WHAKA WEEKLY 🌲 19 Feb 2026

Kia ora whānau! What a week it's been! The sky has absolutely opened up on us, and the forest (thanks to year round blowing and drains work, not because we somehow "got lucky") bounced back amazingly well!

TARAWERA ULTRA-TRAIL BY UTMB – WHAT AN EVENT!! 🏃‍♂️💦🔥

Right, we have to start here because WOW. What an absolutely incredible weekend. The world-famous Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB came to our backyard and it basically turned into the most epic Tough Mudder you've ever seen in your life. The rain was hammering down, the trails were rivers and these incredible humans just kept going.

The grit, the determination, the sheer stubbornness of every single competitor out there had us absolutely gobsmacked.

Huge congratulations to all the finishers (and those who turned up and gave it a solid bash!) across all five races – you are all legends. But a special shout-out to the podium placers:

TMiler (163km) 🏔️

🥇 Men: Simon Cochrane 🇳🇿 | 🥇 Women: Devon Yanko 🇺🇸

🥈 Men: Yutaro Yokouchi 🇯🇵 | 🥈 Women: Hannah McRae 🇦🇺

🥉 Men: Takumi Sawayanagi 🇯🇵 | 🥉 Women: Sarah Parkins 🇦🇺

T102 (102km)

🥇 Men: Daniel Jones 🇳🇿 | 🥇 Women: Ruth Croft 🇳🇿

🥈 Men: Jacob Banta 🇺🇸 | 🥈 Women: Caitlin Fielder 🇳🇿

🥉 Men: Max Yanzick 🇳🇿 | 🥉 Women: Honoka Akiyama 🇯🇵

T50 (52km)

🥇 Men: Samuel Macaulay 🇳🇿 | 🥇 Women: Robyn Lesh 🇺🇸

🥈 Men: Charles Hamilton 🇦🇺| 🥈 Women: Jemima Cooper 🇬🇧

🥉 Men: Sam Rout 🇳🇿 | 🥉 Women: Julia Anderson 🇳🇿

T21 (23km)

🥇 Men: David Vernon 🇬🇧 | 🥇 Women: Katie Lowery 🇬🇧

🥈 Men: Michael Sutton 🇳🇿 | 🥈 Women: Lydia O'Donnell 🇳🇿

🥉 Men: Nathan Pearce 🇳🇿 | 🥉 Women: Katinka von Elsner-Wellsteed 🇦🇺

T14 (14km)

🥇 Men: Kotaro Nihei 🇯🇵 | 🥇 Women: Ayako Kusui 🇯🇵

🥈 Men: Steven Holloway 🇳🇿 | 🥈 Women: Fran Raemaekers 🇧🇪

🥉 Men: Andrew Marshall 🇳🇿 | 🥉 Women: Nicola Gonzalez 🇳🇿

To every single person who made it to the start line, you are heros, because heros show up. Rotorua is so proud to host this event and we hope you all fell in love with the forest as much as we have. Come back anytime!

NOW – the trail mahi that makes this place so amazing!

40 tasks, 123 hours, $6,960 worth of value given back to these trails. Let that sink in for a sec. Unreal. Here's every bit of it:

THURSDAY 12TH FEBRUARY – HAIL BOMB RESPONSE 🌳🪚

After the hail absolutely smashed us on Wednesday, catching some adopters out on trail running for cover, the RTT crew were out there first thing Thursday on a proper mission. Fern Drive, Katore Road, Baja, Mossy Loop, Gunna Gotta and more.... all got the treatment – chainsaws firing, branches shifted, hazards cleared.

Massive respect to the team for getting straight into it – you kept everyone safe and that's what it's all about.

Waitawa Link – Vegetation

While the chainsaw crew were going hard on the tree clearing, another set of hands was out on Waitawa Link tackling the green stuff. Vegetation clearance isn't glamorous work – it's hot, scratchy, and relentless – but Waitawa Link is all the better for it. Cheers for the mahi, truly appreciated!

