Ropes and Thrills Rotorua looks to secure funding

A four-level high-ropes course and adventure hub planned for a site next to Rotorua’s Waipā Mountain Bike park is currently seeking investment in order to be built.

Entrepreneur Alex Schmid, the founder of Ropes and Thrills Rotorua, has secured all necessary consents and approvals for the development, including resource and building consents along with lease agreements and has completed a land survey for the site - leaving the project “investment ready.”

Planned as a significant addition to Rotorua’s adventure tourism offerings, the proposed family-friendly attraction is expected to create up to 20 part-time and full-time jobs.

Schmid has been planning the development since he was a former representative for German ropes course and adventure attraction manufacturer KristallTurm. With over 60 installations in 30 countries, KristallTurm is a leading brand in the high ropes course industry, with products built to the highest European safety and German quality standards. The proposed family-friendly attraction is expected to create up to 20 part-time and full-time jobs and will be a significant addition to Rotorua’s adventure tourism offerings. Schmid, a keen mountain biker and user of the Waipā Mountain Bike park, saw the potential for a high-ropes course at the site, which complements the 300,000 users of the adjacent attraction.

Anticipating that domestic tourists will make up about 70% of Ropes and Thrills Rotorua’s clientele, Schmid plans to make the attraction affordable for groups, friends, and families, with strong community links.

The proposed attraction will consist of a four-level, 20-metre high-ropes course with different difficulty ranges, with guests able to choose the levels they would like to try. A children’s course will also be included, and future plans and site space will allow a zipline to operate from the structure.

Schmid is planning to expand the business in both New Zealand and Australia, having already founded the Redwoods Treewalk development.

The project has been stalled during lockdowns but has plans developed prior to the pandemic. Schmid believes that similar offerings in Rotorua have shown that adventure tourism “could withstand the worst crisis you could ever imagine.”

In a recent comment, Schmid expressed his disappointment that projects like this are often rejected by New Zealand banks as they consider them startups, despite the fact that ropes courses exist in the country and the KristallTurm concept has been around for more than 10 years, winning several German government awards. This highlights the challenges faced by innovative projects seeking funding in the current climate.

Andrew Wilson, Rotorua NZ Chief Executive, said that the high-ropes system had a strong track record in adventure eco-tourism, having been installed in more than 60 locations in 30 countries. He added that this gives him confidence that the project will deliver a world-class tourism product in Rotorua, enhancing the area’s suite of offerings as a destination.

Red Stag Timber Commercial Manager, Paul Laing, said that the project aligns with what was envisioned at the park long-term, adding that “it’s something that added to the offering out here at Waipā. Something that utilised the trees. The beauty of this system is that the trees are a part of it.”

For more information contact Alex Schmid, KristallTurm® National Sales Director New Zealand & Australia and Managing Director 4nature Ltd on +64 21 08401156, E: schmid.alex@kristallturm.co.nz, www.kristallturm.co.nz