One year on, a thriving future for Nelson's trails

Secure recreational access for the Whakatu-Nelson community and visitors and a greater appreciation of the cultural importance of Ngāti Koata whenua are two of the key benefits of an ongoing landmark agreement between Council and Ngāti Koata Limited.

The 10-year agreement, which guarantees public access for mountain biking, walking, running and paragliding on Ngāti Koata whenua, embodies a shared vision, honouring the deep ancestral connection to the whenua and committing to its guardianship for generations to come.

Since the agreement was signed, new protocols around trail maintenance, event management, fire season closures and trail development have been established. These provide greater clarity for all stakeholders and reflect the unique context of Ngāti Koata land, which is both privately owned and an operational forestry.

This certainty has allowed Nelson to secure high-profile events such as the New Zealand Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Championships and the internationally recognised NZ MTB Rally, which was recently named by international media as one of the five “coolest” mountain bike events in the world.

Nelson City Council Chief Executive Nigel Philpott says having these agreements in place shows we’re serious about being a world-class mountain biking destination.

“This agreement secures access to Ngāti Koata’s cherished whenua for our community and everyone who visits our corner of Aotearoa. It honours the kaupapa of intergenerational stewardship, ensuring that the land is not only protected but actively nurtured for those who come next.

“There is also an economic benefit. We can now give organisers, volunteers and investors the confidence to commit, and we’re already seeing the results. In the last year four trails have been renewed, two new trails are being built on Koata whenua and a feasibility study has begun on Fringed Hill as a potential glider launch site.“

The renaming of areas such as Te Papa o Koata (formerly Codgers and Fireball) and Waitarake (formerly Sharlands) restores identity to these places and invites users to connect more deeply with Ngāti Koata and the whenua.

Koata Limited Chief Executive Hemi Toia says the agreement reflects Ngāti Koata’s commitment to supporting the community we live in and working closely and respectfully with important partners like Nelson City Council, the mountain biking community and our forestry partner Tasman Pine Forests Limited.

“This formal agreement has been a few years in the making and one year in we believe we are just getting started on our collective vision to create a worldclass recreational and mountain biking experience right on the city’s doorstep. As more people ride, run, walk and fly across these landscapes, they are not simply using trails, they are participating in a living partnership that balances growth with respect, adventure with stewardship, and recreation with cultural richness.”

At the heart of the agreement is a multifaceted partnership. Ngāti Koata enables access to the land, Council provides planning and infrastructure support, and community groups like the Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC) bring volunteer expertise and momentum.

“This is very exciting for the NMTBC and greater riding community. We strongly welcome the completion of this long-term access agreement between NCC and Ngāti Koata and we’d like to thank everyone involved,” says NMTBC Chair Matthew Ball.

“The formalizing of this agreement not only provides the certainty our community badly needed in terms of trail access but it also will allow us all to invest in developing our quality trail network into a world class place to ride for the future. This allows us to hold events, encourage trail tourism, and have the certainty that we will continue to be a great place to ride.”

The 10-year agreement, which can be extended to 2049, gives the entire trail network a secure future while encouraging commercial and community partners to invest in its growth.

One of the most tangible outcomes of the agreement is Nelson’s ability to attract and host large-scale events. The Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Championships in September 2025 is expected to draw up-to 1000 competitors and supporters from across the country, generating increased visitation during a traditionally quieter period for tourism.

“Beyond the immediate economic impact, events like these drive long-term benefits,” says Matthew.

“The new trails developed for the event will serve the wider community year-round, and Nelson’s national reputation as a premier biking location continues to grow.”