O Mahurangi project update

28 February 2025

Timelapse video of the Wēiti bridge from July 2024 to February 2025

Wēiti River bridge progress

Last July, we closed the Wēiti River channel for two months to complete our temporary staging platform on the eastern side. The temporary staging is more than 500m long and is critical for constructing the bridge.

Since then, we have closed the channel a few times to enable us to move large equipment and heavy material across the river. The temporary staging has a removable bridge portion that allows us to close the river channel for small periods, limiting the impact to river users. 

So far the team has constructed more than 60 bored piles, including 4 at 3m in diameter, some of the largest marine piles in New Zealand – requiring over 300m3 of concrete each.

Piers 1 and 2 are our land based piers on the Stillwater side of the bridge. Now at their final height you can see how high up the base of the future bridge will be, and soon you will notice the start of the bridge deck being constructed.

Construction of the complex V-Piers at Pier 3, which will be over 60m high when completed has begun and will continue throughout 2025.

Watch the timelapse footage above, that shows how the bridge is progression since July 2024, when we installed our temporary staging platform on the eastern side of the river.

Weiti River bridge staging platform

Upcoming river closure

There will be an intermittent closure through the navigable channel while we move the piling rig from the eastern side, now that the Pier 4 piles are complete. 

The closure will be on Thursday 13 March, up to a maximum 24 hours, depending on the weather.

During our working day as construction continues, loads will regularly be lifted over the navigable gap requiring the channel to be intermittently closed for short durations at these times. This is to keep all river users safe and ensure no vessel passes beneath a suspended load.

We ask all vessels to notify the project via VHF CH73 or 0800 PENLINK and our project team will direct you accordingly via safety vessel and/ or hand signals.

Cedar Terrace temporary closure map

Cedar Terrace temporary closure

From Tuesday 25 March our long-term temporary traffic management will be in place to build the new alignment of Whangaparaoa Road, and future Cedar Terrace intersection.

While we are building the new alignment 'offline', and able to keep traffic flowing on the exisiting Whangaparaoa Road, we will close be closing the intersection with Cedar Terrace for approximately 12 months.   

All Cedar Terrace traffic will detour via Scott and Norfolk Roads. While travelling through the area, please remember to keep to the posted speed limits.

Our team regularly updates nearby neighbours. If you live in the vicinity and wish to receive the Whangaparāoa updates, sign up here for work notifications.

Project Kaitiaki - Wiremu and Eddie

Staff spotlight: Te Aukaha - Kaitiaki

O Mahurangi is the first Auckland project to have our iwi partners embedded on the project. Te Aukaha is the mana whenua operational rōpu for O Mahurangi and provides leadership, advice and support to the project.

One aspect of Te Aukaha are the Kaitiaki, Eddie and Wiremu, who work out in the field with our construction teams -

Wiremu
What does your job involve?
I’m a Kaitiaki, which means I get to do a bit of everything—ecological work, cultural harvesting, te taiao monitoring, and environmental mahi. No two days are the same. I’m always out in the field, helping where I can and learning heaps along the way. I also give cultural guidance when needed, making sure tikanga is respected in the work we do.

What’s your favourite part of the job?
The opportunity to learn so many different skills by working with different teams. Every day I pick up something new, which helps build my skill set and way of thinking for the future. Also, being able to bring tikanga into everyday life—even in the small things, like reminding people not to put their pōtai on the table—makes a big difference.

Which teams do you work with the most?
Pretty much everyone out in the field! I work with the environmental team, ecologists, archaeologists, supervisors, and managers—anyone I cross paths with on-site.

Eddie
What does your job involve?
I’m a Kaitiaki Taiao, responsible for a range of mahi including ecological work, cultural harvesting, te taiao monitoring, and environmental projects. I’ve been in this role for over two years, initially working mostly in the field, but now I’m more involved in the operational and administrative side of things. While my role has shifted, I still get out there when needed, primarily to provide cultural guidance and support.

What’s your favourite part of the job?
Being able to uphold the tikanga and mana of my tūpuna by ensuring our presence and values are embedded in the work being done. I also value the connections I’ve built over the years, as every team brings different expertise, and I’m constantly learning through those interactions.

Which teams do you work with the most?
I work closely with other kaitiaki, the environmental team, ecologists, archaeologists, managers, and supervisors. Over the past two years, I’ve built connections across the project and would consider myself an all-rounder when it comes to collaboration and engagement.

More information

For more information on the O Mahurangi project, contact us at omahurangi@nzta.govt.nz or by calling 0800 7365 465.

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