The Natives Section, Whakarewarewa Walking Track (Black) – Tree Clearing (Adopter)

The legend adopter on the Natives Section of the Black Walking Track put in a massive effort tree clearing Thursday. There was a MASSIVE tree right over the trail that was super difficult to scramble over, and the adopter (certified operator with a spotter of course) has fixed it right up! The walkers and runners who passed through during Tarawera weekend would have had no idea how much love went into making their experience so special – but we know, and we're incredibly grateful. Chur chur!

Box of Birds – Vegetation (Adopter)

Box of Birds got some Thursday adopter aroha with a solid vege clearance session. This trail lives up to its name when it's flowing sweet, and thanks to your efforts it's doing exactly that. You're a gem – keep doing what you're doing!

FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 🖤

The Verry Safe Trail – Drains

Friday the 13th and the paid crew were out making sure The Verry Safe Trail lives up to its name! Drain work is some of the most important maintenance we do – get the water off the trail and the trail lasts forever, neglect the drains and you're fighting a losing battle. Cheers to the team for keeping the water where it belongs – off the trail and into the bush!

Dragon's Tail – Trail Review

Dragon's Tail got a proper trail review on Friday which is an essential part of managing a Trail network this big! Knowing exactly what a trail needs before the work happens means every dollar and every hour goes where it counts. Thanks for the thorough look-over –

DRAGON'S TAIL IS NOW OPEN!!!!

Woohoo!!! Thanks to all the volunteer hours that went it repairing and restoring this trail to get her open again! Epic effort, and we now have a fantastic Grade 4 link track back in the roster of amazing trails. Stoked.

SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY – VALENTINES DAY 💕

Talk about a labour of love on Valentine's Day! Ten volunteer hours on Hemo Gorge – TEN! While most people were out buying flowers and chocolates, these absolute legends were out giving the forest their love. The Hemo Gorge Trail is looking stunning and it's entirely thanks to selfless volunteers like you who give up their weekend for the good of the community. You absolute champions – aroha nui!

Box of Birds – Surface Repairs (Adopter)

Box of Birds got even more love on Saturday with some surface repair work from the adopter crew. Back-to-back days of effort on this trail – incredible dedication. The surface repairs will make a real difference to how the trail rides, and every rider who hits it with a smile on their face has you to thank for it. Legend!

G Rock & As You Do – Vegetation (Adopters and Shuttle Drivers!)

Both G Rock and As You Do got adopter/volly vegetation clearance on Saturday. Two trails, two legends, one day. While the Tarawera runners were out there pushing their limits, these adopters were out there quietly doing the work that makes these trails world-class. We don't take that for granted for even a second – thank you both so much!

MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY – THE BIG PUSH 💪

Dual Slalom Track – Tree Clearing & Vegetation

The Dual Slalom Track got a double hit on Monday – tree clearing and vege work to get it sorted after the wild weather. Whether you're a seasoned racer or just getting into it, the Dual Slalom is a blast thanks to the trail adopter who has put in countless hours on the trail. Go give it a lap!

Paddy's Run (A Trail) – Blowing & Vegetation

Six hours of work on Paddy's Run – blowing and vegetation – and what an investment that is! Paddy's is one of those trails that just puts a grin on your dial from start to finish, and the crew spent a solid Monday making sure it's in prime condition. If you haven't hit Paddy's recently, get out there this week – it's running a treat!

The Wash – Blowing, Drains & Vegetation

The Wash got the full treatment on Monday – blowing, drains, and vege. Six hours all up and every single one of them well spent. Drain maintenance on a trail called The Wash feels almost poetic, doesn't it? The crew nailed it and the trail is in great shape.

Bridle Horse Trail – Vegetation

Our Walking/Horse trails get a hard time in wet weather and the Bridle Horse Trail was no exception. The RTT crew got stuck into the vegetation on Monday and sorted it right out. Whether you're on two legs or four, this trail is ready for you – cheers to the team for keeping it open and beautiful!

Moerangi Road & Tikitapu Road – Tree Clearing

Post-storm tree clearing continued on Monday with Moerangi Road and Tikitapu Road both getting the chainsaw treatment. These access routes are the veins of the forest – keep them clear and everything else flows. Four hours of solid work between the two and they're back in safe condition. Much appreciated!

