Members of the Mana Whenua Steering Group

A new partnership

We are very excited to announce an important new partnership with Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika to guide the walking and cycling projects between Wellington and Hutt Valley.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency recognises and respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and we aim to work with mana whenua on our projects to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

We have established a Mana Whenua Steering Group, made up of representatives from Taranaki Whanui and the Transport Agency, to provide leadership on the project including design work, environmental planning, and construction.

We believe that partnering with mana whenua will ensure that this project delivers the greatest possible benefit and enjoyment for all Wellingtonians and visitors to our region.

You can read more about our partnership with Taranaki Whanui here. 

Te Ara Tupua Iwi Advisor Kara Puketapu-Dentice discusses the project (video link)

Introducing Te Ara Tupua

Introducing Te Ara Tupua
Prise open the great mouth of the fish of Maui
Summoning from the depths of the fresh water lake
Come forth the two ancient phenomena Ngake and Whataitai
Giving birth to “Te Ara Tupua”

One of the first actions of the steering group has been the adoption of a new name for the Wellington to Hutt Valley walking and cycling link, referencing the creation of Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington Harbour.

The name Te Ara Tupua was gifted to the project by Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika as mana whenua of Wellington and the Hutt Valley. It refers to Ngake and Whataitai, two tupua (supernatural beings) who created Te Whanganui a Tara in Māori mythology.

The tupua lived in a freshwater lake at te Upoko o te Ika (the head of the great fish of Maui) – the bottom of the North Island. They eventually outgrew the lake and planned to escape to the ocean beyond its edges. Their escape created the landforms of the harbour we see today.

Te Ara Tupua traces parts of the paths forged by the tupua as they struggled – the thrash of Ngake’s tail created Te Awakairangi, the Hutt River, while Whataitai’s path to the west created the coastline from Korokoro towards Wellington City.

An artists impression of the Petone to Melling path

Petone to Melling set to begin

Construction will soon begin on the Petone to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua.

This section is 3.5km long, and includes two new rail underpasses and a cycle path between SH2 and the rail line. Work will take place over approximately 18 months, starting next month.

We will send email updates about upcoming construction work and any potential disruption. If you would like to receive these updates, please subscribe to our email list here.

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