The Kaikōura section of the Whale Trail will now be fully off-road following a funding boost from the Kaikōura Community Op Shop, the Encounter Foundation, and Fissenden Bros Contractors. These contributions will pay for three bridges on a 2km stretch between Harnett’s Creek and Middle Creek, infrastructure that was not included in the project’s original budget.
How the trail reached this milestone
The 13km segment between Kaikōura and Hāpuku is a critical part of the 200km cycle and walkway stretching from Picton to Kaikōura. According to Whale Trail project manager Nigel Muir, the new bridges were necessary to remove the trail from public roads. While the project is backed by a $26 million investment from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Kānoa Regional Development and Investment Unit, the specific cost of these bridges fell outside that initial scope. Additional labor for the project has been provided by the Kaikōura Cycle Club and design manager Hamish Seaton.
Why the community involvement matters
The addition of these bridges highlights the role of local entities in completing the trail, which was first conceived following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Kaikōura Community Op Shop chairperson Lisa Bond stated that the project supports community wellbeing and provides recreation for people of all ages. For the Encounter Foundation, this represents one of its final contributions; trustee Lynette Buurman noted the foundation is winding up following the sale of Encounter Kaikōura last year. Fissenden Bros Contractors, which has worked on the trail for nearly a year, views the development as a significant asset for local residents.
What happens next for the Whale Trail
Construction on the wider 200km network remains ongoing. Earlier this year, Mr. Muir reported that 115km of the trail had been completed, with 90km already open to the public. If construction continues at the pace suggested by project managers, an additional 50-60km could be finished by the end of this year. As the trail nears completion, it is likely that local businesses will see increased activity from users of the path. The project’s reliance on a mix of government funding—including contributions from the Marlborough and Kaikōura district councils and the Rātā Foundation—and local community support suggests a possible model for future regional infrastructure maintenance.
