Rebuilding regional tourism after severe weather

The Government is investing more than $800,000 to repair three of New Zealand's Great Ride cycle trails following significant storm damage, plus marketing funding to aid regional tourism recovery, says Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.

"Repairing these trails ensures they can continue to drive regional tourism, support local businesses, and provide high-quality outdoor recreation experiences," Louise Upston says.

"An initial $300,000 is going toward immediate safety work on the Hauraki Rail Trail which is enabling it to reopen to cyclists in time to enjoy the changing autumn landscapes, following storm damage in January.

"The Waikato River Trail will receive $110,000 to help repair significant damage that occurred in February across 50 kilometres of the trail.

"Further south, Tasman's Great Taste Trail will receive almost $427,000 to reinstate the track between Wai-iti Reserve and Quail Valley Road, subject to final route confirmation. This adds to support provided last year and brings total Government investment in extreme-weather repairs on the trail to just over $2 million.

"The trail contributes around $34 million to the local economy each year, and this work will help ensure it continues to play that vital role.

"As regions recover from summer storms, it's important we support tourism businesses to welcome visitors back.

"Alongside infrastructure repairs, targeted marketing funding has also been approved to help affected regions rebuild visitor confidence and support tourism recovery following the January 2026 severe weather events in the upper North Island. This includes $55,000 for domestic and international marketing in Hauraki Coromandel and $10,000 for an autumn business-events marketing campaign in the Bay of Plenty.

"More than 2 million people enjoy the 23 Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails each year, contributing an estimated $1.28 billion to regional economies, and today's support helps regions keep welcoming visitors as they recover from severe weather.

"These trails are a long-standing partnership between central and local government and the communities that host them. Today's investment reinforces that commitment."