14 November 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Forest management and opportunities + iSite data
Inquiry
Why in Council's view have numbers increased at the Redwoods iSite?
Since the Treewalk started and the increased numbers of mountain bikers has the Council received any complaints or concerns about the affect these types of activities could be having on the Redwoods since 2015?
How many and what were some of the concerns/complaints?
What role does the Council have in looking after the Whakarewarewa Forest and its environment, what do you do?
Will the Council go into a co-governance CNI Iwi Holdings and what could this mean for the city and tourism?
How many businesses including mountain biking operate from the Whakarewarewa Forest and is there potential for more business opportunities and what could that mean for the city in monetary values?
Meanwhile numbers do not seem to be increasing that much at the Fenton St iSite is there any particular reason for the slow climb?
Response
Destination Rotorua commentary re forests
Destination Rotorua Chief Executive Michelle Templer:
"Rotorua's forests are an important asset both in terms of providing a great recreational area for locals and for attracting visitors to the district for outdoor events, walking and mountain biking.
The two forests - with Scion specialising in research, science and technology development for the forestry, wood product, wood-derived materials sectors - provide a real connection to wood-related business and opportunities. Destination Rotorua also wants to ensure we preserve the quality of the experience visitors have and is targeting higher value tourists.
It is positive for Rotorua as a destination to see ongoing development of services such as the Secret Spa planned for Waipa, Treewalk's nightwalk and new glass platform and ongoing trail development, all of which supports enjoyment and engagement for visitors and locals alike."
*Note: Scion is a Crown forest research institute which is located near the Redwoods
Destination Rotorua comment re iSites
From Destination Rotorua Chief Executive Michelle Templer:
"The iSites provide a comprehensive, quality service to help maximise the enjoyment and experience of Rotorua for visitors (domestic and international).
"A number of factors have contributed to an increase in numbers at the Redwoods iSite including increasing popularity of the forest, new developments such as the Tree Walk and increased exposure of the Redwoods and Whakarewarera Forest.
"The Fenton Street iSite has been undergoing needed redevelopment which has impacted on numbers. Destination Rotorua is more focussed on customer experience and value than numbers through the door."
City iSite:
2012 | 764,587 |
2013 | 768,951 |
2014 | 795,595 |
2015 | 813,021 |
2016 | 800,770 |
2017 (to end of September) | 596,461 |
Redwoods iSite:
2012 | 78,316 |
2013 | 86,904 |
2014 | 109,418 |
2015 | 243,182 |
2016 | 413,814 |
2017 (to end of September) | 323,460 |
About Rotorua's forests:
The Tokorangi and adjoining Whakarewarewa Forest combine to provide a vast recreational area.
The Tree Walk is an eco-friendly operation.
Most of the mountainbiking activity occurs in Whakarewarewa Forest and many access the trails from Waipa where there is a carpark, toilet/shower block and the mountainbiking businesses (this is essentially mountainbiking HQ). A new BMX track is also being constructed there and Red Stag (which operates a mill at Waipa) has plans for more tourist/hospitality developments at/around the mountainbiking hub at Waipa (Daily Post has reported on this).
The Redwoods area, which is part of the Tokorangi Forest, is largely used for walking and running and is a popular visitor destination (this is where the tourist buses go). Entry to the Redwoods is via Tarawera Rd and this area has its own parking areas.
Some work is being done to improve parking, traffic flow and pedestrian safety at the Redwoods and the carpark at Waipa was upgraded last year but additional parking will be created along Waipa Mill Road once the heavy traffic bypass road there has been finished (Red Stag's mill is at Waipa).
Tokorangi Forest (which includes the area known as the Redwoods) and Whakarewarewa Forest are managed under Crown Forest Licence by Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) and Kaingaroa Timberlands Limited (KT) for the CNI iwi collective who are the land owners - their interests are looked after by CNI Iwi Holdings Limited (CNIIHL).
Currently 9 commercial mountain bike businesses have permission to operate within the forest.
The potential for more business opportunities will be investigated as part of new co-governance arrangements and management plans for the forest.
Since the Tree Walk was opened in December, 2015, one complaint has been received from a coach company about the space and flow for buses at the Redwoods carpark, which is undergoing improvements.
Info re recreational management of the forests and proposed co-governance:
The Crown Forest Licence and the Deed of Settlement provides for general public access to the forests by foot, bike or horse. All other recreational access, both commercial and non-commercial, is subject to the discretion and joint agreement of RLC, KT and CNIIHL and is managed under the Recreational Use of the Tokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forests Interim Policy. Council are the recreational managers under this Policy and have an obligation to manage the environment of the Tokorangi Forest under the Conservation covenants within the Tokorangi Crown Forest Licence.
The intent is that Council will enter into a co-governance model with CNI Iwi Holdings, Ngati Whakaue and Tuhourangi. A management plan will be developed for the Tokorangi and Whakarewarewa Forest. This will ensure ongoing public access and may open up opportunities for recreational tourism developments.
Carmen go to p19 of this AGENDA to view the report that went to councillors seeking approval for co-governance arrangement to proceed. The meeting was recorded and you'll find the presentation re the co-governance of forest 1hr 10mins into the recording
You'll note the presentation to councillors regarding co-governance was made jointly with CNI so you may also wish to contact them regarding their aspirations for the forests. (CNI Iwi Land Management general manager Alamoti Te Pou has been a spokesperson regarding the co-governance agreement)
Go to THIS LINK on Council's website re Waipa valley developments (including what council is doing, Red Stag plans + BMX club development there) - scroll down to a further link that goes to more detail and images