Te Ara ki Uta Ki Tai (Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path)

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson joined us at the Hobson Bay boardwalk site to see our progress and hear the latest update from the project team. She had a sneak peek at the lookout point midway along the boardwalk.

Once complete, the lookout will offer a place for people to pause, sit and enjoy the views. They will be able to see across Hobson Bay to the city and harbour, Maungawhau and Ōhinerau.

There’s still work to be done. We need to build around 285 more metres of boardwalk before we install balustrades, lighting and CCTV. We will also build connections to Ngāpipi Road, via Onepū Whakatakataka Reserve and Ōrākei Road. Lastly, we need to do landscaping and install mahi toi cultural artwork.

This final section of Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai will complete a 7km shared path from Merton Road (near Glen Innes Station) to Tāmaki Drive. We expect to open it later this year.

To watch a video about our progress on the Hobson Bay boardwalk site, go to our Facebook page (opens in a new tab).

Our investigation phase has wrapped up and boardwalk users will have noticed we’ve removed equipment from the boardwalk. This phase of work, with a contractor and marine specialists, has helped us validate the design and better understand costs.

We considered various solutions focussing on long-term durability and value for money. The solutions also needed to minimise environmental impact, construction duration and potential disruption for locals and people using the path.

We also:

• did geotechnical (ground engineering) surveys of the basin – which have helped us better understand water and mud depths and other site conditions
• tested new piles to confirm the size needed to meet engineering requirements and to optimise construction methodology
• tested the existing structure to understand its load limits so we can plan the work safely
• did design work for a temporary bypass route so people can still move through the basin during construction.

The team had to work through several site challenges to make sure a final approach is safe and lasting.

Basin water levels are shallow. This limits construction methodologies and options that use larger construction equipment to reach the work area, including via barge.

The deep mud makes it harder to achieve the foundational strength and stability needed for newer, more robust piles.

We have tested increasingly larger pile sizes to confirm a final design. The design needs to meet the necessary engineering standards and work with the limitations around getting large construction equipment to the site.

We’ve also tested what type of machinery can work directly from the boardwalk using strengthening and load-spreading measures.

What’s next

We will:

• confirm costs
• finalise the design and construction plan
• get project approval, including funding
• get ready for construction.

We’re heading towards starting construction in late 2026.

Work could take around 9 to 15 months, depending on the final design and construction plan. Throughout construction, we’ll maintain a route around the work area so people can keep using the boardwalk.

A huge thanks from us for everyone’s patience during the recent work and while part of the boardwalk remains closed temporarily.

Section 1 - Merton Road to St Johns Road

Completed.

Section 2 - St Johns Road to Ōrākei Basin

Completed.

A series of mahi toi (artworks) were unveiled in May 2024 along Section 2 of the path between Kohimarama Road and Ōrākei Basin. This includes 2 sets of pou (cultural markers) at the end of each path acting as waharoa (entranceways), and carved handrails at both ends of the 2 bridges.

All artworks relate to the central design theme ‘Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai’ (from the land to the sea). The 4.5m tall green and red waka pou at Ōrākei Basin are named Ki Uta and Ki Tai respectively. They mark the point between sections 2 and 3.

The pou at Kohimarama Road represent the inhabitants of the Pourewa Valley below, specifically the piwakawaka (fantail) and tuna (eel). Designs along the carved handrails show the connectivity of the path sections and te maunga (the mountain) and nga wai (the waters).

Section 3 - Ōrākei Basin boardwalk

The design was carefully developed, responding to our Mana Whenua project partner, stakeholder and community feedback.

The design:

• features concrete piles and deck, with a 1.2m steel balustrade
• ensures recreational water access is retained at the reserve
• complements the natural environment
• incorporates unobtrusive lighting (while still illuminating the path safely)
• provides views from the path to the surrounding area and natural environment
• has safe surfaces that minimise the risk of slipping
• has curves that are smooth for cyclists
• includes a rest area.

Boardwalk lighting and materials

The bridge and boardwalk will comprise a concrete deck and timber and steel balustrades with LED downlighting in the handrail.

To determine the alignment of the boardwalk in Hobson Bay, we have considered user comfort, the potential impact on neighbours, marine traffic, water access and use, environmental impact and sea-level rise.

Subtle materials, finishes and design details have been selected to naturally complement the coastal landscape and its curved form.

The main impacts of construction will be from:

• temporary traffic management beside Purewa Bridge on Ōrākei Road
• construction vehicle movements to and from our worksites on Ōrākei Road and Ngapipi Road. 

Our work is carefully planned to minimise disruption on these busy commuter routes. Our temporary traffic management will include:

• stop and go or traffic lights when large machinery or plant is entering or exiting the worksites
• lane reduction and shoulder closures when working next to Purewa Bridge, maintaining two-way traffic flow
• a lower posted speed limit past work areas for everyone’s safety.

Disruption

There may be some noise or vibration felt from construction. We will have control measures on-site and will monitor this closely.

Our site compound in Ōrākei Train Station car park will impact the number of available car parks, but train services will run as normal.

Integral to the project at every stage is care to reduce the impact of construction and design the path in a way to complement the environment.

On Section 4, careful design has reduced the number and size of piles needed for the bridge and boardwalk, and a textured finish on the piles will encourage marine growth and a darkening appearance over time. This means the boardwalk will blend with the local environment and treads lightly. Where planting is removed because of construction, it will be replaced with natives to enhance the quality and diversity of habitat and support native wildlife.

As part of enabling works in September 2024 we have removed privet from near Purewa Bridge and she-oaks from Onepu Whakatakataka Reserve (Ngapipi Road), which we will replace with representative native species. The shared path alignment through Onepu Whakatakataka Reserve and planting will complement Ōrākei Local Board future aspirations to restore the reserve.

With many more people travelling through the area, the interim facility on Ngapipi Road is much needed until the boardwalk in Hobson Bay is constructed, creating an alternative route.

The 4.5m wide boardwalk will have smooth surfacing and low gradients making it a faster, more comfortable, and accessible route to take to and from Tāmaki Drive.

Ngapipi Road is a challenging location due to its topography, high traffic volumes, importance as a freight and bus route and lack of available space for new facilities. Space allows for a one-way cycle facility only, and the footpath has been widened as much as possible within the available space and other constraints.

If travelling north (toward Tāmaki Drive) people on a scooter or bike can use the uni-directional cycleway. If heading south, travelling on the outside edge of the shared path (further from vehicles exits) is encouraged.

Please travel safely at appropriate speeds for a shared space while using the route, be prepared to stop at driveways and bus stops and if walking, keep dogs on a short lead.