From increasing road safety to bringing in more tourist dollars, the Rotorua leg of the national cycle trail opens many opportunities for the city.
The 37km Rotorua section of Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail was opened yesterday by Mayor Kevin Winters and Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain.
The ceremony was at the carved waharoa (gateway) to the trail at the southernmost Te Puia carpark. The handbuilt trail runs from there through the Whakarewarewa Valley and ends at Orakei Korako.
Mr Tremain said he was passionate about cycling.
"I've been [a cyclist] for many many years throughout New Zealand. The Prime Minister had the idea of developing this network of trails. This is a massive investment and I think it's going to add huge value to Rotorua's tourism industry."
Rotorua professional cyclist Julian Dean said he believed the trail was a good step forward in recognising Rotorua's potential in the cycling world.
"I think it's going to be a very important part of Rotorua's future in terms of attracting tourism and also with Rotorua to be the home of cycling. I've already been a regular user of it. It's a great way to get out of town it's much safer and pleasurable. You can just ride, don't have to worry about the logging trucks passing you."
Mr Winters said he also believed the cycle trail would be good for road safety.
"One good thing is to get the people off the road on this busy section of State Highway 5.
"I'm pleased we're able to do something for the safety of cyclists."
He said the track was a wonderful journey and he had done it many times already.
"It's another gift from the people of Ngati Whakaue so cyclists can enjoy the little gem of it, too. It's a gift that began 150 years ago for the people of Rotorua," he added.
Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar said at Te Puia, nothing could be done without the blessing of the iwi.
"It's really important to have the support of our kuia and kaumatua who also give us the guidance. This leg of the cycleway is a little bit undiscovered, it's a special place for it to start."
Mr Cossar said the names of the waharoa, gifted by Te Puia, at either end of the trail were significant. Hatupatu, the waharoa at the Te Puia end of the trail, was named after the warrior who was being chased by Kurangaituku, the bird woman, after whom the other waharoa was named.
"It's a really symbolic story in the way that cyclists will be chasing each other down the valley and in some similar way replicating the legend from so many years ago."
Green Party MP Kevin Hague was also present at the opening and said as an avid cyclist who visited Rotorua regularly, he was pleased the joint initiative between National and the Green Party had been such a success.