Wellington Regional TRAILS FOR THE FUTURE A strategic framework for trails in the Wellington Region September 2017 Acknowledgements The Wellington Regional Trails Framework has been prepared by TRC Tourism Ltd (www.trctourism.com) for the government authorities and trails partners of the Wellington Region. The assistance of the working group and all stakeholders who contributed is greatly appreciated. Authors: Janet Mackay, Chris Rose. Cover photo credit: Erica Herron ISBN: 978-0-947521-06-6 Disclaimer Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this document is made in good faith, but on the basis that TRC Tourism is not liable to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever that has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to in this document. Wellington Regional TRAILS FOR THE FUTURE A strategic framework for trails in the Wellington Region ii Wellington Regional Trails for the Future Executive Summary Introduction The Wellington region sits on the southern end of New Zealand’s North Island and contains some outstanding trail-based experiences and the potential to significantly grow the use of outdoor trails. Many other destinations internationally are growing their trail-based tourism infrastructure, marketing, and cooperative efforts to capitalise on their region’s strengths in order to offer world class experiences. The Wellington region has the potential to be such a destination, adding to its already very successful positioning as a capital city with a great cultural scene based on Te Papa and other assets and events, and a thriving food, wine and craft beer scene. Wellington Regional Trails for the Future iii All the government stakeholders in the region Current users of the trails in the recognise the importance of working together, and Wellington region the potential of the trail network to make a significant The Wellington region has a large and active contribution to the lifestyle of residents and to the population of residents attracted by the nation’s economic growth of the region through increased capital city status, a strong food, wine and outdoor tourism numbers and yield. This project represents lifestyle offering, and easy access to many popular the outcome of those government entities and areas both north and south of Wellington City. significant community trusts working together The current population of the region sits at about collaboratively to achieve the development of a 510,000 people or about 10% of New Zealand’s framework and strategy that will help them realise population. Over 40% of the region’s population that goal. lives in Wellington City, with the remainder The framework provides the backbone for the dispersed throughout the Hutt, coastal areas and organisations involved, the users (whether they be the Wairarapa. The region’s population is active in trampers, walkers, runners or riders), businesses the outdoors, with recent surveys showing 78% of and, more broadly, the community to work together resident adults participated in sports and recreation, in a well-coordinated way on priority projects that higher than the New Zealand average. Walking will help the region realise its vision for the future. remains the most popular activity, followed by cycling, trail running and jogging, and tramping. The current situation This reflects the importance of local use of trails. This framework plans for an area commonly referred Wellington City and the broader region attract to as the Wellington region. It is by eight (8) district significant visitor numbers, with over 5 million visits or city territorial authorities, the regional council and from domestic travellers and close to 715,000 the Department of Conservation (DOC): international visitors. Visitors are generally attracted to the ‘capital of urban cool’ branding and the 1. Kapiti Coast District Council fact that within easy reach of Wellington City 2. Porirua City Council are outstanding natural forested parks, rugged 3. Wellington City Council coastlines and nationally recognised food and wine. 4. Hutt City Council Tourism to New Zealand, and more locally to 5. Upper Hutt City Council Wellington City, is growing, providing outstanding 6. Carterton District Council opportunities to grow trail-based tourism products 7. Masterton City Council and experiences. With over 25% of visitors actively seeking walking opportunities and another 4% 8. South Wairarapa District Council seeking mountain biking, these markets could 9. Greater Wellington Regional Council. potentially grow for the region with a well-defined The collective areas of the Councils already contain set of experiences and product offerings. an extensive network of trails used by different users Based on current visitor numbers and an active and markets, reflecting the geography of the region lifestyle enjoyed by residents of the region, this and the active lifestyle enjoyed by many residents framework will provide recommendations that of the region. Many of the trails have evolved ensure that the resident population domestic and over a hundred years or more and are traditional international visitor markets are considered, and routes, some having been used for decades for the that they provide for outstanding experiences New Zealand pastime of tramping. Others have that continue to give residents the lifestyle they been purpose-built in recent years for mountain seek while maximising economic returns to and biking reflecting the growing importance of this opportunities for the region. recreational pursuit to the community, not only in this region, but more broadly.. A survey of many of the user groups from the region that use the trails was completed as part of this framework development. The survey, while not iv Wellington Regional Trails for the Future designed to provide quantitative information, did has limited product packaging and product provide strong supporting information on the use of development to support the strong trail network. the trails in the region, including the strong support Growth of these elements around the network for 1-to-4 hour trails of intermediate difficulty and would help visitors (and potentially some more the need for improved trail information and local and regional markets) access trails and the surface quality. experiences they offer. Use is difficult to ascertain in some parts of the network due to a lack of statistics that can be applied rigorously throughout the region. Some Our Vision: trails have good statistics, including the Rimutaka “Connecting our people with Cycle Trail, which in 2015 received close to 100,000 users. Other significant trails in the region, including inspiring adventures” the Hutt River Trail receive a significant number of users annually. A table of indicative use by category has been developed to provide managers with data The vision will build on the Wellington region’s to help guide planning and management. strengths: • a strong mix of trails and experiences within easy Purpose-built mountain bike areas, including the access of the vibrant hub of Wellington City, or Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park, are popular among wherever you live in the region residents of Wellington City. Central City trails on Mount Victoria and at Polhill Reserve are popular • trails that enable residents and visitors to explore for their ability to be used for a ride at lunchtime or the broader region, including outer urban areas on the way home after work due to the proximity to and regional destinations New Zealand’s capital city. • easy access (by air, sea and car) and options for connecting trail experiences by road, The Potential rail and water. The Wellington region has an outstanding Region Specific Characteristics opportunity to become a world-class trails-based destination offering outstanding experiences to The following observations are relevant to the future a variety of markets. Importantly, improving the of the network: level of products aligned to trails will not only • the trail network is extensive and varied for all help achieve the world class experiences, it adds the main user types, with easier trails through the significant value for the residents of the region who Hutt Valley, Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa and more are strongly connected to their trails and who see challenging trails around Wellington City and them as a vital part of the infrastructure to support a the surrounding ranges. Access to the region is healthy and vibrant region. very well-developed, courtesy of an international Experience gained in other destinations in airport, working ports and a well-developed local New Zealand and internationally shows that the bus and railway network development of hero or signature trails for use • the region is poorly marketed as a trails in riding or walking can help to position a region destination, with no coherent marketing strategy among different markets. The Wellington region has for trails and no single point of information for several signature trails that, while underdeveloped, residents or visitors could potentially be used to grow outdoor • the number of authorities and groups managing recreation tourism to the region and have it sit and involved with trails in the region has made it alongside culture and food and wine as the region’s difficult to think and act with a regional focus in brand strengths. the development, management and promotion of The Wellington region has limited trail-based the trail network industry to support the experience and currently Wellington Regional Trails for the Future v • the user groups in the region are passionate Several principles and criteria apply to the about the trail network and in the mountain development of the network. For example, new biking segment are active in the construction and trails should be built only where they add significant management of the trails value to the network links areas of trails and help • no uphill lifting exists within the region for create outstanding experiences that are not mountain biking (although it is acknowledged currently on offer.