Details of NZCT funding and how to apply
Information about the type of funding available and eligibility criteria.
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Who can apply
The Fund is open to Great Rides governance organisations that are:
- part of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails
- full members of New Zealand Cycle Trails Incorporated (NZCT Inc).
The trail must:
- have been approved for opening by MBIE and NZCT Inc
- hold approved Great Ride status, as provided by the Tourism Minister.
Funding for infrastructure upgrades and renewals on the existing Great Rides
There is $9 million available from the NZCT Fund over two years to support infrastructure upgrades and replacements on existing Great Rides.
This is a contestable funding round and it is open to Great Ride governance organisations. This funding round will follow a two-stage process:
Stage one
Stage one will call for expressions of interest for projects for the contestable funding round from the Great Rides. Expressions of interest will be assessed by the NZCT Evaluation Panel against the investment criteria and only shortlisted projects will be invited to submit a detailed business case application for stage two.
Stage two
Stage two will require a detailed business case to be developed for projects that progress from stage one submissions. Up to $30,000 per project will also be made available from the NZCT Fund for the development of a cost-benefit analysis or engineering assessment for projects over $1 million.
The funding round is not intended to expand the number of Great Rides or to construct new trails. It focuses on strategic investment into the Great Rides that deliver on one or more of the following investment priorities below:
- Enhancements to align with the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund design guidelines:
- Enhancement projects that address the audit findings of a Great Ride or inconsistencies with design specifications for the grading of a Great Ride.
- Enhancements to better cope with extreme weather:
- Major capital improvement projects that would enable a Great Ride to better withstand extreme weather events.
- Extensions and enhancements that deliver economic benefits to host communities:
- Enhancements or extensions that have a demonstrable economic impact and benefit for the local communities that host a Great Ride.
The NZCT Fund will contribute a minimum of $75,000 and a maximum of $3 million per project.
All successful projects will be expected to be completed within two years of approval.
Applicants will be required to provide co-funding of between 25 and 50 per cent of the total project cost, based on the differential co-funding ratios that are used for the Great Ride annual maintenance funding. In-kind contributions will not be considered as co-funding.
The funding round opens for applications from 31 March 2025.
Expression of Interest Application Form will be available on 31 March 2025.
Extreme event recovery works
The NZCT Fund has the scope to provide funding to Great Ride governance organisations to repair damage caused by extreme events. This may include but is not limited to situations including:
- storm damage
- single-event vandalism
- fire
- flooding.
Extreme events applications must be submitted on the approved template.
Extreme Event application form [DOCX 179KB]
Funding for Great Ride trail managers and annual maintenance
Up to $2.4 million per annum of the NZCT Fund is ring-fenced to co-fund the employment of trail managers and annual maintenance of the Great Rides.
Funding for Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Incorporated
The NZCT Fund provides annual operational funding for Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Incorporated (NZCT Inc).
NZCT Inc is the national membership body for the Great Rides.
Summary of total funding
| Year | Funding type | Funding allocated | Project summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 to 2026 | Operational | $900,000 | Operational funding for 3 years. |
| 2024 to 2026 | Services Agreement | $900,000 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2022 to 2023 | Services Agreement | $327,360 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2020 to 2022 | Operational | $750,000 | Operational funding for 3 years. |
| 2021 | Services Agreement | $475,000 | Ngā Haerenga Branded Signage. |
| 2020 to 2021 | Services Agreement | $250,000 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2019 to 2020 | Services Agreement | $200,000 | Funding for improvement and Growth of the Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2018 to 2019 | Operational/Services | $250,000 | Funding for improvement and growth of the Great Rides of Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2018 | Services Agreement | $19,500 | Scoping study of funding sources for the New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc. |
| 2017 to 2018 | Operational/Services | $700,000 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2016 | Operational/Services | $100,000 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| 2014 to 2015 | Operational/Services | $719,000 | Funding for the delivery of quality assurance, data management and brand promotion for the New Zealand Cycle Trail. |
| Total NZCT funding | $5,590,860 | ||