, details here, bring your mates.
the weather is looking amazing for the last weekend of the holidays. what better way to finish it off than getting lost in the forest on purpose with your crew 🌲🧭
☀️ THE VIBE THIS WEEKEND
the school holidays are only half way through, the weather is brilliant, the new trails are open and riding beautifully, the forest is in immaculate condition, and the Great Forest Rogaine is around the corner.
get out there. enjoy every single metre of it. and if you can – donate. it keeps all of this alive.
aroha nui,
– the crew at rotorua trails trust 🌲