The Whatakatohea iwi in eastern Bay of Plenty, hopes a cycleway along the Motu River will boost tourism and revive communities hit by declines in forestry and farming.
Waatea News reports the $1.7 million being put into the Motu trails project is being hailed as the largest-ever Government investment in the Opotiki district.
Whakatohea Maori Trust Board chair Robert Edwards says that as well as providing construction and maintenance jobs for people in the villages of Matawai and Motu, there could be opportunities to tell visitors about the rich Maori history of the area.
He says there is "a lot of history in the valleys, blending right into Tuhoe country".
