Te Awamutu: Check out new Te Ara Kihikihi trail

Waipa District Councillor Marcus Gower (right) and Mountain To Road Cycles owner Callum Fawcett on Te Ara Kihikihi.

To celebrate the completion of the new 4.5km trail between Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, the public is invited to an opening event this Saturday from 10am to noon.

Enjoy a celebratory ride on the trail and head to Albert Park for a free sausage sizzle, coffee cart, spot prizes, giveaways, bike safety checks and electric bike demos.

The 2.5m-wide track starts at Te Awamutu's Albert Park Drive and finishes at Herbert Street in Kihikihi.

The path is concrete in urban areas and crushed limestone in rural areas.

The new trail, named Te Ara Kihikihi, which translates to Kihikihi Trail, is a big win for the Waipa District, Councillor Marcus Gower says.

"The Kihikihi community has worked tirelessly over the last six years to see this trail built and we couldn't be happier," he says.

"It has huge community support and is already been eagerly used by walkers, cyclists and scooters."

Councillor Gower is supported by locals Peter Fraser, chair of the Kihikihi Ratepayers
Association, and Callum Fawcett, owner of Mountain To Road Cycles, in organising the opening event.

Mr Fraser says the opening day will be a celebration of community.

"There have been so many passionate supporters behind this project and we're all thrilled to celebrate it opening."

Mr Fawcett said the shared pathway will unite Kihikihi and Te Awamutu.

"It connects our towns and encourages more and more people to get out there and give it a try."

Over time the Council intends to build a network of cycle ways connecting historic places, towns and features of the district.