The new Tūwhakaroria Bike Park in lake Hāwea will open this Saturday (November 7) with a planting session, a fundraiser BBQ and the opportunity to ride the park for the first time. 

The all-abilities bike park has been envisaged as a hub for children and youth in the Hāwea community. The park, which features various ‘lines’, a pump track, a skills area and more, is located on the corner of Domain Road and Noema Terrace.

Bike Wanaka president Tim David said the club jumped at the opportunity to turn the disused Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) land into something that would become a community asset. 

The support from council, the Hāwea community and especially the local kids had been phenomenal, he said. 

“The kids just love it - we are having to just about fight them off at the moment because it’s not officially open yet,” Tim said. “They’re really happy to have it.”

Tim said he hopes people in the community will come along on Saturday to support the opening. 

The park also features various ‘lines’ and a pump track.

There will be a planting session from 11am-2pm where people can donate to the project by ‘buying’ plants that they will dig in (plants are supplied); the Lake Hāwea Hotel and bEffect will hold a BBQ and bar from 12.30-2.30 with profits going to park costs; and at 2pm the park will officially open for bikers. 

The extensive park has a range of features a ‘pump’ track (a starting area which provides fun for all abilities), a kids’ mini jump line (a learning area for jumps which will feature three progression options), a medium jump line (a bigger jump progression for confident riders), a ‘flow’ line (a gravity track with berms, pumps, and bumps) and a skills area (a series of small skill based features to encourage better handling skills).

The name Tūwhakaroria was suggested to Bike Wanaka by Tania Brett of Te Puna o Mata Au, because in Maori lexicon Hāwea was dug by the Waitaha explorer Rākaihautū with his kō (Polynesian digging stick) of the same name.

“Because of the link to digging and Lake Hāwea we really liked the name,” Tim said.

The team of volunteers that form Bike Wanaka have been working on the Tūwhakaroria Bike Park project for about two years, using cash reserves from its annual 10 Hour Deans Bank fundraising event, as well as financial support from the council. 

It’s part of the Bike Wanaka policy, Tim explained. “If Bike Wanaka sees an opportunity, we will organise to pay for it, and we will also try and get contributions from other partners.”

The trails are all designed for both Bike Wanaka members and the wider community.

The club has broken ground on its next trail building project, too: Kirimoko Trails. This will be a new biking area for the community above Kirimoko development in Wanaka. It has launched a fundraiser where every $15 donated sponsors one metre of trail.

Head along to the Tūwhakaroria Bike Park on Saturday for biking, planting and the BBQ, and to support the good work Bike Wanaka is doing in the community.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App