history
We’ve been around
Way back in the 1980s – before anyone heard of suspension forks, disc brakes or dropper posts – locals were riding mountain bikes in Arapuke Forest Park (known at various times as Kahuterewa/K Loop or Woodpecker Forest). They weren’t the only ones enjoying the ad hoc trails: access was open to runners, walkers, mountain bikers, motorbikes and 4WD vehicles
In 2004, Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) purchased the 171 hectares of land to support the development of recreational opportunities, including mountain biking.
By 2009, the old forest had become unstable in strong winds and many trails were abandoned due to windfall trees. PNCC decided that logging and replanting with Redwood, Gum and Kahikatea would ensure safety and meet long term recreational goals.
After the first harvest in 2011, a plan for mountain bike and walking trails was developed and the first trails were cut by a digger in December 2011. Jumping Jack – a trail with swooping berms and table-top jumps descending for 700m from the top of Zig Zag Road – was born. The area became formally known as, Arapuke Forest Park in 2012.
This photograph was taken around 1897 at the top of Back Track, before the Dittmer Bros built the road round to Scott’s Road. It is a typical bush section in the Kahuterawa Valley. Thank you to Manawatū Heritage for preserving our history.
present
Now
Today, Arapuke Forest Park remains under the ownership of PNCC whose contributions include car parks, toilets, access roads, swing bridges, shelters, park furniture and sign boards. Trail planning, development and maintenance is provided and managed by MMBC.
The Arapuke Trails Committee (a subcommittee of the MMBC) oversees, plans, builds and maintains trails. Its members also ensure that Arapuke Forest Park offers trail diversity and opportunities for all levels of riders. The committee is responsible for sourcing funding over and above the PNCC and MMBC contribution.
projects
What we’re doing
Current projects, trail maintenance and improvement programme
There’s no getting around the fact that Arapuke see its fair share of rainfall, and countering the resulting mud and erosion is one of our biggest challenges.
This programme is aimed at making the Arapuke trails rideable pretty much year-round (please avoid riding immediately after heavy rain, though!). We are also working to make the park as cohesive as possible. This means connections, extensions and revamps are always on the go.
Future projects
MMBC has planned tracks across the whole of the Arapuke recreation area. These plans will ensure that the full potential of Arapuke can be realised in a cohesive and balanced way.
What’s on the list?
achievements
What we’ve done
Recently completed projects
Refurbishments of Ripper and Humpty Jumpty.
Raewyn’s Rampage. A Grade 4 technical trail that parallels New Old Skool. It has great areas to session and lots of B lines.
Te Ara Kaikohi. The ‘eastern epic’ trail heads downhill from the top shelter, then sweeps low through the river valley. Long, flowy and family-friendly (Grade 3), this iconic trail opens a beautiful area of the park. Opened late-2023.
Chili Beans. A grade 4 uphill alternative to Jack and the Beanstalk with some rocky, rooty and steep challenges. Opened mid-2023.
Bike wash. A river-fed bike wash station has been installed at the Kahurterawa Road car park.
FAQ
Yes, dogs are allowed. There are a lot of rabbits, so if your dog is one who might take off on a hunt, make sure you have good recall!
No. Arapuke is owned by the Palmerston North City Council and is free to use.
Yes, especially the Grade 2 and 3 trails new Scotts Road carpark and Mr Twister.
Absolutely NOT. Arapuke is not open to motorbikes. Please enjoy your ride elsewhere.
Contact [email protected] and the Palmerston North City Council events team for booking the park.
volunteer
Help us out
Donate your time, materials or machinery to help us build new or maintain existing trails. With more than 50km of trails, maintenance becomes a bigger and bigger task.
– Propose a trail or project by email to [email protected].
– Like us on Facebook.
Arapuke Dig Days
Dig Days are held most months and are advertised on the MMBC and Arapuke Trails Facebook pages. We would love to see you along to help us build and maintain the amazing trail network that we have.
Put your name on it
Be a sponsor
Over the past 14 years, MMBC has raised more than $2M to build and maintain trails.
Significant funds have been granted from NZCT, Eastern & Central Community Trust, the Lion Foundation, Mainland Foundation, Pub Charity and Mercury.
We are stoked to have so much support for what we are doing from within our local community. Arapuke attracts significant numbers of out-of-the region riders, which means that support for the trails benefits Manawatū businesses and the Manawatū economy.
Local businesses can choose their level of support for the park in general: Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze or can sponsor an individual trail.
Riders, make sure you return the favour and drop your business the way of our sponsors who have all stepped up to keep the good times rolling up and down the hill!
money ALWAYS HELPS
Donate
We can really use your financial help to expand and maintain the trail network in our region. We are involved in designing, building and maintaining the more than 50 km of trails at Arapuke Forest Park. MMBC also builds and maintains Foxton MTB Trails @ Target Reserve and Te Ara o Mahurangi Trail in the Manawatū Gorge. If you ride any of the trails, donating a little will help a lot.
We also use donations to train more mountain bike coaches, offer more development programmes, run activities for littlies, support our juniors, grow our group of women riders and back riders who compete in New Zealand and overseas.
We are happy to accept donations of any amount – you can either donate using internet banking or by credit/debit card.
Donate by internet banking
Account Name | Manawatū Mountain Bike Club Inc |
Account Number | 03 1521 0079732 00 |
Reference | Donation |
