Welcome to our latest newsletter about Mount Iron Recreation Reserve in Wānaka.

Trail plan in the works for Mount Iron

Now that a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) has been adopted for Mount Iron Reserve, we have a set of policies to guide how the reserve can be used, enjoyed, maintained and protected. The RMP provides a framework for decision making when people or groups come to Council looking to undertake activities on the reserve.

Developing a Mount Iron Trail Plan

Council is developing a Trail Plan for Mount Iron that will outline what an integrated network of walking, biking and horse-riding trails could look like in the future. We're working with Bike Wānaka, the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (who are inputting on walking and biking trails) and the Upper Clutha Lakes Equestrian Access Group on this plan. 

Note: This doesn’t mean all the trails in a trail plan would be built immediately - the plan aims to provide a long-term view to guide the building of an integrated network. 

What's next?

A process is underway to ensure trail requests are guided by the RMP:

• Step one: The individual groups are developing what they would like to see for future trails on Mount Iron.
• Step two: The Trail Plan will be considered in relation to the objectives and policies in the RMP such as positive ecological outcomes, impacts on other reserve users, Kāi Tahu values, ongoing maintenance and safety. 
• Step three: The proposed Trail Plan will be considered by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board for approval in early 2026.
• Step four: If the Trail Plan is approved, groups can request approval to build trails aligned with the Trail Plan as they have funding and interest.

We’ll be engaging with other reserve user groups throughout this process such as conservation and recreation groups currently operating on Mount Iron.

Mountain biking trails

As part of the Trail Plan process, Bike Wānaka has approached Council to build a network of mountain bike trails on the northern side of Mount Iron, accessed via the reserve entrance on Hidden Hills Drive.

We've been working with Bike Wānaka to understand their proposal and to consider its alignment with the objectives and policies in the RMP.  

What's next?

• Bike Wānaka's proposed 'Stage 1' mountain bike trails (one uphill shared use trail and several interconnected downhill trails) will be considered by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) for approval at their meeting on 16 December 2025.
• If approved, Bike Wānaka will apply for resource consent, followed by trail building. These trails will then be incorporated into the overall Trail Plan.

If you are interested in following the progress of this plan you can attend the public WUCCB meeting in December. You can find details of this meeting closer to the time here. We'll also be providing updates in the next newsletter.

There is still a lot of work to be done before trails can be built and mountain biking can begin! Please don't build informal trails in the reserve.

As a reminder, biking is currently only allowed around the base of Mount Iron, between Anderson Road and Old Racecourse Road. No biking is allowed from the Hidden Hills entrance, on the Little Mount Iron trail or on trails to the Mount Iron summit.

Map showing biking and no biking areas on Mount Iron

Understanding Mount Iron's ecological value

We all know that Mount Iron is a special place. To help better preserve and protect the plants and animals that make it special, we're having an ecological report developed for the area.

The report will help understand what ecological values are present in the reserve, what opportunities there are for ecological enhancement (such as planting), and provide expert knowledge to inform future decision making in the reserve. 

During community engagement on the draft RMP for Mount Iron, ecological enhancement came through as a key theme which in turn is reflected in the policies.

A big shout out to the conservation groups already operating on Mount Iron and carrying out great ecological work - thanks Predator Free Wānaka and Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group! These groups, along with other local ecological groups and mana whenua will be providing their knowledge of the area into the report.

Keep an eye out for the report in early 2026 which we'll share with the community.

Efforts to support rabbit control

We’ve been undertaking lots of rabbit control on Mount Iron this winter with regular night shooting operations removing nearly 400 rabbits. A Pindone operation to target rabbits on Little Mount Iron was also carried out in August 2025. 

Reserve part closure for pest control

A professional contractor continues to carry out regular night shooting operations using thermal imaging. These take place twice a month on Sunday nights between 8.00pm and 12.00am in the southern western corner of the reserve up from the Allenby Place carpark (refer to operation area map below).

Here's what to expect when these take place:

• Contractors carry out night shooting within a cordoned off area 
• Signage and cordons will be at all main entry points to ensure no one can enter the area during the operation
• Please respect the cordon and DO NOT ENTER when present
• Public walking tracks will be closed in the operation area. If you are asked to leave the area for safety reasons, please do so
• Please be aware that noise from firearms, which are suppressed, might be heard outside the reserve. 

For up-to-date information on the scheduled night shoots please go to www.qldc.govt.nz/pest-control and follow QLDC Facebook.

Join a wilding tree working bee!

The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group (UCWTG) is gearing up for another season of wilding tree working bees in Mount Iron Reserve this spring. If you're keen to get involved and support with removing small wilding pests, please visit Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group 

UCWTG is holding a public meeting on Tuesday 2 December and welcomes residents to join for an evening of reflection and forward planning.

Come along to learn more, ask questions, and connect with others passionate about protecting this landscape from the spread of wilding trees.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday 2 December 
🕢 Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
📍 Location: Presbyterian Church, Tenby Street, Wānaka

Have a question or keen to find out more?

We’re happy to answer questions you may have about what's happening on Mount Iron Reserve. Email us at parksrequest@qldc.govt.nz or give our friendly customer service team a call on 03 443 0024.

For more details on how we are managing Mount Iron Reserve head to our QLDC webpage.