Tupua Horo Nuku

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Tupua Horo Nuku is our 4.4-kilometre seawall and shared path along Marine Drive between Ngau Matau/Point Howard and Mā- koromiko / Windy Point..

The new seawall improves the resilience of Marine Drive by providing protection against storms and waves, along with coastal erosion.

The shared path:

  • provides a safer route for those walking and cycling in the area,
  • encourages active modes of transport. helping reduce congestion and improve health and well-being,
  • better connects local communities between the bays,
  • joining up with other trails in the Lower Hutt walking and cycling network.
A map of the Tupua Horo Nuku shared path

Background

The name Tupua Horo Nuku evokes the narrative of the Tupua (spiritual phenomena) called Ngake, one of the two creators of Wellington Harbour in traditional Māori narrative. The name was gifted to the project by Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui, as part of the partnership between iwi and Hutt City Council.

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

The project was delivered on behalf of Hutt City Council by Te Ara Tupua Alliance, a project delivery team made up of:

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

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

Video description: A birds-eye-view of the project, December 2025.

Timeline

16 May 2026 Tupua Horo Nuku Community Celebration!
April 2026Construction completed in Whiorau/Lowry Bay.
December 2025Construction completed in Sorrento Bay.
November 2025Construction completed in Ngau Matau Point Howard.
September 2025Bird Protection Area completed in Sorrento Bay.
March 2025 Construction begins in Ngau Matau/Point Howard and Māhina Bay.
February 2025 Tupua Horo Nuku 'Halfway There' community event.
January 2025 Construction begins in Sorrento Bay.
December 2024Construction completed in Sunshine Bay and York Bay.
June 2024Construction begins in Whiorau/Lowry Bay and on the Whiorau Bird Protection Area.
May 2024Design plans for Whiorau/Lowry Bay certified.
April 2024 Construction completed in Mā-koromiko.
January 2024 Construction begins in York Bay.
November 2023 The first section of the shared path is opened at Mā-koromiko.
October 2023 York Bay design plans certified.
August 2022 Te Huringa-Nuku ceremony marks construction start for Tupua Horo Nuku.
February 2022 The name Tupua Horo Nuku is gifted to the pathway by Mana Whenua.
November 2021 Alliance delivery model chosen, with Te Ara Tupua Alliance confirmed to deliver southern portion (Mā-koromiko and Sunshine Bay).

Landscape and Urban Design Plan consultation with residents associations and community groups.
October 2021 Community open day on project next steps.
June 2021 Resource consent appeal resolve (resource consent confirmed).
March 2021 Resource consent initially approved (subsequently appealed).
April 2019 Resource consent application lodged with Greater Wellington Regional Council.
2018 Design development for resource consent begins.
2015 Start of community engagement.
2014 Eastbourne community survey showed that the shared path and climate change were the top concerns facing the Eastbourne community.

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Contact us if you have any questions for the project team.