Update: Kerikeri / Waipapa Cycling Working Group

September 2022

As you will recall, we put a call out in May to bring together people who wanted to get involved with improving cycling opportunities in Kerikeri and Waipapa.  We had a great group of people join together with a common interest in unlocking the potential in Kerikeri for cycling – from direct routes (getting from A to B), recreational (off street cycling such as along riverside esplanades) and tourism (longer journeys between towns).  Over the past month, the team have met with:

• Department of Conservation to discuss potential recreational trails and potential connections to help with urban routes.

• Northland Transport Alliance (NTA) and Keith Kent, Senior Transport Plan from Far North District Council to discuss urban shared paths/footpaths and routes, how they get prioritised, funded and selected.  NTA is a collaboration between Waka Kotahi and the 3 councils – Kaipara, Whangārei, Far North District Council and NRC.  Councillor Ann Court also attended.

• An initial fact finding meeting with Councillor Kelly Stratford regarding the Waitangi to Kerikeri link that had been mooted some time back.  The group believes this link is a critical link to any potential tourism trails that involve Kerikeri.

The team is continuing to fact find, research and come to grips with how the system works.  Our goal is to be ready with an integrated masterplan for any opportunities that may come up (and we know there are some coming), by working positively with stakeholders and collaborating with Council in creating or influencing strategies moving forward.  If you would like to join the group and become part of the change, email annika@wwc.co.nz