Causeway and vertical seawall extending south from Kiwirail traction station at Horokiwi,

Construction update

Construction on the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua is continuing to work along the coastal edges of Te Whanganui-a-Tara with culverts, chimney drains and rock being placed at pace.

With all eight underground bridge piles in place, the team are expecting the delivery of the first concrete piers next month. These will be installed during the year. The bridge design was one of the more complex components of the project, crossing over the rail corridor and State Highway with a narrow footprint and coastal reclamation to consider.

Work continues on the vertical seawall extending in both directions from the Kiwirail Traction Station (pictured above). The traction station is a key facility required for the operation of the existing rail network. Scheduled to go live next month, the traction station improves the overall voltage for trains.

Pictured above: Shaun Nuku and Dr Ani Kainamu who have been awarded the Reef research project.

Reef Research Project Awarded

Following a review of submissions, the Mana Whenua Steering Group (MWSG) which includes representatives from Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, together with New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are pleased to announce the Reef Research Project funding has been awarded to Shaun Nuku (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga, Ngāti Hauiti) who will be supported by Dr Ani Kainamu (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa).

Implementing the Kaitiaki Strategy and their vision for a thriving new reef habitat that enhances the mouri of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Shaun and and Ani will co-create a research programme that focuses on facilitating the effective restoration of an ecosystem conducive to fisheries, integrating mātauranga Māori and scientific principles. 

This will be applied research with a collaborative approach, ensuring that it weaves together many of the strands that have contributed to the reef, ki uta ki tai (the journey of water). 

This project is created to align with the project Kaitiaki Strategy underpinned by a set of principles that guide Mana Whenua aspirations and expectations for the Project.

We look forward to working with iwi mana whenua sharing insights and data alongside the ecological and cultural monitoring plan for Te Ara Tupua.

Pictured below: Some of the reef units being placed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara in June 2024.

Te Ara Tupua stall at Petone Rotary Fair.

Sharing milestones with the community to deliver for Wellington and the Hutt Valley

Over the last three weeks the project team have been involved in a number of community events including Petone Rotary Fair.

A beloved Lower Hutt tradition, Petone Rotary Fair brings together local businesses, artisans, and entertainers in a vibrant market setting along Jackson Street. Amongst the 250 stalls up to 100 people visited the Te Ara Tupua project stall.

There were plenty of questions from locals who have been keeping a watchful eye on the construction as the team transform the coastal edges of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. 

One of the most commons questions was: “Why did you choose to build this on the seaward side instead of the landward side?” 

It was a great ice-breaker moment for our team to highlight that the coastline between Ngā Ūranga and Pito-one is a crucial infrastructure corridor. Thousands of people and tonnes of freight move along it each day in trains, trucks, cars and buses. Te Ara Tupua’s new seawalls and rock embankments (revetments) will help protect this corridor from the damaging effects of storms. In 2013 a severe storm washed out the rail line which had an estimate economic impact of transport disruption costing between $12 million and $43 million.

The path is adjacent to the Wellington Fault line, therefore in the event of a major seismic event that blocks the road or rail lines, the path will be able to act as an emergency recovery route between Wellington and Lower Hutt.

Having a presence at community events and supporting a community like this offers a valuable opportunity for us to share that projects like Te Ara Tupua are not only transformative but also creating an enduring legacy. It was wonderful to catch a glimpse of the communities’ aspirations for when Te Ara Tupua is complete.

About us

The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua is a project to provide better resilience to transport links between Wellington and Lower Hutt, with new walking and cycling choices.

It has been developed in partnership between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, alongside local councils.

It is being delivered by Te Ara Tupua Alliance, made up of Tonkin + Taylor, Downer NZ, and HEB Construction. 

More information

For more information on the Te Ara Tupua project, contact us at TeAraTupua@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/TeAraTupua