history
Our past
In 1859, the Crown purchased Part Sections 410 and 477(Target Reserve) from Ngāti
Raukawa and Ngāti Apa. These lands were granted in trust to the Foxton Town Board under
the Foxton Reserves Act for use as a public park, recreation ground, and rifle range for the
benefit of the people of Foxton.
In 1989, the Horowhenua District Council was created through the amalgamation of the
Horowhenua County Council, Foxton Borough Council, Levin Borough Council, and part of
the former Manawatu District Council. As a result of this series of local government
restructures, ownership of Target Reserve is now held by the Horowhenua District Council
as the successor to its predecessor bodies.
The Reserve is 132.3145 hectares in size and is also home to the Foxton Racing Club, Foxton Golf Club, Horowhenua Paintball Club and the Levin Pistol Club
In 2023, MMBC submitted a proposal to build mountain bike trails in the reserve to the Horowhenua District Council. In February 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, giving MMBC permission to build and responsibility to maintain mountain bike trails in the Reserve.
The area was blessed for trails in April 2024. A group of keen local mountain bikers began hand-building trails shortly after.
present
Now
As of October 2025, there are approximately eight kilometres of trails Grade 2 and 3 trails, with some Grade 4 well-marked features. There is also a separate “Mites Trails” for the younger riders.
Frocks on Shocks, two of the Winter Series races and the Foxton Fizzler are all held at Foxton Trails @ Target Reserve. You can find more information about these races under the Events tab.
projects
What we’re doing
The Foxton Trails Committee and its trail-building supporters are working on more trails and a dedicated skills area. The skills area will be a great place to practice features found on mountain bike trails!
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
There are wild deer in the reserve so keep your eyes open. They usually keep to themselves. Don’t be suprised if you hear shooting – the Levin Pistol Club has a target range on the edge of the mountain bike area and the Horowhenua Paintball Club also have a facility in Target Reserve.
No. Target Reserve is owned by Horowhenua District Council and is free to use.
Yes, absolutely. Beginners might choose to enjoy the Mites Trails first and then ride the intermediate trails.
Absolutely NOT. Target Reserve is not open to motorbikes. Please enjoy your ride elsewhere.
Contact [email protected] and Horowhenua District 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.
– Propose a trail or project by email to [email protected]. Like and follow us on Facebook.
Foxton Dig Days
Dig Days are held most months and are advertised on the MMBC and Foxton MTB 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
Foxton MTB Trails @ Target Reserve are funded through the MMBC and sponsorship from local individuals and businesses.
We are stoked to have so much support for what we do from our local community and invite other local individuals and businesses to choose their level of support for the park. Large logos on the Sponsor board at the park are $250 per year and smaller logos are $100. Logo on the MMBC website (see the bottom of this page) are included in either sponsorship choice.
As the trail network becomes better known through events, we expect more riders to visit as they travel between Wellington and North Island destinations. More riders means more exposure to your brand and business.
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! Be sure to check out the sponsors at the bottom of the page.
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, the growing 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 |
Sponsors
