Te Ara Tupua

Project update

19 March 2026

We're getting close to completing Te Ara Tupua. Be the first to find out when you'll be able to walk and ride the path by following NZ Transport Agency on Facebook and subscribing to our project updates.

In the meantime, see what we’ve been up to and what’s coming up in the update below.

Coastal improvements

This project has strengthened the resilience of State Highway 2 and the rail line through extensive coastal reclamation and upgraded seawalls — with the new 4.5km-long, 5m-wide walking and cycling connection built on top.

The area shown above is part of the path where all major construction is now complete (excluding pavement/fencing works). This includes around 0.8 hectares of newly reclaimed land, supported by a combination of seawalls and coastal defences designed to protect this vital transport corridor.

Key components include:

• 2.7km of sloping coastal defences (revetments), averaging 16 metres wide and incorporating interlocking XBloc® units to strengthen and stabilise the shoreline.
• Six sections of vertical seawalls, totalling approximately 600 metres, used in locations where this approach best fits the local environment and avoids high value habitat.

Together, these structures both enable the shared path and significantly bolster the resilience of the road and rail corridor — helping protect this important route from storms, coastal erosion, and other natural hazards.

We recently shared a short project update on Facebook. The video features Brandon, one of our Discipline Managers, who highlights some interesting facts about these coastal improvements.

Works update

We’re pleased to share that construction on the new path continues to move ahead at pace.

Asphalt and line marking near completion
Almost all of the asphalt along the main alignment has now been laid. There are a couple of small sections along the path and where the path joins existing paths at each end still to go. This should be completed in coming weeks but is weather dependent.

Recent fine weather has been a big help, allowing our team to get underway with line marking as well.

Ūranga/rest areas taking shape
Landscaping across the six ūranga/rest areas is well underway.

These spaces include new seating, pathways, and planting, and our team has been working hard to complete them. So far we've completed the path in one area and we're busy with the others.

We look forward to you enjoying these areas once the path opens.

Northern end: Honiana Te Puni Reserve
At the northern end of the project, work is progressing quickly.
You may have spotted a new structure (designed by iwi designer Len Hetet) near the Petone interchange (pictured above). This, along with further work happening to the east of the reserve, forms part of our wider landscaping and finishing activity in the area.

We're now also working on the connection to the shared path under the Petone interchange/alongside the Hutt Road.

Southern end: shared user bridge
Work is also advancing at the southern end of the project, particularly on the shared user bridge.

In recent weeks, our team have been installing the balusters. As shown in the photo below, there is still work to complete around the bridge — including connecting it to the path and installing utilities and lighting. This will continue over the coming weeks.
 

Scroll down for the latest progress photos.

From left: Kris Fumberger, ISC Executive Director of product solutions; Duncan Kenderdine, Alliance Director; Manea Sweeney, Alliance Board Chair; Ed Breese, Partnerships, Environment, Planning and Communications Manager; Rebeka Pokura-Ward, NZTA Sustainability Specialist

ISC Awards

Te Ara Tupua Alliance has been awarded with excellence at this year’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council connect conference in Wellington.

The IS Rating Scheme is the framework used across New Zealand and Australia to evaluate sustainability throughout a project’s lifecycle.

From design to construction and operation, the scheme pushes teams to think bigger—beyond standard practice, beyond minimum requirements. It measures performance across governance, economic outcomes, environmental impacts, cultural and social benefits, and innovation.

The Excellence rating is more than a certificate; it marks the end of three years of hard work and recognises the Alliance’s commitment to weaving in community, environmental and sustainability outcomes across the design phase.

While the Design Rating marks a major milestone, the Alliance knows the journey isn’t over. The real test lies ahead with carrying this level of excellence into the completion of the construction phase.

The challenge now is achieving an excellence rating when the as-built assessment comes.

As part of the conference, the Alliance also invited around 60 conference delegates who were eager to see for themselves the project.

Delegates were impressed with what had been delivered as part of the project — a 4.5km shared path built on top a foundation of extensive resilience works and coastal improvements. The classic "can't beat Wellington on a good day" kind of day also helped.

This rating is an achievement for everyone who has been involved in shaping Te Ara Tupua, and a reminder of what’s possible when sustainability is given suitable focus. Well done team.

People of the project

We are excited to celebrate a huge milestone for iwi mana whenua reef researcher Shaun. Please join us in congratulating Shaun for successfully obtaining his Certificate of Competence for Commercial Diving.

Shaun’s path to certification hasn’t been easy. From administrative delays to a sudden change in course availability at the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS), this career pathway was not a direct route. However, Shaun adapted, pivoted, and was able to secure a spot in the Commercial Diver course at Lake Puketirini Huntly with Aotearoa's most experienced commercial diver training team, OMNE Marine.

After three months of hard mahi, Shaun emerged with his certificate, a vital qualification for his research of the enhanced Reef at Te Ara Tupua.

Shaun is also in his final year at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, where he is completing his Bachelor of Environmental Management. This dual achievement will combine high-level commercial diving skills with academic expertise in environmental management; Shaun is directly contributing to our Iwi strategic goal “to restore and enhance our natural resources and environmental well-being” by building iwi marine research capabilities.

Ka mau te wehi Shaun! Your dedication to the moana and your studies is an inspiration. We can’t wait to see the impact you continue to make beneath the surface and beyond.