In response, Mountain Bike Rotorua’s owners – Takurua Mutu, Tuhua Mutu, Jayne Hendrikse, and Janine Kavanagh – have selected 10 deserving recipients to receive brand-new Giant bikes this Christmas, worth a total value of more than $10,000.

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,” company director Takurua Mutu said.

“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 had been a supporter of nearly all the Share the Ride programmes since 2015, becoming official partners in 2021.

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 deliver the bikes to the selected families.

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

“As the year draws to a close, the entire team at Mountain Bike Rotorua, 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.”