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    • Mākara Peak's 25th birthday party
      • The official opening of Mākara Peak as a mountain bike park was celebrated 25 years to the day on the 11th of March 2024 at a wee gathering of past and present visionaries and sloggers who have been involved in the creation and evolution of the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park over the last two and a half decades. Lots of stories and Simon Kennett's photo album were shared, reminiscing of how far we have come. As well as birthday cake, the evening culminated in the planting of two Tōtara by Miro Kennett and Mark Kent to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the park. Planted just in time to provide some shade at the 50th anniversary!

    • Mākara Peak is 25!
      • Back when downhill bikes looked like this, the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park was born. 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park. There was a small ceremony on the 11th March 1999 that marked the occasion when Wellington City Council and the Mākara Peak MTB Supporters Club officially designated the Mākara Peak reserve as a mountain bike park. Tracks at the time consisted of Starfish, Ridgeline and Snake Charmer! Missing Link was in development and Koru was still a dream. Most of the terrain was covered in grass, scrub and pine trees, with only a few pockets of forest starting to regenerate. The park has come a long way since then! There will be a series of events to mark the 25th year with more comms to come out shortly.

    • Mākara Peak has merchandise!
      • Mākara Peak now has a merchandise store (hosted by Digitees). We are kicking things off with t-shirts featuring the five most popular trails in the park. Over time we will add more designs and other merch. Thanks for supporting. All sale proceeds go back into trails and conservation at Mākara Peak. Shop Mākara Peak

    • Koru refurbishment complete
      • Most people’s first experience of the Mākara Peak MTB park is the Koru trail - a meandering grade 2 trail that take riders and those on foot from the main park entrance through lush regenerating forest deep into the park. Koru has served the community well for the past 20 years, with tens of thousands of riders, runners and walkers enjoying this iconic trail every year. However the trail was starting to show its age and had crept out of grade in places. Thanks to funding and coordination from Wellington City Council, Koru has been given a significant makeover, bringing the trail up to scratch to meet national grade 2 trail specifications, with a new trail surface, widening, drainage improvements, renewal of structures and improvements to the rest areas along the length of the trail. Thanks for your patience while this major project has been undertaken.

    • Building offcuts repurposed for Mākara Peak MTB Park
      • Reproduced article: Building offcuts repurposed for mountain bike park The Living Pā is an innovative build project at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington that is aiming to meet the Living Building Challenge® certification. The summit of regenerative building, the programme includes stringent targets for the recycling, reusing, and tracking of waste. Published 3 November 2023 As part of this process, the Living Pā has donated timber piles to the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park for use in their many development projects, including new bike stands and seats around the park, including on the recently upgraded main entry trail to the park - the Koru Trail. The goal for the Living Pā is to significantly reduce or eliminate the production of waste in the first place, but when that isn’t possible, it needs to be managed to make sure it doesn’t end up in landfill. For timber, 90% of it must be upcycled or reused, and that’s where groups like the Mākara Peak Bike Park Supporters come in. “The Living Pā’s building contractor, L T McGuinness, reached out to our volunteer group with an opportunity to repurpose the material and not send it to landfill. The Mākara Peak Supporters have been longstanding volunteers, some for 20 years, and they have a number of projects on the go over the next year,” says Mark Kent, Park Ranger at Wellington City Council. The Mākara Peak Bike Park has the largest trail network in the lower North Island. Trails weave through 250 hectares of regenerating native bush, and conservation is an important aspect of the park. The Mākara Peak Supporters plant one tree for every metre of new track to offset the impact of bush clearance for track building. Tens of thousands of trees have been planted since the Park was opened in 1998. Some of the large timber piles from the Living Pā will be used to create bike stands at the beginner’s track, as well as being used for seating in the park. Some of the longer piles will be used for retaining walls across the park, and the timber has also been used to create a vehicle grate over a culvert. “The Mākara Peak Supporters group are looking at doing a new design for the skills area to give people the opportunity to ride over the logs,” Kent says. “It’s designed in a certain way to enhance skills.” Kent says not needing to buy timber for these purposes means they can use that money to help with other things like surfacing tracks or supporting other conservation efforts in the park. Rhonda Thomson, Living Pā Project Manager, says the design consultants, construction and project management team are having imaginative conversations about what they can do with construction materials—conversations well beyond what would typically happen for a building project. These conversations are about more than meeting the requirements of the Living Build Challenge, they’re about advocating for advanced benchmark practices, change and supporting local initiatives. “Waste is actually a precious thing,” Thomson says. “Landfill represents a lazy attitude to resources that come from the whenua. The kaitiaki role is about taking responsibility, and it’s this kind of viewpoint that the Pā encourages us to explore.” The recycled timber represents around 35 tonnes of material that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Some of it has been reused on site, and some of it has been donated to groups like the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park for the community to use and enjoy.

