**Mountain biking is a hugely popular activity in the central North Island. Photo: Logan West - Love Taupō**

E-bike riders in Kinloch and Rotorura have received a boost from a King’s Birthday Government funding present.

By Dan Hutchinson

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced $2.5 million would be spent on 42 new e-bike charging stations across five mountain bike trails around the country.

The money comes from the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund, which is funded by the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

Applicants must co-fund at least 50 per cent of each charging site.

One of the new charging stations is replacing the old bike stand outside the Kinloch Store and will be able to take six bikes at once, in a secure, lockable stand, similar to the Locky Docks in Taupō.

Twelve stations would also be funded along Rotorua’s popular Whakarewarewa Forest Loop.

Bike Taupō chairman Pete Masters says they would not have been able to fund the charging station without the Government contribution. They had to come up with the other half of the funding, which they had secured through another sponsor.

It would be of use to those doing the Great Lake Trails and for those cyclists that base themselves out of Kinloch.

**The spectacular view from the Whakaipo to Kinloch section of the Great Lake Trail. Photo: Love Taupō**

“There’s a huge amount of riders now, especially older riders, using e-bikes and also there is a lot of people who stay at the marina (in Kinloch) in their campervans, and ride out of there so it enables them to charge up too.”

He says Bike Taupō is still recovering financially from Cyclone Gabrielle which destroyed many sections of their trails, so all their funding was going on maintenance and consolidation.

“We got a fair wallop in Cyclone Gabrielle … recovering from that financially, then making sure those trails that had to be rebuilt were all bedded in.

The other trails to get charging stations are; Little River Rail Trail (The Heartland Ride) which will get three stations, Hauraki Rail Trail (14) and Tasman Great Taste Trail (12).

It is on top of the $478,750 announced in June 2025 for 10 charging stations on two Great Rides, the Hawke’s Bay Trails and the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

Upston says the stations will make the cycle trails more accessible and attractive, both for tourists and locals.

“E-biking is gaining real momentum in the regions, so it makes sense for the Government to invest in infrastructure supporting increased usage on the Great Rides, as well as on the wider network of rides.”

She says Great Rides deliver an economic boost of $1.28 billion to regional New Zealand.

The latest round of funding saw expanded eligibility criteria, now including the Heartland and Connector Rides, which are part of the wider Ngā Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail network.

“By broadening the criteria, we’re making rural and remote trails easier to access for visitors keen to explore more of our beautiful country.”