Plans for the Government’s national cycleway have gained traction, the Waikato taking an early lead with two projects approved for funding in the region to boost tourism and create jobs.
Prime Minister John Key has announced seven spokes of the national cycleway, due to begin construction this summer, with the Waikato River Trails Trust and Hauraki Plains Trails winning a share of an initial $9 million of $50 million earmarked for the project.
Also okayed for funding are the Central North Island Rail Trail; Mt Ruapehu to Wanganui; St James Trail in North Canterbury; Hokianga to Opua-Russell in the Far North; and Southland Around the Mountain Rail Trail.
The total Waikato River Trail will be 100 kilometres long, following the Waikato River and taking in five hydro-lakes from Atiamuri to Horahora in the South Waikato. Thirty kilometres of trails are already open for use, 23 kilometres are built but yet to open, and six kilometres are under construction.
The group had funding approved for a further 41 kilometres
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Lovely city Hamilton. Will take a cruise next time I’m there.
And so the Waikato River should be given top priority over all
I usually dont write to blogs however i think your site is very unique and i certainly am motivated to visit New Zealand and experience your amazing country. Good luck.
{Amazing|Interesting} that I came across this…
I was just talking about the Waikato River just a few weeks again and just happened to come across this….
OP: I could be slow (lord knows I have been told lol) but do you mean a politician is supporting this boost. Way to go Waikato!
Whats the big deal about cruising a bloody river. It seems theirs better things to do with ones valuable time.
Great asset to the Waikato region. Thumbs up.
Fellow Tourists
Seriously considering spending some hard earned cash for a private cruise on your party boat to celebrate my 50th birthday. Sounds like a great idea. I grew up near Hamilton in Cambridge, but have lived overseas for over 20 years. Coming back in June and will contact you then.
Cheers.
Hi could you please help with vacation advice?…Whats the best time to visit New Zealand, in particular, the Waikato region. I’ve heard that your cruise on the Waikato River is excellent and would love to visit your country when its suitable.
Bravo. I applaud your prime minister. Real vision for the future there.
Good on John Keys
At the end of his term, thats most probably will be his greatest achievement
Happy Biking!
Fact: The Waikato River is 425 kilometres long, originating from the Eastern slopes of Ruapehu, to spewing out at the Tasman ocean, south of Auckland. Certainly well worth cleaning up, preserving and enhancing.
Checkout the following statement…This could not have happened without John Key…
June 2 (Bloomberg) — New Zealand, the Pacific island nation of 4.2 million people and 40 million sheep, is the planet’s most peaceful country this year, according to a global index. The U.S. is ranked 83rd.
Increasing political stability after the election of a coalition government led by former Merrill Lynch & Co. trader John Key helped push New Zealand to the top, from third place in 2008, in the Global Peace Index. Trade agreements with Australia also raised New Zealand’s ranking. Denmark and Norway follow, while Iceland dropped to fourth place from first after its banking system collapsed, leading to violent street protests.
The index, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney, ranks 144 countries on 23 areas, from military spending and support for United Nations peacekeepers to economic indicators, murder rates and human rights protection. Iraq is ranked as the world’s least peaceful country, followed by Afghanistan, Somalia and Israel.
That would be an awesome legacy from the National Party to leave behind. At least they’re not complete losers.