Image above: Second vertical seawall in construction.

Construction Update

Our team are making steady progress on the second seawall,with backfill being compacted in behind the structure.

The vertical seawall designs impact a smaller area (or footprint) of the coastline than the sloped concrete block walls or rock embankments (revetments). We took this approach to avoid impacting gravel beaches which provide important habitats, and to minimise disruptions to wildlife. Once the seawalls have been completed, our construction teams will work with ecologists to relocate seaweed and natural beach materials such as small rocks to the area in front of the seawall as outlined in consent conditions.

In the middle of the project, we have commenced work on culverts where stormwater and natural stream outlets connect to Te Whanganui-a-Tara. These are used by native fish populations which require alterations due to the footprint of Te Ara Tupua. Many native freshwater fish species migrate between fresh water and salt water to complete their lifecycle therefore it is important to improve fish passage outlets to maintain regional populations of fish into the harbour.
 

Te Ara Tupua flyover

Fly along Te Ara Tupua as Charlie Rudd our project Environment Coach provides a section-by-section update and insight into the history of the whenua and the works that are happening along the coastal edges of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Pito-One community dune planting

On Thursday 25th July we got to work planting 500 native grasses and shrubs along the eastern end of Pito-One Beach.  With the support of Friends of Petone Beach and motivated students from Hutt Valley High and Sacred Heart Petone, they made quick work on planting along the foredune, restoring and enhancing the mauri of dunes along the beach. "It was cool to get out of the classroom and come down and help on a beach that I visit every week!" said a student of Sacred Heart Petone school.

Coastal foredunes are the most dynamic part of a dune system. They occupy the drier raised coastal sand where dry beach sand is moved inland by wind and trapped by plants to create and build the dunes. Natural sand dunes play a vital role in protecting our beaches, coastline and coast development from  hazards such as erosion, flooding and storm damage.  

Thank you to all our volunteers, it was a great opportunity for the project team to support the work that Friends of Petone Beach have been doing over the last 19 years, while talking to locals about the progress of Te Ara Tupua as we approach the halfway mark.

If you are interested in working alongside Friends of Petone Beach, look out for the Coast Care banner every first and third Thursday morning of each month. Everyone is welcome, tools and gloves are provided.

Image below: Students from Sacred Heart Petone after a morning of dune planting.
Image above: Foredune plants thriving on the eastern end of Pito-One beach planted by Friends of Petone Beach over the last 19 years.

Penguin habitat modification zone

Our first project kororā/little blue penguin habitat is now complete with planting and nestboxes installed as breeding season commences.

We have enhanced an area of the man-made coastline at the northern end of the project to provide increased nesting opportunities for the birds and protection from construction and dogs. This year, there has been a number of wildlife deaths due to dog attacks.

Please be a responsible dog owner and be aware of your obligations as a dog owner under the Dog Control Act 1996 and ensure our furry family members are not injuring, endangering or causing distress to protected wildlife.

Image Below: Ecologists releasing kororā into penguin habitat modification zone.

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