7 September 2021
Completion of a 60km walking and cycling path between Ngāruawāhia and Karapiro in the Waikato will provide significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the region.
Te Awa | The Great New Zealand River Ride, to be completed late 2021, is designed for all ages and abilities, encouraging people to choose healthier, more environmentally friendly ways to move between cities and towns along the path. In fact, it’s estimated that 300,000 people are already using the trail each year.
Photo courtesy of Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust.
The completed path is also expected to bring economic benefits to the area. It’s estimated the path could create an additional $19 million in tourism revenue each year from visitors and local events that make use of the trail.
The final 20km of path being built now between Hamilton and Cambridge is split by State Highway 21 (SH21), an important link to Hamilton Airport. An underpass will be built to make crossing SH21 safe and to provide a connection to Tamahere. In some places, this path will run alongside local roads. In others it will follow the previously inaccessible banks of the Waikato River.
Olympic cyclist and gold medallist Sarah Ulmer, Trustee of Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust, says completing the final section of Te Awa will bring massive benefits to cyclists and others in the region.
“We’re delighted to be underway with last section of Te Awa, which will see the entire path completed later this year. Te Awa is already one of New Zealand’s busiest cycleways and cycling just keeps growing across the country.”
The path is funded through the 2018–21 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. Hamilton City Council, Waipā District Council, Waikato District Council, Waikato Regional Council, Waka Kotahi and Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust have partnered to complete Te Awa.
As part of the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme $180 million will be invested on work that improves transport options and helps reduce carbon emissions across the Waikato region.
