The Motu Trails have just welcomed Opotiki Packing and Coolstorage Ltd onboard as an Official Partner.

OPAC delivers full orchard management, orchard services and post-harvest services to kiwifruit growers in the eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Te Puke and Hawke's Bay.

Opotiki Packing and Coolstorage Ltd has come onboard as a new partner of the Motu Trails.

'It's awesome to have OPAC recognize that the trails are an important asset to the Eastland region and support us as a partner,” says Jim Robinson of the Motu Trails Charitable Trust.

The Trust runs the Official Partner programme, with membership fees going towards promotion of the trails.

Numbers are growing and there are now 17 businesses and organisations signed up as Official Partners for the 2015/16 year, spanning the region from Ohope in the west to Gisborne in the east.

'I think businesses are seeing that the trails are bringing in long-term benefits,” says Jim.

He notes that in just the last month there have been magazine articles featuring Motu Trails in New Zealand Geographic magazine and RV Travel Lifestyle magazine as well as a five-page section in the AA Traveller Cycle Trail Guide.

'There's definitely a lot of interest in the Motu Trails and what's on offer in Eastland. By being members, the Official Partners are helping the Trust to share the news and encourage people to visit the Opotiki-Matawai-Gisborne region.

'Cycling is continuing to build nationally and internationally as a recreational and tourist activity. There are 23 Great Rides around the country forming the New Zealand Cycle Trail. People are going round doing lots of the rides and the Motu Trails fit into that bigger picture.”

Tourism New Zealand is running overseas campaigns based on cycling and of course the trails are brilliant for our local communities.

OPAC chief executive Ian Coventry says OPAC is pleased to support the Trails because 'they highlight the extraordinary natural environment we live in and provide a great opportunity to get out and enjoy it”.

'A number of our staff and growers are regular users of the trails, whether it's for a leisurely walk on the Dunes Trail or a full on blast down the Pakihi Track.

'With OPAC employing staff from all over New Zealand and from around the world, we see the trails as an added attraction, not just for locals but also for visitors who come to Opotiki and mix some seasonal work with time spent exploring the trails,” says Ian.

2015/16 Motu Trails Official Partners are: Eastland Pacific Motor Lodge, Hot Bread Shop Cafe, Island View Holiday Park, Jolly Stockman Hotel, Motu Community House, Motu Trails Hire & Shuttle/Bushaven, Motu Trails Limited, Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park, Ohope Beach Resort, OPAC, Opotiki Holiday Park, Opotiki i-SITE, Pacific Coast Highway Guide, Portside Hotel Gisborne, Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp, Toatoa Farmstay, and Weka Wilds.

In addition, Horizon Energy is a silver sponsor of the Motu Trails, while Ground Effect and Trail Fund NZ have both funded culverts for Whakaumu Track near Opotiki, which is being restored by volunteers. 'We also run a Friends of Motu programme as a way for individuals or smaller businesses to show support,” says Jim. He would love to see Official Partner numbers reach 20.

'Every membership helps us to do a little bit more promotion. Really, it's about taking a co-operative approach.”

To know more, visit www.motutrails.co.nz or email [email protected]