Motu Trails Cycleway

Pakihi Track caution, 5 September >> heavy rain a few days ago has caused a track dropout, about 6km from Pakihi road end. The section is very narrow for about 10 metres. Walk with care, bike on outside. If there is further rain it may cause the dropout to widen.

We aim to re-bench the section next week.

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Great news for bike servicing in Ōpōtiki >>

Bike repairs and core bike supplies are now available at Eastern Bay Motors in Ōpōtiki.

Hedley Meacheam, new owner of Eastern Bay Motors, has just set up a bike workshop. Hedley has in the past been a bike shop mechanic, he loves everything bikes, and does a quality job.

Hedley has himself done a lot of cycling/bikepacking, adventure racing/multisport, and more, so he understands the need for a fast and reliable bike repair, if you’re on the road and something needs fixing.

Hedley supports Motu Trails and the backcountry — he has done volunteer work for Backcountry Trust and he has joined the Motu Trails official partner programme.

If you’re aiming to ride Motu Trails, Kōpiko Aotearoa, etc, make a note:
Eastern Bay Motors
18 Elliott Street, Ōpōtiki
Phone 07 3154 6142

Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand Motu Trails Cycleway

For decades, the 'boulders' section of Pakihi Track has been a headache, with the track scoured away by the river each big flood, presenting a tricky scramble for track users. Carrying a bike up it was not easy.

Hopefully this is an enduring solution.

In about 15 sessions over several months we've filled gabion baskets with river rock to build a track through the section. This is our best shot.

The first photo shows the section after a flood a few years back — that is, the problem. Photos following that, show the gabion build.

Anyway, Pakihi Track is in good condition. Motu Road will be reopen very soon.

Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand

Pakihi hut is proudly functional rather than fancy and all the better for it. Six bunks + plenty of space under the covered verandah, a stunning location close to the river, and after the recent comprehensive refurbishment by Backcountry Trust, re-roofed, re-painted, dry, and packing a powerful little wood stove.

Pakihi hut is 9.3km from Pakihi road end, 11km from Motu Road. No bookings, hut ticket $10 per night. Plenty of people walk in from Pakihi road end (about 2-3 hrs walk), stay the night, then walk out. It's also used by hunters, track workers, and of course cyclists / bike-packers. At night you'd be very lucky to hear a kiwi, but you'll probably hear ruru (morepork), weka and, come the day, maybe a whio (blue duck).

Talk to the team at Ōpōtiki isite Visitor Information Centre for more.

Motu Road was in full scenic mode this morning. North side of Meremere hill.

Pakihi Track bottom 9km, from the hut to Pakihi road end, was maintained today (8 July 2026) and is in great condition. Top 11km of track last maintained 24 June. With the recent rain everything is about as green as green gets. All photos today.

Update 10 July, lower track still mint, we raked to 3km above hut today (Friday).

Motu Road to Toatoa this morning, hopefully another month and the road will again be clear from end-to-end.

Some neat photos capturing the vibe of Pakihi Track. These taken by Strike Photography, from last summer when Mitch, Haimona and others rode down the track as part of an epic bike packing journey, looping together Rere Falls Trail, Motu Trails and SH35.

Track update 1 July 2026. Pakihi is in VG condition, the bottom half was maintained yesterday, 30 June, no fresh slips or windfalls. Dunes Trail also in VG condition, the gravel always packs down in winter so nice smooth riding. Motu Road, weather permitting, work begins 20 July, to clear the slip and reopen vehicle through-access on Motu Road.

Welcome news on Motu Road 25 June 2026.

Since November 2025, Motu Road has had a large slip blocking through-access. This has impacted lots of trip plans, and made it difficult to get to the top of Pakihi Track. Good news, work on clearing the slip is planned to start next month.

Here are some core details from Opotiki District Council for the clearing of the Motu Road slip.

Council staff and geotechnical specialists have reviewed the results from drilling at the main slip site, they and the contractor are now finalising a safe methodology for removing the slip debris from the road, and, finalising a suitable location for placement of the removed material.

Subject to weather, the aim is to have machines on the ground by 20 July.

Once works begin, the site will be an active construction area and FULLY CLOSED to the public at all times, including outside working hours. This is due to the safety risks associated with earthworks and ground stability. The message is to not enter the site under any circumstances during this time — so please don't.

During work there will still be access to top of Pakihi Track via Motu village/Matawai.

Funding from NZTA/Waka Kotahi will enable the work.

Obviously work progress will be weather dependent.

.. Further updates as they come to hand.

Photo is from above Whitikau valley, looking north, with Motu Road visible. Credit: Ian Mcleod.

Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand