๐ต/๐ฑ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ - ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ โ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐
Following the significant weather damage caused by the extreme rain event in February this year, weโre pleased to share that repair work is progressing really well along the Waikato River Trails.
โ
The Whakamaru section repairs are now completed
โ
Contractors have made excellent progress through the Maraetai section
A huge thank you to the team at Action Bobcats Ltd for their continued hard work on site, J Swap Contractors Ltd for donated aggregate, Skiffington Transport for haulage, and Caleb Vasta for earthworks. We would also like to thank the landowners adjacent to the trail for continuing to provide access for this work to be carried out.
We would also like to acknowledge the financial assistance provided through MBIE following the extreme weather events, which has helped make these repairs possible.
We really appreciate the hard work, support, and collaboration from everyone involved as we continue restoring affected sections of the trail.
More updates to come as work progresses north ๐คฉ
#trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
๐ฃ24/04/2026 - Trail Update
The heavy rain in mid February caused damage at over 50 sites along the trail. Over the past couple of months, weโve been busy assessing the damage, understand the cost to repair, securing funding, and engaging contractors.
We are really pleased to share that repair work is now underway, starting at Atiamuri and moving north.
Thanks to the team at Action Bobcats Ltd for their hard work on site, J Swap Contractors Ltd for donated aggregate, Skiffington Transport for haulage and Caleb Vasta for earthworks. Also a big thank you to the landowners adjacent to the trail for providing access for this work.
More updates over the comping weeks ๐คฉ
#Trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
๐ง ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ป๐ถ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ โ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ
Just a quick heads up for trail users:
The Arapuni Swing Bridge can currently be accessed from the Arapuni side only - however, it is closed at the far end, so it is not possible to ride or walk through to Powerhouse Road.
Works being carried out by Mercury mean the bridge is temporarily a return-only access point.
Please follow all signage on site and plan your ride accordingly.
#trailupdate
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๐ฃ๐ญ๐ณ/๐ฐ/๐ฎ๐ฒ - ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ
Our contractor will begin repair work on sections of the trail affected by the February storms starting this Monday 20th April.
Work will start on the Whakamaru section at the Atiamuri end, progressing towards Mangakino and into the Waipapa section over the coming weeks.
Please be aware that contractors will be working on the trail, with signage in place where work is underway. For your safety and theirs, please follow all instructions and take care when riding or walking through these areas.
Thank you for your patience while we carry out these important repairs.
#trailupdate
Well its been a busy couple of days - we have been through and checked both the Karapiro and Whakamaru sections over the last couple of days, clearing any fallen debris along the way.
But this afternoon we have had a heads-up about a branch down on the Karapiro section, about 1km from Little Waipa Reserve.
Just a reminder that things can change out there, so if youโre heading out, please take a bit of extra care and keep an eye out for any hazards.
If you do come across anything that needs attention, we really appreciate you letting us know๐
#trailupdate
The boss has been out on the trail today, completing a trail check from Mangakino to Whakamaru.
Everything along this section has been checked over, with the remaining sections scheduled to be completed during the week.
Please note there is still some damage from the February weather event. Repairs are scheduled, and we will advise when this work is due to take place.
If youโre out riding or walking in the other sections and come across anything new that needs attention, please let us know - we really appreciate the heads up!
Weโll keep you posted with any further updates and stay safe!
#trailupdate
๐ง ๐ฌ๐ต/๐ฌ๐ฐ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ โ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง
We have been advised by roading crews that cyclists are still attempting to access the closed Waipapa Road section.
โ ๏ธ Please note: this area is CLOSED for your safety. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ก๐ข ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น (๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ, ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐บ) ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐.
โ No trail access
โ Waipapa Road is also CLOSED โ no through access by road or trail
Road closure details:
๐ง From approx. 7km north of Mangakino through to just south of Waipapa Dam
๐ Please use alternative routes and allow extra travel time
๐ดโโ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ (๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ป๐ถ):
๐ Darby Road
๐ Lake Arapuni Road
๐ Wiltsdown Road
๐ Paraonui Road
๐ Into Tokoroa
๐ Continue towards Whakamaru / Mangakino
This closure follows the significant February storm event, which caused extensive damage including slips, washouts, and trail scouring across multiple sites.
Trail repair planning is well underway, with assessments completed and contractors engaged.
Thank you for your patience and for respecting the closure while we work to safely restore the trail.
#trailupdate
๐งTrail Advisory โ Maize Harvesting ๐ง
Roads affected: Huirimu Road / Waipapa Road (Arapuni Section)
We've been advised that maize harvesting along the unsealed section of Huirimu Road and down Waipapa Road ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ (weather permitting).
During this time, there will be convoys of trucks travelling on these roads, which will impact on visibility and accessibility for trail users.
Harvesting is expected to take approx 2โ3 days.
Please take extra care if riding through this section, and consider planning your ride accordingly.
#trailupdate
If youโve been out on the Waikato River Trails recently, weโd love your feedback.
Weโre working towards 500 completed surveys to help secure funding for ongoing maintenance and improvements.
It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.
๐ Share your feedback here: www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
Thank you for supporting the trails.
#news
ANZAC Weekend on the Waikato River Trails
If youโre heading out on the trails this ANZAC Weekend, please take a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the significance of the day.
While youโre out, there are some great local spots along the way to stop in for a coffee, a bite to eat, or something refreshing โ all operating as per their normal hours this weekend.
๐ Ata's Bar & Eatery โ Mangakino
๐ Mangakino Club โ Mangakino (bookings recommended - Call or text Kevin: 021 217 4980)
๐ Rhubarb Cafe โ Arapuni
๐ The Dam Village Bakery Cafรฉ โ Whakamaru
As you travel the trails, take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember the meaning of ANZAC Day.
Take a break, support local, and enjoy your time on the trails this long weekend.
๐ณ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
#news
Heads up! With Cyclone Vaianu moving through this weekend, the weatherโs looking like it will be pretty rough out there.
Best to give the trails a miss for now โ Stay safe, and look after yourselves.
#news
Please check out the latest course update for The Taniwha๐คฉ
#news๐ฟ Course Update for The Taniwha ๐ฟ
When Mother Nature hit earlier in the year it caused significant damage to sections of the Waikato River Trails and the road leading into Waipapa.
The good news? The Taniwha is 100% going ahead! With works currently underway on the affected road, weโve made a small change to keep things running smoothlyโฆ and it comes with a bonus ๐
โจ A brand new start location + fresh course sections!
This change only affects the 43km MTB, Marathon & Duathlon distances.
Participants in these distances will now start on Mustang Road (off Waipapa Road, approx. 6km north of Mangakino), winding through scenic forestry roads before rejoining the Waikato River Trails and the original course.
More trail, more adventure, and some awesome new forest to explore ๐ฒ
Course maps can be viewed here... thetaniwha.co.nz/43km-duathlon
Heading out on the Waikato River Trails this Easter Weekend?
Make sure to stop in and enjoy a coffee, bite to eat, or something refreshing along the way. Hereโs whatโs open:
๐Ata's Bar & Eatery โ Mangakino | Open all Easter weekend from 9am โ 2.30pm
๐The Dam Village Bakery Cafe โ Whakamaru | Open all Easter weekend from 6am - 5pm
๐Mangakino Club โ Mangakino | Dinner available Wednesday to Sunday | Bookings essential ๐ Call or text Kevin: 021 217 4980
๐Rhubarb Cafe โ Arapuni | Open Good Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8am โ 4pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday
Plan ahead, take a break, and support local while youโre out enjoying the trails this Easter!
#news
Been out enjoying the Waikato River Trails lately?
Weโd love to hear about your experience. Weโre aiming for 500 survey responses each year to help secure funding and keep the Trails in great shape.
All completed surveys by the 31st March automatically go into the draw for a chance to win a $100 e-voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty
๐ www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
#news
Autumn Updates from the Waikato River Trails!
Our latest e-newsletter is here! Find out about:
๐The return of The Taniwha event in May
๐6,000 native plants going in this planting season
๐Trail maintenance and restoration updates
๐Our Trail survey link - complete it by 31st March and go in the draw to win a $100 voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty!
Check it out and see whatโs happening on the Trails this autumn!
email.rocketspark.co.nz/t/r-01042D1B75E5ADF52540EF23F30FEDED
#news Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
Entries for The Taniwha are open - but if you want your name on your bib, youโll need to be in by May 10๐คฉ
Thatโs only a few days away. You can still enter after that, but youโll miss out on the personalised touch.
If youโve been thinking about itโฆ nowโs the time.
#event๐ Make it official. Make it yours.
Enter by May 10 to have your NAME on your event bib when you take on the Waikato River Trails.
After that, entries are still open, just without the personalised touch.
The Taniwha sold out in 2025 ๐คฉ
Such a standout event on the Waikato River Trails, bringing an awesome atmosphere to the trail each year.
If youโve been thinking about giving it a goโฆ make 2026 your year. Get in quick so you donโt miss out!
#event๐ 2025 sold out.
The Taniwha has become a must-do on the trail calendar & itโs easy to see why.
Make sure youโre on the start line for 2026.
๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ: ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ - ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฃ
After a sold-out 2025 event, youโll want to lock this one in early!
Whether youโre taking on the challenge solo, teaming up with mates, or cheering from the sidelines, The Taniwha is always a standout on the trail calendar.
Expect epic scenery, great vibes, and a day that will test your grit in the best possible way.
Mark your calendar, rally your crew, and get ready for another unforgettable day on the trails.
#event Total Sport NZ Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand