Mountain Bike Rotorua is continuing its celebrated community initiative, Share the Ride for Xmas, by gifting brand-new Giant mountain bikes to 10 local whānau.

The programme invites the community to nominate deserving individuals and families who would benefit greatly from having a new mountain bike.

Over the past few weeks, dozens of heartfelt nominations have been submitted, sharing stories of individuals facing mobility challenges, enduring chronic pain, or dedicating their time to voluntary work for the community.

Despite their efforts and contributions, many nominees share a common struggle: the inability to afford their own bicycles.

In response, Mountain Bike Rotorua’s owners - Takurua Mutu, Tuhua Mutu, Jayne Hendrikse and Janine Kavanagh - have selected 10 deserving recipients to receive new Giant bikes this Christmas, valued at over $1000 each.

Since its inception, Share the Ride has delivered more than 300 bikes to the Rotorua community. The programme continues a legacy of fostering connection, mobility, and joy through cycling.

“We are always both humbled by the stories and excited to be able to support those most in need in our community through our Share the Ride programmes,” said company director Takurua Mutu.

“We wholeheartedly recognise that there are very few organisations supporting grassroots mountain biking in Rotorua.

“Our aim is to lower barriers as much as possible and enable those who don’t have the means to become part of the riding community in one of the greatest mountain biking destinations in the world.

“We are proud to be leaders in this space, and we couldn’t do it without our amazing bike partners, Giant Bicycles New Zealand.”

Giant Bicycles New Zealand has been a steadfast supporter of nearly all the Share the Ride programmes since their beginning in 2015, becoming official partners in 2021 after the loss of co-funding from the local club.

Their ongoing contribution has been instrumental in ensuring the initiative’s success.

Together with Mountain Bike Rotorua, they have enabled many Rotorua locals to experience the freedom and joy of cycling.

This year’s bike recipients will receive their gifts just in time for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Takurua Mutu, Jayne Hendrikse, and their daughter, Maia Mutu, will personally deliver the bikes to the selected families, ensuring the joy of unwrapping these transformative gifts extends to Christmas morning.

“Mountain Bike Rotorua is proud to continue making a difference in the lives of Rotorua locals through initiatives like Share the Ride for Xmas,” said Mutu.

“As the year draws to a close, the entire team at Mountain Bike Rotorua, along with our wider group of companies including Tohu Experiences and Crankworx, reflects on the power of community and the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.”