An aerial image of one of the offshore habitats with four tidal pools installed.

Latest update on Te Ara Tupua

Kia ora,

The coastal edge of the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua now has two completed offshore habitats that Wellingtonians are able to glimpse on their day-to-day commute. These offshore habitats provide a place for flying birds to land and roost clear of construction activity on our project, and had to be built early in the project to meet our environmental requirements.

Four concrete tidal pools have now been installed at each offshore habitat and are designed to mimic the rocky shore. These are placed in and around the rocks that form the offshore habitats, and will continue to support marine ecosystems for species such as crabs, molluscs, sea urchins, plankton and other invertebrates. 

Meanwhile, towards the midpoint of the project, construction of our temporary wharf Karanga Landing is almost complete. On Honiana Te Puni Reserve, the project infromation centre, located in the Tāwharau Pods will open its doors to the public next week. Regular cyclists will be happy to hear that the eastern part of the shared cycle path behind the site for the new rowing and water ski club building is ready to be sealed.

Check out the updates and photos from our team in the update below! 

Progress at Karanga Landing as the temporary wharf nears completion.

Opposite the BP Petrol station, you may have seen construction of Karanga Landing; a long pier reaching out towards Matiu Island.

Its name acknowledges the original name of this culturally significant site Pari Karangaranga meaning the Cliff of Echoes. The name references and recalls Māori passing along the long gravel beaches,with its lofty rocky cliff towering above them, used to listen fearfully for the voice of a wairua, or spirit, in the heights as this was supposed to be the “reo” or voice of a woman.

The Karanga Landing has been constructed at the project midpoint to allow for two additional work faces heading towards Pito-One and Ngā Ūranga. Machinery and materials can now be transported over by barge to commence construction.

Using a temporary wharf in this location was an advantage to the project. It was identified during planning stages as a way to reduce construction timeframes – saving up to nine months. 

Once this had been confirmed, the area was scoped by project ecologists, through underwater surveys. These concluded that the wharf’s current location would be low impact to the marine environment - while additional environmental measures were planned for the future. The wharf will be completely removed once it is no longer needed for construction.

With the completion of this wharf, work on the new coastal edges (the embankments and walls that make the project resilient to damage by waves) can begin in both directions. We look forward to sharing more project updates from multiple locations along the project area as construction picks up pace.

Temporary Shared Cycle Path through Honiana Te Puni Reserve

A temporary shared cycle path will be in place from Thursday, 2nd November highlighted in green on the map below. Our construction team will start work preparing and sealing the asphalt on the permanent shared path behind the Water Ski Club and Rowing Association building. 

This is estimated to take three weeks and will have a temporary path crossing through the new carpark area. There will be construction fences in place with clear signs indicating which direction to go.

Image above: the length of Karanga Landing, temporary wharf constructed to allow for barges to transport machinery and materials to the project midpoint.

Image below: map of temporary shared cycle path through Honiana Te Puni Reserve.

Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One information centre

The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One information centre, located on Honiana Te Puni Reserve will be open to the public next week Tuesday - Thursday between 10am - 1pm.

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 supports a partnership between Waka Kotahi, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

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

Keep in touch

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

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