The Hauraki-Coromandel tourism sector is set for a boost, with Government funding helping reopen key cycling infrastructure and attract visitors back to the region after severe summer weather.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said more than $300,000 has been allocated for urgent repairs to the Hauraki Rail Trail, allowing it to safely reopen in time for the autumn visitor season.
“Repairing these trails ensures they can continue to drive regional tourism, support local businesses, and provide high-quality outdoor recreation experiences,” Upston said.
The trail, a major drawcard for visitors to the Coromandel and wider Hauraki region, was damaged during storms in January, impacting access at the height of the summer tourism period.
In addition to infrastructure repairs, the Government has committed $55,000 in targeted marketing to promote Hauraki-Coromandel as a destination, aimed at rebuilding visitor confidence and encouraging both domestic and international travellers to return.
“As regions recover from summer storms, it’s important we support tourism businesses to welcome visitors back,” Upston said.
Hauraki Rail Trail CEO Diane Drummond welcomed the initial investment, which allowed the Trust to open the Trail before Easter. “Without the ministerial support, we would still be closed between Paeroa and Waihi. The Trail does require more investment to bring it back to where it was pre-storm, and this number is still being worked out, and we know it’s large, ” she said.
The investment is part of a wider package supporting New Zealand’s Great Rides network, which attracts more than two million users each year and contributes significantly to regional economies.
Local operators are expected to benefit as the trail reopens, with autumn shaping up as a key period to draw visitors back to the Coromandel’s landscapes, towns and hospitality sector.
