The Full Story
THE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The Full Story
THE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Any unauthorized trail building and trail work in the Whakarewarewa Forest will result in trespass from the forest and potential prosecution.
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If you’re handy with a trail building tool, we understand you may want to get involved with trail development. However, there is a process and you can’t just start turning the dirt as it’s iwi-owned land. Read on for the appropriate process and how you can volunteer to get involved.
Some trail building history:
Part of why the Rotorua MTB Club was originally formed in 1993 and why the Rotorua Trails Trust exists today, is to facilitate building trails with full iwi landowner consent and a long-term strategy for keeping the trails open and maintained to the correct standard.
FOREST OWNERSHIP AND MANAGMENT STRUCTURE
Here is an overview of the forest ownership and management structure, as well as the official process for pitching new trail ideas. We’d love keen trail builders to get involved on Rotorua Trails Trust Volunteer Dig Days too.
PROPOSALS
Before submiting a trail proposal many factors, other than it would be a sick track, must be considered. Without considering all involved forest partners, there is little chance of a trail being approved for development.
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Once you have fully read and understand the criteria and are sure your proposal fits the brief, fill in a proposal and email it to:
FUNDING
Building a trail is expensive. Maintaining a trail is vital. Although there might be a fantastic proposal for a trail, a thorough financial plan of how much the trail will cost to build AND maintain for at least 5 years must be included.
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Where is the funding going to come from?
WHO DECIDES?
Once per year, new trail plans are presented for consideration to the Whakarewarewa and Titokorangi Forest Recreation Committee (made up of Central North Island Iwi Holdings Limited, Mana whenua, Timberlands Limited & Rotorua Lakes Council) to apply for formal consent.
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The Whakarewarewa and Titokorangi Forest Recreation Committee makes its consideration on whether a new trail idea is approved based on factors including cultural values/impact, safety and environmental effect.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
The process can take anywhere from a few weeks, to a few months. Some trail proposals may be delayed logging, weather and funding so it can take years from the proposal to the implementation stage.
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If everything is approved with funding in place and a proposal ticks all the boxes things move much faster.
I SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL BUT NEVER HEARD ANYTHING, WHAT'S GOING ON?
The trail proposal process operates on an annual cycle, which means it may take considerable time before you receive feedback.
Here's what might be happening:
Your proposal is being thoughtfully considered by the committee. Some excellent ideas require extensive planning, environmental assessments, or may need to be integrated with future projects.
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Many successful trail developments actually emerge as combinations of multiple proposals rather than implementing a single idea exactly as submitted.
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Every proposal has value—even those that don't move forward immediately. Your suggestions spark important conversations and help us understand community priorities and interests.
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Some common reasons proposals may experience delays:
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Budget constraints (we currently face challenges maintaining our existing trail network)
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Technical feasibility issues
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Land use permissions
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Alignment with broader planning objectives
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We appreciate your contribution to improving our trail system, and your patience as we work through the evaluation process