    • Planting season almost complete
      • Welcome to spring! Already it feels decidedly warmer and there's the smell of new growth in the air. We've had many plantings in the park over the last couple of weeks, and all have gone smoothly. We're very fortunate to have had no illness or show-stopping storms. Penny, Andrew and I did get a tad wet on Aratihi, but nothing quite like the previous visit with Claire. Most importantly, we finished off that area and made such an encouraging start on that end of Missing Link, that we got an extra two dozen seedlings (thanks to Forest & Bird) to infill the northeast half of Missing Link (done this evening, thanks to help from Caroline). <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Last Thursday Sarah and I finished off the Trickle Falls planting, moving further up the valley than ever before, with shade-tolerant miro, pukatea, porokaiwhiri and kohekohe. Earlier that day, an enthusiastic group from WSP helped plant along upper Pohatu, Peak Flow and lower North Face. Planting over such a large area was a bit of a logistical challenge, but the group were certainly up for it. <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > On Saturday our standard work party did another hike-n-plant session, this time on Sally Alley, Three Brothers, Smokin and Rimu. Three families turned up and we had just enough people to deal with five trays (containing a wide variety of seedlings, each needing its own special niche). <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Then on Monday, Peter brought a keen bunch of his workmates to the park to plant in the lower Koru area. That was to help get pukatea, nikau, and matai re-established there. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Just three planting parties left this season, and they are all going to be excellent! - 10am Sat the 3rd Sept - meet at the end of South Karori Rd, then walk into Bail Out to finish off the big planting mission at the new enclosures. This one involves a pretty decent walk in, and about a hundred seedlings in rocky ground, so we're hoping for a really good turnout. - 10am Sat the 10th Sept - meet at the top of Makara Hill Rd for planting up the new section of the T4 climb (which has yet to be opened to the public). This is a corner of the park you've probably never seen. It's well worth checking out. - 10am Sunday the 18th Sept - that's right, Sunday. That's so Ranger Mark can make it along and join in on our end-of-season feast. He's been sooooo helpful ferrying tools and seedlings around the park for us this winter. We aim to do some releasing at the Kohanga (planting 30 seedlings in any gaps we find along the way) and celebrate with some really nice kai at the end. Hope to see some of you soon. If not, thanks again for helping restore Makara Peak to her former glory this winter. Simon Kennett Planting Lead

    • 2022 AGM
      • The 2022 AGM is on at 6pm, Tuesday 13 September at the Karori Rec Centre. Come along early for some pizza and a chat with the committee. Then hear all about the year that's been, vote for the elected roles (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and let us know what you'd like to see happen in the park in the year ahead. All welcome! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • 2022 Top 10 most popular tracks
      • Thanks to the 400+ people who completed our Park Survey! We’ll share insights over the coming weeks, but first we’re going to announce the 2022 Top 10 most popular tracks at Mākara Peak. As voted by you. Number Ten: Leaping Lizard. Starting along an old farm track with a mix of jumps and punishing pinch climbs, you’re rewarded with a brake burning, arm cramping plummet down to the bottom end of the park. Remote and rough, the track doesn’t usually get much maintenance - until this year when we worked with WCC to fix the drainage and ruts. Feedback says it’s running as good as ever. What do you reckon? Love it or hate it? Do you ride it often? Leaping Lizard on Trailforks. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Plant, Ride, Drink - One Fat Bird Karma Keg
      • Can you think of a more balanced day? Spend the morning planting 230 native seedlings on Pōhatu, explore the park with new mates in the afternoon, before heading to One Fat Bird to drink beer for trails! Our awesome supporter One Fat Bird is keen to give back to the trails. They've kindly donated a karma keg to Trails Wellington to help fund upcoming projects. The concept is simple, pay what you want for a pint. You could pay $10, $20 or $100, how many metres of trail will you build? 100% of your payment goes towards building new trails. 10am - Meet at the bottom of North Face for Pōhatu Planting! 12pm - Meet at the container for a BBQ lunch - then head riding! 2pm - Head to One Fat Bird to raise money for trails! Email socialmedia@trailswellington.co.nz with any questions. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Come help us plant some natives!
      • Planting season is in full swing! We had the final Kohanga planting and we also finished off the lower exclosure and area between the exclosures! The weather played ball and the WORD turnout in the afternoon was impressive (and also productive). Those WORD kids have a lot of energy! <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > Planting schedule Come along and help us restore Makara Peak into a thriving native forest. It’s a great way to give back to the park. Check out the dates below. We’ve already had a couple of successful sessions with work done in the Kohanga. You just need to bring a sturdy pair of gloves. We provide the tools and snacks. 25 June - Meet Simon and Evan at the Allington Road entrance at 10am for planting on Miro and Smokin. 2 July - meet Andrew and Simon at the entrance to Bail Out at 10am (end of South Karori Road) for planting in the Bail Out exclosure. 9 July - meet at 10am at the entrance to Bail Out at the end of South Karori Road. We’ll be planting the Bail Out exclosure. 16 July - time for Leaping Lizard to get some planting action! Meet at the top of Leaping Lizard at 10am. 23 July - join Simon and help plant some more natives. Meet at 10am at the bottom of Aratihi.

