Government Invests $405K to Upgrade Visitor Facilities at Horopito Great Ride

The Government is investing in upgraded visitor facilities at Horopito on the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

More than 67,000 people pass through Horopito, including on the Great Ride each year, creating lasting memories while contributing the local economy along the way, Louise Upston says.

Horopito is located on the edge of the Tongariro National Park, near Ohakune.

This investment of $405,000 will help to rectify the current lack of visitor infrastructure at a key junction through the construction of public toilets, safe shuttle access, parking and other visitor facilities at Horopito.

This will benefit visitors and locals alike while helping to ensure one of New Zealand's Great Rides continues to provide a safe, high-quality experience for the thousands of people who use the trail every year.

The project is ready to start and expected to encourage longer stays in the region while improving accessibility, safety and visitor satisfaction, ensuring the visitors continue to flow for many years to come.

As visitor numbers continue to grow, we need to ensure destinations have the infrastructure in place to support that growth.

By investing in the infrastructure that supports great visitor experiences, we're helping set regional New Zealand up for the future, ensuring communities can welcome more visitors, deliver great experiences, and local businesses and communities benefit from sustainable tourism growth.