Trails Strategy

Franklin-North Waikato Tracks and Trails Strategy

NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa | Lincoln University

Waikato Awa, The Waikato River

Question

The Waikato shapes this place and its people, directing the rich fabric of settlements and activities that make up this place. How might a strategy help connect people with this, in ways that will connect locals and visitors with the Awa and the ways we can all care for the river’s health, life and stories, both now and for generations to come?

Outcome

The strategy utilises existing opportunities and addresses key challenges, and celebrates the capacity of the Waikato River and its many paths and journeys to inspire and connect people, and through these connections grow a trail network that creates active, healthy, and connected communities.

Project Oultine

The Waikato as a Connector
The Waikato River has shaped the history, culture, and livelihoods of the region. This strategy recognises the awa not only as a physical connector, but as a living presence that can guide how communities link with each other, with visitors, and with the land.

Collaboration at the Core
Workshops and discussions with iwi, local councils, central government agencies, and community groups shaped the direction of the strategy. This collective approach ensured that the outcomes reflect a shared vision and are anchored in the values of the people who live alongside the river.

Vision Mapping
The strategy maps the region’s waterways, wetlands, and lakes, highlighting how trails can trace these natural features and bring people into closer relationship with them. The vision is to create journeys that echo the flow of the river itself - connecting diverse communities and landscapes into a coherent whole.

Strategies and Foundation Projects
The plan is structured around six linked strategies and six foundation trail projects. Together, they form a framework that:

Strengthens existing government and community initiatives
Creates opportunities for active transport and recreation
Restores connections to the awa through cultural storytelling and environmental care
Builds resilience in the face of environmental and social challenges

A Shared Aspiration
More than a blueprint for trails, the Franklin–North Waikato Strategy is a commitment to care for the awa. It demonstrates how a regional vision, grounded in collaboration, can transform paths and tracks into a living network of connection, health, and belonging.

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