Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey said the government would provide 50% co-funding to any of the country’s 23 Great Rides wanting to establish the stations.
Great Rides operators in the South reacted with cautious enthusiasm to the news, while saying additional funding for other aspects of trail maintenance and improvement was also needed.
Central Otago Clutha Trails Ltd (COCTL) trail manager Shayne O’Connor said its trails did not expect to apply for the funding as they had "other priorities", and charging infrastructure was already well covered.
COCTL runs the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails.
"We don’t see the need for it on our trails, as most e-bikes now cover 60km easily which, combined with accommodation providers and other local infrastructure, means riders are well covered.
"We’d rather see the money go towards other aspects of supporting the trails, such as surface maintenance and improvements."
Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Trust chairwoman Nicola Wills said charging stations could be useful on some of the more remote sections of Great Rides such as theirs, like the Von Valley.
"What would be important for [us] is the type of chargers available, as they would probably need to be solar due to the remoteness of the terrain."
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail manager Xanthe Musgrave said the trail supported the initiative’s goals, although it would not be applying for funding at present.
"We recognise the importance of modernising infrastructure to enhance accessibility and promote sustainable tourism. Currently, we have chosen to direct our limited resources towards key areas that directly enhance the rider experience and trail quality. Our priorities include bolstering safety measures, working towards getting the trail entirely off-road, and addressing maintenance and weather resilience effectively."
Mr Doocey said the initiative aimed to improve accessibility for the trails and "unlock economic growth" in the regions.
“Every year, more than one million people enjoy the Great Rides and bring with them an estimated $1 billion to spend in the regions. This investment will contribute to the government’s goal of unlocking economic growth and supporting tourism operators to deliver world-class experiences.
“Demand for nature-based, low-impact tourism experiences is expected to increase in the coming years, alongside the availability and popularity of ebikes.
“We’re bringing cycle trails up-to-speed with modern and reliable e-bike infrastructure. This will help make them more accessible and more appealing to people of all ages and fitness levels."
