Te Pūtake o Tawa now open

Work began on Te Pūtake o Tawa in late June 2019, and what was once only a small gravel car park, has been transformed into a brand new hub with capacity for 400+ vehicles, event spaces, brand new toilets and showers, bike washing facilities, bike hire and food vendors are scheduled to be in place in the coming months, and there is significant scope for future commercial development and employment opportunities.

Chair of CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd, Bronco Carson, says the development is a further realisation of the CNI Iwi Holdings Vision - Mana Whenua, Mana Tangata, Mana Ao Turoa - Protect and develop the land; empower the people; collectively build the future.

The opening is another significant step to realise the vision. A project of this magnitude requires partners and collaboration. We have the strength of an eight iwi collective, working with local government, iwi, and commercial operators, to bring benefit and value for the greater good of the community.

Mountain Bike Rotorua and Tūhourangi Tribal Authority have both been granted concessions to operate within Te Pūtake o Tawa.

Mountain Bike Rotorua will hold a concession for providing bike hire and retail. As current holders of the concession for the shuttle services in the forest, they are also working to integrate these services with Te Pūtake o Tawa.

Tūhourangi Tribal Authority are partnering with a combination of other local businesses (Whakarewarewa Village, Mitai, and Grounded Caf) to provide a food and beverage offering, retail space, and a guided cultural forest experience.

Work is underway to have these concessionaires operational by the end of the year.

Rotorua Mayor, Steve Chadwick, spoke at the opening and acknowledged the role of partnerships in delivering outcomes for the community.

I want to acknowledge Council's partnership with Te Arawa through the partnership agreement; and the partnership between Council, CNI, and mana whenua, along with the support of Timberlands, that has enabled the Whakarewarewa Forest Development to go ahead. I also want to acknowledge the role that Provincial Growth Fund investment has played in this project, and many others in our district. Without these partnerships, we would not be able to achieve the outcomes we are working towards for our community.

This year we have really learnt to appreciate what's in our own backyards, and what a spectacular backyard we have here in Rotorua! Today we celebrate the opening of a brand new access point into the Whakarewarewa Forest that will entice locals and visitors to experience some of the best of what Rotorua has to offer, that will provide the foundation for future development and employment opportunities, and that will tell the stories of mana whenua and the rich history of this special place.

The Whakarewarewa Forest Development has received a $7.09million Provincial Growth Fund investment, which has been used alongside $7.5million from Rotorua Lakes Council, to enhance the forest amenity and improve the experience for all. This is a collaborative project between CNI Iwi Holdings and Rotorua Lakes Council, with the support and guidance of mana whenua. Timberlands has also supported the development of Te Pūtake o Tawa.

Te Pūtake o Tawa is now open to the public. Car park open hours are 6am - 9pm seven days a week. Information about biking and walking tracks in the area is available here.