Video: Reef Enhancement video include artist impression of Reef 'pyramid' units on seafloor.

Reef Enhancement is a shore thing

The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua is being built along the coastline of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour. 

For Te Ara Tupua to be possible, resource consent conditions set out a requirement to improve habitat and water quality as compensation for the environmental impact of reclamation into the harbour.

In a New Zealand first, the Te Ara Tupua Reef Enhancement initiative has been designed to do exactly this. Developed collaboratively by the project team and iwi mana whenua Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, the plans integrate mātauranga Māori with global ecological science.

Fifty-four engineered 'pyramid' units will be cast in concrete and submerged off the western edge of Pito-One, Petone in May this year.

Each pyramid unit is 4m long by 4m wide, and 5m tall, weighing approx. 22 tonnes. These will be placed 7-10 metres below sea level with a minimum 2m clearance at low tide in clusters of three. The units have been designed to attract and accommodate fish while providing a surface for marine plants and shellfish to grow on. Soon after they are placed, algae, plants, and a variety of shellfish will begin to attach to the concrete surfaces, carried on the movement of water around the harbour.

Together with iwi mana whenua, we’ll be monitoring the progress of this growth with regular inspections by divers.

Opening of Waimarino

On Saturday 24th February, Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui and the project team officially opened Waimarino, the new Rowing and Waterski Clubs Building at Honiana Te Puni Reserve. The new purpose-built building was built due to the clubs' existing buildings being within the construction area of Te Ara Tupua.

The name Waimarino was gifted by Kura Moeahu with the narrative “Te waimarino o te hau raki” which references the calm waters along the coastline from Ngā Ūranga to Pito-one when the prevailing northerly winds blow.

We wish to thank members of Puharikiriki o Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui (pictured above) for leading us through the dawn opening and ensuring that it was an iwi led and tikanga focused event. Honiana Te Puni Reserve is culturally significant land owned by Taranaki Whānui.

The opening was attended by representatives from iwi mana whenua, the Hutt City Council, NZTA Waka Kotahi, Te Ara Tupua Alliance, Wellington Rowing Association and Wellington Waterski Club.

The name Waimarino connects with the narrative of the cultural art installation that adorns the exterior of the building. Designed by iwi artist Len Hetet, Te Herenga Whenua, Te Herenga Tangata, Te Herenga Tupuna (Bound to the Land, Bound to the People, Bound to the Ancestors) depicts the many land masses that were created by Ngake and Whātaitai from the ancestral mountains, waterways and villages to all the lands that lie within the realm of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. It acknowledges how Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui pays homage to the land, people and ancestors, the composition of the artwork represents the rhythmical flow of karakia, oratory and waiata (incantations, speeches and song).

Image above: Members of Puharikiriki o Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui
Images below: Selection of pictures from the opening of Waimarino.

New Carpark on Honiana Te Puni Reserve

The new carpark in front of Waimarino is now open to the public.

The temporary carpark on the western end of Pito-One, Petone will be closed from Monday, 26th February as our construction team move to this area to commence work on completing the shared path that will tie in with Te Ara Tupua.

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