Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays shared path

The method for construction of the new seawalls is outlined in the image below.

Since construction began, we have encountered several obstacles that the team have had to creatively work around. Despite these, the team has pushed through and is now implementing contingency plans to ensure there is no delay in completion of this section.

After initial establishment of the wave barrier, a penguin was discovered in a culvert and so the barrier was divided in two to avoid any potential impacts on the penguin from construction. Excavation then began in both areas but it was discovered that the rock found during pre-construction investigations was of much poorer quality than expected. This, combined with the rough weather damaging the wave barriers, led to the work site moving to higher ground, where it would possible to excavate between the tides and where there was higher quality of rock.

This is the area we worked in throughout December 2022 and we have made good progress here, with a significant section of the area excavated and our first concrete pour completed for the foundations.

During initial excavation our team discovered that certain areas of rock were not of the quality expected and this led to a sediment plume discharging into the bay. In response, the team adjusted the methodology and put sandbags and other measures in place. This is to reduce the possibility of this occurring again due to construction, but it is noted that these types of sediment discharges can also be caused by storm events and other natural occurrences.

The pre-cast seawall sections have arrived and we are planning for the installation of these.
We are also developing a new plan to continue work in the northernmost section of the bay. Further investigations into these areas are ongoing to inform this process.

The construction site will be re-established on Monday 9 January 2023 at the southern end of Mā-koromiko and extending north in the area indicated on the map.

There will be one-lane Stop / Go traffic control in place during work hours and the speed limit through the work area will be 30km/h.There will be a protected section for pedestrians to pass around the site in areas where they cannot be diverted onto the opposite footpath.

The beach and rocks around the construction site will be closed for the duration of the works. The shoulder on the seaward side of the road will also be closed as shown on the map and the parking area and boat ramp at Mā-koromiko will be occupied by construction equipment.

Please factor this into your travel arrangements and we appreciate your ongoing understanding around the traffic control and beach access in the area while construction is taking place.

Illustration of traffic management from 9 January 2023

The temporary roundabout at the southern end of the bay will remain in place.

We have recently concluded the second phase of consultation on the draft design plans for Mahina Bay, York Bay and Whiorau Reserve. These were issued to the Eastbourne Community Board, East Harbour Environmental Association and relevant Resident's Associations for feedback.  

This feedback has been compiled alongside that submitted through the online survey, and responses have been provided by the project team working alongside Hutt City Council. There were some areas of the design that gathered considerable feedback and the team is still investigating the possibility of incorporating these changes.

Details of the comments and responses are available from the summary report in the Project Documents section of this page .

In response to community feedback during the previous phases of consultation, an extra step has been added to the process to further allow for community input into these specific elements of the design. Option sketches will be developed and presented back to the community for further comment and collaboration. This consultation will be undertaken with the Residents Associations, Eastbourne Community Board and East Harbour Environmental Association and there will be a 15 working-day window for further comments on the plans. Following this, they will be updated, finalised, and submitted to the councils for certification in line with the consent conditions.

The Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays shared path will run along Marine Drive in two sections between Ngau Matau (Point Howard), Oruamatoro (Days Bay), and Eastbourne.

In the future, it will also link to other paths and regional routes such as the Remutaka Cycle Trail, and a future network of walking and cycle paths around Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour.

The project aims to:

• Provide a safe and integrated walking and cycling path on Marine Drive to connect communities in the Eastern Bays.
• Create links to other parts of the walking and cycling network for commuting, recreation and tourism.
• Create new seawalls for improved protection from storms and waves. Construction will enhance the environment where possible and provide a base for future resilience upgrades.

Hutt City Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and the Government through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund are helping to fund this project. $30 million in funding has been committed so far.

Hutt City Council is working in partnership with iwi mana whenua – Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. This partnership operates through the Mana Whenua Steering Group.

The project is will be delivered on behalf of Hutt City Council by Te Ara Tupua Alliance.

This is a project delivery team made up of:

• Waka Kotahi
• Downer NZ
• HEB Construction
• Tonkin + Taylor.

Te Ara Tupua Alliance is also delivering the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One (Ngauranga to Petone) shared path.