Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy announced by Council

At their August 14 meeting, Kaipara District Council adopted the 2017 Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy which has been prepared to provide a framework to increase walking and cycling participation in the Kaipara district.

The strategy

The vision of the Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy is ‘Working together to enhance walking and cycling in Kaipara’.

The three key focus areas of the strategy are:

1. Becoming a walking and cycling destination to support economic growth, and provide transport and lifestyle choices;

2. Partner with key stakeholders and community to deliver walking and cycling projects and behaviour change initiatives;

3. Develop district-wide and township walking and cycling networks that are safe, enduring and connect with nature.

“The Kaipara has the potential to be the walking and cycling capital of the country with its spectacular coastlines, beautiful native forest clad hills, quiet back roads, and under-used walking tracks,” says Gordon Hosking of the Mangawhai Tracks Trust. “We just need to build on what we already have, and promote it to the rest of the world. The Walking and Cycling Strategy gives us the road map – I hope we can now get out there and follow it.”

John Gardiner, Northland Advisor of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission notes the Kaipara district is blessed with an abundance of stunning scenic attractions, especially the Kauri coast from the Hokianga to Pouto Peninsula and across to Mangawhai and the strategy captures these in a number of exciting projects.

“The approved Walking and Cycling Strategy is impressive and the Kaipara District Council should be congratulated for pulling it all together. I think the short term and highest priority list which focuses on the Kaipara’s point of difference is spot on. To gain the maximum benefits for Kaipara District communities, a focus on those projects which will fire-up people to make it a “must do” walking/cycling challenge, is certainly the way to go.”

The walking and cycling trails are also expected to open up new business opportunities in the accommodation, transport, and food sectors, as well as boost established businesses across the whole district.

General Manager Community of Kaipara District Council, Venessa Anich, says they are proud to present the Walking and Cycling Strategy, and to action it across the district.

“The benefits of walking and cycling have been so well documented, and have such great effects on the communities they travel near, for both business and social benefits. We look forward to implementing some of the big projects that are mentioned for both coasts, and seeing some real uptake from both locals and visitors to the district.”

n The Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 2017 is available to view online at kaipara.govt.nz.

“The Kaipara has the potential to be the walking and cycling capital of the country with its spectacular coastlines, beautiful native forest clad hills, quiet back roads, and under-used walking tracks.”

- Gordon Hosking, Mangawhai Tracks Trust