The Taruheru River Pathway will connect communities

The Taruheru River Pathway will provide safe, accessible walking, cycling and wheeling connections along the awa, linking neighbourhoods and creating a backbone for active transport and recreation through our city. The Taruheru River is at the heart of Gisborne’s identity. Now we have an opportunity to transform this natural asset into a vibrant, connected pathway that serves our people and our future.

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.

What we want from you

We want the community engaged in this project, so we're ready to talk to the right people when it counts.

Hit the + Follow button and stay informed of updates as we seek funding avenues, which will determine the next steps.

A partnership to progress

Council is working in partnership with the Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust (Tairāwhiti Trails) to progress a pathway that’s accessible to everyone.

The steering group, which includes mana whenua, Council staff and fellow trustees, has completed a viable business case. It will be a trail for the community, built for all users to safely go about their daily journeys, including going to work, school, visiting friends and recreation.

It will connect communities safely

Council and Tairāwhiti Trails developed the 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