Trophy a novel way to find Redwoods

NZ Transport Association national cycling manager Dougal List presents mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy mayor Dave Donaldson with the trophy and certificate.

Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest may now be easier to find, after a new sign pointing people in the direction of the country's most loved adventure forest was gifted to the city.

The sign was presented as a trophy by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) national cycling manager Dougal List to deputy mayor Dave Donaldson yesterday, after the forest was voted New Zealand's favourite Off-Road/Adventure Ride and NZ's Favourite Place to Cycle for the second year running.

Mayor Steve Chadwick joked the signs should be placed all over town to point people in the right direction.

Mr Donaldson said he was surprised the trophy came in the form of a road sign.

"We didn't know the nature of the trophy until it was unveiled today so a bit of careful thought will go into where it goes up but we are certainly stoked with the look of it, it is fantastic ... clearly it'll be pointing people in the direction of the cycle trails but exactly how we use it is something we will think about and crack on with pretty smartly."

More than 6000 people voted in the competition.

Mr List said Whakarewarewa Forest was a favourite spot of his to ride. "I am really delighted to be here today. When I heard Rotorua had won the award I was so excited."

More than half a million hours of man power had gone into the creation of the trails in the forest, he said.

Multi-day Adventures owner Tak Mutu said the forest had a great reputation with professional riders internationally.

"It's another accolade that's deserved. The award is not a surprise. It's easier to sell Rotorua as a mountain biking destination because it's the truth."