The sections yet to be built are through Ngapipito Valley, between Otiria and Mangakahia Rd; from Kaikohe aerodrome to Ngapipito Rd; and from Mangataraire to Horeke.
Much of the delay is a result of opposition from neighbouring landowners, for reasons which vary from interference with farming operations to Treaty claims on the old rail corridor which forms much of the route. Long-stalled negotiations over the Ngapipito route are understood to have restarted in recent months.
At last week's meeting councillors decided to try approaching the Government for more cash to finish the cycleway. The only other options identified were to stop work once money ran out or to fund the shortfall from rates.
In 2009 the council applied to the Ministry of Economic Development for $13 million, the cost according to an external feasibility study of building the trail.
The following year the Ministry agreed to give $3.9 million (cycle trail subsidies were capped at $4 million, and $100,000 had already been spent on a feasibility study) towards the Kawakawa-Horeke section.
In 2011 the trail was costed at $5.2m, which still left a $1.3 m shortfall.
The trail so far
Once complete Pou Herenga Tai/Twin Coast Cycle Trail will stretch from Opua in the Bay of Islands to Horeke in South Hokianga.
From Kawakawa to Okaihau the route was to have followed a disused rail corridor, currently owned by KiwiRail and leased to the Far North District Council. The rest of the corridor, from Opua to Kawakawa, is leased to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway.
With no remaining rail corridor after Okaihau, the council has to use road reserve or persuade landowners to allow the trail across their land.
Opua-Taumarere (7km): Open. The vintage railway has allowed the council to use the corridor and make it suitable for bikes by placing gravel over the tracks as far as Long Bridge at Taumarere, in exchange for clearing a slip and fixing bridges. However, once Long Bridge is restored and a new station is built near Opua, the council will have six months to remove the gravel and return the corridor to the railway trust. Cyclists will then be taken by train between Opua and Kawakawa with bikes in special carriages.
Taumarere-Kawakawa (6km): The council has decided this section will not be built. Cyclists will be taken by train.
Kawakawa-Otiria (6km): Open.
Otiria-Mangakahia Rd (20km): Some parts complete but negotiations still underway through Ngapipito Valley. Use of the rail corridor is opposed by some residents and the road, unsealed and used by logging trucks, is unsuitable. The final route is likely to use road reserves and rail corridor.
Mangakahia Rd-Kaikohe Aerodrome (7km): Rail corridor route opposed by adjoining land owners. Alternatives being sought.
Kaikohe Aerodrome-Kaikohe (6km): Open.
Kaikohe-Okaihau (14km): Open since 2011 and heavily used by cyclists, walkers and runners. Includes a bike skills course, 3km in mountain bike trails, and an 80m historic tunnel.
Okaihau-Mangataraire (10km): Complete but not yet open. Crosses a mix of road reserve and private land.
Mangataraire-Horeke/Mangungu Mission Station (15km): Still being investigated. Likely to be on road reserve with sections through private land.
