Planning for future connectivity is the driver behind the Wairoa District Council’s Te Rautaki mō te Hikoikoi me te Eke Paihikara Walking and Cycling Strategy.

Council is seeking feedback from the community on how people would like walking and cycling to be integrated into the Wairoa district in the future.

The Walking and Cycling Strategy is an expression of the vision and goals the Council has for walking and cycling in the Wairoa community and outlines key goals centred around connectivity, safety, ease, availability, awareness and healthy lifestyle choices.

The strategy identifies key partners, recognising that Council is but one agency in a network of partners jointly responsible for promoting and delivering improved walking and cycling opportunities and uptake in our community.

The Wairoa district offers diverse and exciting opportunities for walking and cycling, from getting around day to day to recreational activities to destination tourism attractions.

Wairoa’s size makes it possible to integrate walking and cycling into everyday life, whether as a commuting or recreational activity. This is a great advantage for our community, as walking and cycling can play a crucial role in keeping our citizens healthy. Beyond the health benefits, walking and cycling is good for the environment, and an affordable way to get around.

The Walking and Cycleway Strategy sets the scene for walking and cycling in the district. Since the strategy was implemented, there has been an extension to the Wairoa River Walkway to the Whakamahia Beach Reserve and construction of the Wairoa Mountain Bike Park. 

“We have a number of existing high quality off-road walking pathways in Wairoa, including the Wairoa Township Riverside Walk and Cycleway and the Sir James Carroll Walkway. Wairoa is a great base for undertaking one of New Zealand’s Great Walks at Lake Waikaremoana and is close to both Te Reinga Falls Scenic Reserve and Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve. The wider Hawke’s Bay region provides access to several cycling trails that are becoming well known.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Kitea Tipuna said for cycling and walking to be integrated into the district’s future it’s important to find out now just how important cycling and walking opportunities are for our people.

“This is not about funding; it is purely about hearing the aspirations of our people. If feedback is that people want more walking and cycling tracks, then that is vital information for us to have and can be factored into any future planning.

“We look forward to hearing your thoughts at https://www.consultations.nz/wdc/walking-and-cycling-strategy/

The engagement period will run until 30 June 2022.

27 May 2022

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