Cycle Trail a step closer to new governance model

New Zealand Cycle Trail a step closer to new governance model

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Establishment Advisory Board that has been set up to oversee the transition of the Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail, to a new governance entity, met for the first time last month.

A joint initiative between the Green Party and the Government, the New Zealand Cycle Trail is currently managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). Cabinet agreed late last year to steps to transition the on-going governance to a new entity that is driven by the trails themselves and progresses the shared objectives of growing regional and national economic benefits from the Great Rides.

Lisa Barrett, General Manager of Tourism, Sectors, Regions and Cities at MBIE, says the governance structure will enable the local organisations that built and now operate the regional trails to collectively lead the future development of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

“The Government invested $50m into the New Zealand Cycle Trail which was boosted by community contributions of $30m to create this remarkable and popular new tourism asset,” Mrs Barrett says.

“The role of the Establishment Advisory Board is to make sure government has a clear understanding of the needs of the Great Rides when we formally create the future governance entity. The board members represent the Trail network and bring regional and tourism experiences to assist with the set-up of this new entity.

“We anticipate that the new governance structure will take effect later this year and this will signal an important milestone for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. With 23 Great Rides expected to be completed in 2013, New Zealand now has the opportunity to market and operate a truly world class tourism and recreation asset. By shifting governance to the network of Great Rides, local people and groups will be key contributors to the growth of the network and the benefits the trails bring to their region.”

MBIE will continue to manage the contractual agreements for the cycle trails that are still under construction. The long term vision for the New Zealand Cycle Trail is of creating a nationwide cycling network that attracts more international visitors and gets more New Zealanders cycling.

MBIE, DOC, NZTA and Tourism NZ—as key stakeholders in the New Zealand Cycle Trail—would maintain close and supportive relationships with NZCT Inc to ensure government activity in areas such as destination marketing helps to grow the value of the Government’s investment in the Great Rides.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Establishment Advisory Board

The Establishment Advisory Board comprises:

· Richard Leggat (Chair)—Chair of BikeNZ and a Board member of Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand.

· Adair Craik—Chartered Accountant from Oamaru and the Alps 2 Ocean Trail representative.

· Neville Grubb—Managing Director of Trail Journeys and the Otago Central Rail Trail representative.

· Nigel Muir—CEO of Sport Tasman and the Dun Mountain and Tasman Great Taste Trails representative.

· Phil Rossiter—Group Sustainable Development Manager at Solid Energy and the Old Ghost Road Trail representative.

· Kathy Sheldrake—Event Management Company Director from Gisborne and the Motu Trail (Opotiki) representative.

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