    • Robins spotted again
      • Robins were seen in the park again recently. Conservationists are often amazed that rare birds are successfully breeding in a mountain bike park. They might know we're only a kilometre from Zealandia, but not be aware we run a network of 400 traps at Makara Peak (and hundreds more in the surrounding hills) - that's what really makes the difference. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Makara Peak in the 80s!
      • Check out this high-res aerial photo from 1980, back in the day when the government, in their infinite wisdom, still subsidised farmers to clear the land of native vegetation. It was quite a ways from the summit to the nearest tree! Restoring the forest is an epic mission, but every year we plant another couple of thousand trees, mostly rare species, is another step closer to achieving that multi-generation goal. <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • We’re heading into planting season
      • Every now and then some kind soul pops over to our website and makes a donation. These are hugely appreciated, as we do have a lot of expenses in our mission to develop a world class mountain bike park in a restored native forest. Lately we've been using your donations to fund extra weed control, extra trail maintenance, extra traps, and extra seedlings. Most of our seedlings come from Council's awesome Berhampore nursery and a good number from the great Forest & Bird nursery. But there are always a few tricky species that we need to purchase from commercial nurseries. Rimu, hinau and kamahi are three of the species we wouldn't be planting this year without your support - thanks! <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Mākara Peak trail crew dig days
      • The Sunday volunteer trail crew have been flat out this year creating handmade, bespoke berms at the bottom of Starfish and at the end of Lazy Fern. They also got into building new exits to Trickle Falls and Vertigo to take the track away from the stream which was destroying the trail each time it flooded. From the comments we’ve received many have already had the pleasure of experiencing the increase of speed on Starfish and Lazy Fern and new more technical exit to Trickles. It's great to see new faces turning up each week alongside the regulars. We dig pretty much every Sunday - you can find details on our Facebook page. No experience necessary - just turn up for as long as you can and we can show you the ropes. Also thanks to Gipps St Butchery and Parrotdog for fueling us. <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " >

    • Smokin gets some long overdue love
      • <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <a role="presentation" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > Smokin has been getting some long overdue attention thanks to Ranger Mark Kent and the team from TGL Contracting Limited. If you’re starting out mountain biking, Smokin is a great option for helping progress onto intermediate trails. It’s a gentle gradient with no scary drop offs on the side of the trail to distract you! This work is particularly focussed on improving the switchbacks and the flow by rebuilding berms to allow riders to safely carry more speed as they improve their skills. Thanks to Wellington City Council for funding this work as part of their commitment to Mākara Peak. Check out Smokin on Trailforks at https://www.trailforks.com/trails/smokin-20917 Help us do more great things at Mākara Peak by signing up to the Trails Wellington app or donate at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/makarapeak The track is still raw in places, so take care. Maybe even stay off it, if too wet, especially if the forecast is a bit dodgy.

    • The “middle bit” of Pōhatu is open!
      • “The middle bit” of Pōhatu is now open for riding! The official opening is on Sunday, but it’s too good not to share with you all now. Get to know the track before going all Rampage on it. Pre-ride, re-ride then free-ride 👍. This track pushes the boundaries of where and how you build a grade 4 track. Unsurprisingly it’s rocky. It’s also as steep, fast, and has some amazing rock work holding it all together. We know it will quickly become another “must ride” at Mākara Peak. Shout out to Trails Wellington for picking up the tab on this one, and to Tom, Scottie and Bryn for their help. Become a member of TW and help fund more trails like this. Thanks to Thomas, Ricky, Poval, Tryfan, Elliot, Liam and the rest of the TGL Contracting Limited team who have done the hard mahi, in some unforgiving conditions. From the Supporters, this project has been led by Andrew Cooper, with help from Kerei Thompson and the rest of the MPS Trail Crew. These guys have been on site each week, taking time out from their day jobs, working with TGL to help make the best track possible 👏 👏 . As usual WCC Ranger Mark Kent has been instrumental. (PS “the top bit” of Pōhatu is still under construction. Watch this space). <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Park open at Alert Level 3
      • WCC have confirmed the park will reopen when Wellington returns to Alert Level 3. All trails will be open, along with the carpark. The toilets and shower will not be open, and we recommend you don’t use the bike wash. Some other tips to help keep you and other park users safe: Stay local. Wear a mask, particularly on two-way tracks or if you're likely to be overtaking others (e.g. on descents shared with walkers). Ride by yourself or with other people from your bubble. Stay 2 metres away from others, particularly in the carpark and at the summit. Stay home if you're sick. Don't stop right at the end of a track - give others space to get past. Ride within your limits and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Stick to tracks you’re familiar with. Be patient - no passing on singletrack - wait for a wide enough spot or the end of a track. Be kind to one another. The following link specifically refers to mountain biking so you may want to refer to it: https://covid19.govt.nz/activities/sports-and-recreation/#sports-and-recreation-at-alert-level-3 Link to WCC advice https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2021/08/alert-level-3-aug-30-2021 <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " >

    • Park closed at Alert Level 4
      • Wellington City Council have advised us that Mākara Peak is closed while we are at Alert Level 4. This is to reduce the chance of people travelling within the Wellington region to ride their bikes. Check out WCC website for the latest information. Stay safe out there, and hopefully we’ll be back enjoying singeltrack goodness this weekend.

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