Taruheru River TrailTe Ara o Taruheru

The major focus of Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust is the planned Taruheru River Trail/ Te Ara o Taruheru within Gisborne city.

This is a key transport corridor within a 5-minute bike ride for almost half of Gisborne city’s population. When built, the trail will be a well-used pathway, enhancing mana whenua and community wellbeing and aspirations, and the mauri and health of the river itself.

Mana whenua, Gisborne District Council and Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust are working together to develop a safe route from Ngā Wai Weherua (City Rivers) Trail at the river end of Derby Street, following the Taruheru River as closely as possible to Campion Road and eventually to complete a loop, joining with the Oneroa Cycle Walkway near Midway Beach. 

Their statement says, "The Taruheru River Pathway will link neighbourhoods along the awa (river) with safe, accessible walking, cycling and wheeling connections for all ages and abilities.

"With almost half of Gisborne’s population living within a five-minute bike ride of the river, this key active transport connection (as highlighted in Council’s Active Travel Strategy 2024) will support recreation, healthier lifestyles, lower transport costs and stronger connections between communities.

"Michele Frey, Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, says the decision marks a major milestone in delivering a long-standing community aspiration.

“People have talked about the Taruheru River Pathway for decades. It’s been part of Council’s long‑term plans since 2009. This decision confirms the route and how it will be delivered, so we can secure partner funding and turn community expectation into reality,” says Ms Frey."

Council and Tairāwhiti Trails developed a business case to confirm the preferred pathway route and to test the project's benefits, supporting the search for partner funding. The business case found a $13.50 return for every $1 invested and highlighted strong demand and significant community-wide benefits, including:

• Safer travel for walkers, cyclists and wheelers
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Fewer cars on the road and reduced emissions
• Affordable transport options
• Strong connections between neighbourhoods
• Links to existing routes and infrastructure

A counter on the existing Grey Street - Derby Street section of the Taruheru pathway records the number of passes. Currently almost 500 daily passes are being recorded and it is projected that, once the new sections are completed, 1,000 daily passes are likely.

"Ms Frey explained the Taruheru River Pathway is an investment in our people and our future.

“Council’s endorsement of a flexible, staged delivery enables parts of the pathway to begin construction around summertime 2026/27 and then continue to grow as funding is secured, so the community sees the benefits sooner.”

Become a friend

Contact us if you would like to become a Friend of Te Ara o Taruheru. Then we can let you know about how the pathway is progressing and what you might do to help.