The Hawke’s Bay Trails cycling and walking network received a significant funding boost today.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today in Hawke’s Bay $1.3 million dollars in government funding to create an extra 34.5 kilometres of trails around Napier and Hastings. The funding will be used on three projects costing an estimated $3.6 million. The cost will be split between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and local councils, over the five years from 2018 to 2022, with close collaboration with New Zealand Transport Agency and the local community.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism General Manager Annie Dundas welcomes this funding to help grow and improve Hawke’s Bay Trails.
“We have been working with the local councils and government for some time on the business case behind this funding, so we’re very pleased with this contribution and the opportunity to now improve the safety and size of our popular cycle network,” says Ms Dundas.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Cycle Network Co-ordinator Vicki Butterworth says this is great news for Hawke’s Bay Trails, which have become so popular with locals and visitors alike.

“There were more than 600,000 trips recorded across the Hawke’s Bay Trails network last year, with research indicating 60% of trail use is by locals and 40% by visitors to the region,” says Mrs Butterworth.

The three projects to gain funding are:
• An 7.5km trail extension from Bay View to Whirinaki as far as PanPac Eskdale mountain bike park
• A 16 km trail extension by Ngaruroro River
• An 11 km trail connecting Havelock North to local wineries at Bridge Pa

She says the main safety benefits come from diverting cyclists away from busy, narrow roads, with a better, quieter experience for trail users.

Hawke’s Bay Trails officially opened in 2012 and consists of nearly 200 km of off-road cycle trails. Meandering around and between Napier and Hastings, Hawke’s Bay Trails are mostly flat - a river and coastal network of pathways, connecting seamlessly to iWay networks in Napier and Hastings. The trails are funded and maintained by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hastings District Council and Napier City Council.

Hawke's Bay Trails was one of seven trails to get funding from Round 10 of the government's funding programme to Maintain the Great Rides, which form part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Today's announcement will create an extra 34.5 kilometres of trails around Napier and Hastings.

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