Whakarewarewa forest's value to Rotorua as a recreational asset continues to increase, sparking new debate about how it should be protected.
The value of the forest, mainly as a mountainbiking facility, is now worth $10 million a year, according to a new report, and those seeking to protect the area say the potential for further development is huge.
Forest users, including the Rotorua Mountainbike Club, say making it a regional park would ensure priority is given to the needs of recreational users over those of forest managers wanting to harvest trees.
However, Fred Christensen, who pioneered mountainbiking in Rotorua, says someone should buy the cutting rights and turn the forest into a "user pays" adventure park, complete with chairlifts and covered walkways 30m off the ground. Mr Christensen built the first mountainbiking trails in the forest more than 20 years ago knowing it was a "working forest" and trees would be harvested.
Earlier this year Timberlands indicated it was considering replacing less profitable trees like eucalyptus and larch with more commercially viable species.
That's worried many locals who are concerned the changes could permanently alter the character and beauty of the forest, making it less attractive to riders and event organisers.
Periodic detention workers, under Mr Christensen's supervision, spent 10 years developing 30km of trails in the forest, dubbed the "Fredwoods" by early forest users. A further 60km of mountainbiking trails have been carved out by volunteers since.
"My vision was to turn it into an adventure tourism park where you could have chairlifts taking people to the top to a restaurant overlooking the lakes."
His concept is at odds with the Rotorua Mountainbiking Club which wants access to the forest to remain free. Vice-president Dave Donaldson said making it a regional park was the preferred option.
"We want a different management style that puts in place a set of rules that would give priority to the forest's recreational use, instead of what's happening now with its commercial managers looking at how they can best provide a return to shareholders."
Mr Donaldson said discussions about the forest's future involved the mountainbiking club, Timberlands, the Rotorua District Council and local iwi but nothing could progress until Treaty of Waitangi claims over the forest were settled.
One claim involving a group represented by Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa, is unlikely to affect forest access. It is expected to be signed off by Parliament in the near future. However, the Daily Post understands the claim is being challenged by Ngati Whakaue.
Mr Donaldson said a meeting was planned with representatives of Ngati Whakaue to shed more light on the hapu's views on recreational access.
Timberlands' forest risk manager Colin Maunder said he couldn't comment until he had seen the latest report into the forest's recreational value.
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