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Storm damage closes Tasman's Great Taste biking trail until further notice

The Wai-iti River after flooding in the Tasman region in June 2025. Photo: Samantha Gee / RNZ Tasman's Great Taste biking trail has suffered more than $2 million of damage due to flooding and slips from the extreme weather in Nelson-Tasman. The Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust said sections of the trail had been reopened since the first deluge in June , but now those sections have been impacted again following Friday's flooding. "We are dealing with multiple weather events in close succession, which is making it extremely difficult to fully assess the state of the trail, let alone begin repairs in some areas," said trail manager Belinda Crisp. "Safety and access are our top priorities, and in many places the trail is currently unsafe or inaccessible due to slips, flooding, windfall, roading closures and structural issues." The 200 kilometre trail has been closed until further notice as bridges have been washed away , but work is underway to open the safe parts of the path. "There are parts of the trail that have been washed away, and rebuilding them in the same spot may no longer be viable," said Crisp. Crisp said the trail is a lifeline for the local economy, bringing in $34m annually, with many small businesses relying on visitors who come and ride the trail. The trust is currently preparing cost estimates for repair and reconstruction. "We are fortunate that a national fund exists through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to support cycle trail recovery after extreme weather events," said trust chair Gillian Wratt. "However, it's still too early to know whether that funding will cover the full cost of the necessary work. "We know how important the trail is to the region - particularly for small and medium tourism-related businesses - and we are committed to having as much of the trail as possible operational by summer. "That said, some sections will require time due to engineering challenges, consenting, or access renegotiations," Wratt said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.