Tukituki cycle trail extension

The existing Tukituki Trail is already popular with families and visitors.

The existing Tukituki Trail runs by the Tukituki River between Waipukurau and the neighbouring town of Waipawa.

The extension project will create another 12 kilometres on the other side of the river connected by a new bridge, along with 10 kilometres of mountain bike trails in a nearby reserve.

The Provincial Development Unit (PDU) is providing funding of $750,000 for the project as part of the government’s $100 million Worker Redeployment Package announced in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

The extension is aimed at improving an already popular route and boosting tourism by adding another drawcard to attract visitors.

It will eventually form an important part of the 263 kilometre Route 52 Heartland ride linking Hawke’s Bay with Wairarapa.

Cycle trails make a significant contribution to the Hawke’s Bay economy, with 2015 research showing more domestic visitors use the region’s cycle trails than international tourists and spend more than $10 million a year during their visit.

Local workers and their families will also benefit because the PDU funding is provided on the basis the project will provide jobs for locals, particularly Māori and Pasifika.

Over the next six months, the project will provide 12 jobs for redeployed workers.  Around 80% of those jobs will go to locals and half to Māori and Pasifika.

As a minimum, all workers will all be paid the living wage and provided with individualised pastoral care to help them achieve sustainable employment.