Pipeline Road – Tree Clearing

Pipeline Road had a big four-hour tree clearing session on Monday to get it back open for the poor shuttles who got turned around awkwardly on Monday morning. I am sure the tree feels terrible about where it landed, but is happily tucked back away in the bush again now. Sorry bout that!

Heckle and Ride – Tree Clearing

Heckle and Ride got some Monday tree clearing as well and is back in business. This trail deserves its name and the crew made sure it's in top nick to dish out the heckles. Go give it a crack it's extra spicey after rain! (just dont lock the breaks cos that how ya get those big old ruts, just send it bru!)

TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY ☁️

Radio Hut Lookout Trail (Teal) – Blowing & Vegetation

Six hours of blowing and vegetation clearance on the Teal track – one of the most rewarding walks/rides in the whole Whaka in my humble opinion. The Waipa Lookout on a clear day (we'll get one eventually, right?!) is absolutely stunning, and the trail crew have made sure the trail up there is worthy of the view. Massive effort, much appreciated!

Corners – Radius of the Lost Arcs – Trail Review

Corners got a thorough trail review on Tuesday. Always good to have fresh eyes on a trail and document exactly what's needed. This sets the crew up to do targeted, effective work in future – smart maintenance is good maintenance. Cheers for the time and attention to detail!

Te Mounga Happy Ending – Blowing & Vegetation

Te Mounga Happy Ending got four hours of blowing and vege work on Tuesday. This trail has some serious character, amking sure you finish your ride happy, and the crew made sure the riding lines are clear and the whole experience is what it should be. If you haven't ridden Te Mounga lately, it's calling your name!

Turkish Delight – Digger & Hand Build

Now we're talking!! Turkish Delight got a MASSIVE make over this week to restore it back to how it was built! Thanks to the trees now giving the trail a little protection, it is worth starting to restore. And if you think it is just "dumming it down"....may i cast you attention to the pictures attached? We are restoring it to its original style, by the original builders.

The crew who put this in are proper craftspeople and Turkish Delight is exactly how it should be, a progressive track. to hone your skills on or run laps to dial in you suspension. Masterclass in trail building and restoration, bravo!

Mossy Loop – Vegetation (Adopter)

Our Mossy Loop adopter snuck in a quick hour of vegetation clearance. Short and sweet but it all adds up!

WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY – WRAPPING UP THE WEEK 🌧️

Rocky to Ring – Vegetation

Four hours of vegetation clearance on Rocky to Ring on Wednesday – one of those great connectors that opens up all sorts of loop options. The crew did a lovely job and the trail/road is clear and rideable. Mix and match to your heart's content!

Windy Road – Vegetation

Six hours on Windy Road tackling the vegetation – and I bet it was living up to its name with the weather we've had! The Walking/Horse crew did a fantastic job and Windy Road is looking clean and inviting. Get out there for a walk this week and enjoy the fruits of their labour!

Forest Loop – Tarawera Road Trail – Blowing & Vegetation

To round out the week, the Forest Loop on the Tarawera Road section got a big old clean up from the Trail Crew with blowing and vegetation work on. This is one of of my personal favourite tracks with a good mix of ups and downs and the crew absolutely nailed it and the Forest Loop is in prime condition heading into the weekend. Get out there!

A BIG THANK YOU FROM THE LOGGING CREWS!

Thank you so much from the Kaingaroa Tipu crews who have said the EVERYONE has been incredible, really respecting trail closures and being super respectful of the work site closures. Thank you so much for doing the community proud!

YOU MAKE THIS MAGIC HAPPEN 💚🌏

After a week like this – wild weather, a world-class event, amazing adopters and trail crew – it's hard...nay, IMPOSSIBLE not to feel incredibly grateful to be part of this community. 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 get involved, consider adopting a trail, joining a working bee, or chucking a few dollars back into the forest to say THANK YOU!

Every bit keeps the dream alive!

👉 www.rotoruatrailstrust.co.nz – 3-click donation, every bit counts!

Get out there, enjoy what this incredible crew has built, and remember – you're part of something pretty bloody special.

Aroha nui,

– The crew at Rotorua Trails Trust 🌲