A BIT OF HISTORY
"Rotorua’s trails are the stuff dreams are made of: perfect dirt, with amazing flow, weaving through towering Redwoods. They’re mesmerising, fast, fun and practically endless."
FLOW MOUNTAIN BIKE
A WHAKAPAPA OF THE WHAKAREWAREWA AND TITOKORANGI FORESTS AND MOUNTAIN BIKING IN ROTORUA
Whakarewarewa Forest, or "The Redwoods," is one of the most iconic mountain biking destinations in the world — but this place is more than just world-class trails and perfect dirt. It’s a living taonga, shaped by generations of Māori connection to the land, and cared for today through a unique partnership between mana whenua, landowners, forestry managers, and the Rotorua community.
This forest sits within the rohe (tribal boundaries) of three mana whenua iwi: Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, and Ngāti Hurunga Te Rangi. Their history here goes back centuries — well before the first bike ever touched the trails. These lands were used for food gathering, healing, walking pathways, and living in harmony with the geothermal energy that still shapes Rotorua today. The forest is part of who they are, and their connection continues to guide how this space is cared for and shared.
FORESTRY AND RECREATION ENTER THE FRAME
The modern version of the Whakarewarewa Forest as we know it today began in 1901, when it became a government test site for growing exotic timber species. This is when the famous Californian redwoods were planted — trees that now tower overhead and give the forest its nickname. Today, the land is owned by CNI Iwi Holdings Ltd, a collective of eight Central North Island iwi who received the land back through Treaty settlement. The commercial forestry operations are managed by Timberlands, while Rotorua Lakes Council is responsible for managing recreation in the forest — everything from walking trails and signage to toilets, bike hubs, and events.
Mountain biking in Rotorua took off in the 1990s, when a few passionate locals saw the potential in the forest’s flowing terrain, volcanic soils, and natural elevation. They began building trails with spades, sweat, and community spirit. As word spread, so did the trails — and the local riding scene exploded. Visitors became locals and the community started to expand as people found yet an another reason to make Rotorua their home. Businesses were being built off the back of riding in Rotorua; bike shops, cafes, bars, accommodation and more. By the mid-2000’s, the value both socially and economically of mountain biking in Rotorua was starting to be realised and as the community grew, so did the vision for a future of being the City of Trails.
The community rallied around this idea, and in 2006, Rotorua hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships — putting the trails on the global map.
MOUNTAIN BIKING BECOMES PART OF THE FABRIC OF ROTORUA
The growth of mountain biking also brought in new kaupapa-driven businesses like Mountain Bike Rotorua, whose vision of sharing the forest with manuhiri (visitors) is grounded in manaakitanga (hospitality), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and whanaungatanga (connection).
In 2015, driven by Mountain Bike Rotorua in partnership with the local council and Skyline Rotorua, the humble city would become the first Southern Hemisphere stop for Crankworx, one of the biggest MTB festivals in the world. But even with all the international attention, Rotorua has never lost its local heart.
Today, Whakarewarewa Forest is home to over 250km of purpose-built trails — from gentle loops for beginners to gnarly downhill lines for elite riders. But what makes this place truly special isn’t just the riding. It’s the partnership behind it all: mana whenua, CNI, Timberlands, Rotorua Lakes Council, Mountain Bike Rotorua, local businesses, charitable organisations, the volunteers and the wider riding community working together to protect and share this taonga. Every ride here is a journey through land that holds stories, history, and a future shaped by people who care deeply about keeping it thriving — for everyone.
