3 May 2015

$3m grant for Northland cycle trail

7:07 pm on 3 May 2015

The Government is putting another $3 million into Northland's Twin Coast cycle trail.

Prime Minister John Key, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman and Far North Mayor John Carter.

Prime Minister John Key, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman and Far North Mayor John Carter. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams

The Prime Minister announced the grant in the Bay of Islands this morning.

The 84-kilometre trail from Hokianga Harbour to the port of Opua has cost $4 million so far, and needs another $4.8 million to complete.

John Key said the Northland trail was unique in that it ran from the west to east coast, and gave visitors the choice of doing some sections by steam train or boat - which he said would appeal to Bay of Islands cruise ship tourists.

The national Cycle trail scheme began in 2009 as a joint project by National and the Greens, and the Government has invested $55 million to date.

Mr Key said 18 of the 23 planned trails were now open, creating 1200 jobs in the process, and giving an ongoing boost to small business in the regions.

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