Full Feasibility Study Report - Far North District Council

MEETING DEMANDS
The whole experience is important (NZ Cycleway Market Research Sep 2009)
“The overall experience is critical to providing a quality cycle tourism product, and this goes beyond
the trail itself to include accommodation, services, facilities and other complementary activities.”
The Maori culture and heritage theme is a strong element of the experiences the Far North cycleway
offers. With the early arrivals of the whalers, sealers and missionaries, the signing of the Treaty of
Waitangi in the Bay of Islands and the second signing in the Hokianga, there are a lot of stories to be
told along the Far North Cycleway. The old railway track was built on the ancient pathways and
trails the Maori used to travel from East to West from coast to coast. The same trails were used
later by the missionaries.
Mehemea e hara koe no Rahiri he mea waewae wha
(If you cannot trace your lineage to Rahiri then you must be born of a creature with more than two legs).
The Ngapuhi are a proud tribe. All of the chiefly lines of Ngapuhi trace descent through Rahiri and
his two sons, Uenuku and Kaharau. The Mana of the descendants of Uenuku extends from the Bay
of Islands to the heart of the mid north Kaikohe, whilst the Mana of the descendants of Kaharau
extends from the Kaikohe through to the Hokianga. As a result of these genealogies it is commonly
agreed that Rahiri is now the eponymous ancestor of the Ngapuhi nation. The geothermal area of
Taiamai and Kaikohe is commonly referred to as Te Puu O Te Wheke – the heart of the octopus ‐
likening Ngapuhi to a giant octopus, whose arms extend throughout the land.
A Pou Pou (large carved statue) trail is to be developed along the Far North cycleway. There is a Pou
Pou already in Opua. It is suggested that there be eight Pou Pou (eight arms of the octopus)
connecting both coasts, with the heart in Kaikohe. The Pou Pou will promote story telling. Ancient
stories of ancient histories, embracing all cultures and weaving together the past, the present and
the future.
The culture, coast to coast and heritage element will be evident in the accommodation, food and
activities available: e.g. waka tours and marae stays, colonial B&B, mobile hangi, Tuna Café in
Moerewa, steam train from Opua to Kawakawa. There is an opportunity to develop or enhance
cultural activities, accommodation and heritage sites along the trail.
One of Northland’s unique selling points is the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. The Far North
Cycleway will connect the two coasts; there will be a non motorised travel corridor between the Bay
of Islands and the Hokianga. There is a well established tourism industry in the Bay of Islands, and a
smaller but well established tourism industry in the Hokianga. The trail will open up opportunities
for land based activities along the corridor, e.g. transport, bike hireage, guided services, other
adventures, etc.
The Bay of Islands Walkways Trust is developing a free walking track which should be completed
within the next year. The track links Okiato (a ferry ride from Opua) and Russell (a very historic
town). Features:
- Access to coastal, wetland, mature bush and boardwalk mangrove vistas
- Access to rare bird habitats
- Closely passing historic sites and traversing a thermal spring
- Already widely used by locals and school groups
- Adoptive interest by locals in accessing hitherto inaccessible land tracts, and willingly joining
the community‐spirited maintenance sessions
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