Tupua Horo Nuku

About Tupua Horo Nuku

Tupua Horo Nuku is a 4.4-kilometre seawall and shared path along Marine Drive between Ngau Matau/Point Howard and Eastbourne. The new seawall will improve 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 which will help reduce congestion and improve health and well-being, better connects local communities between the bays, as well as joining up with other trails in the Hutt City walking and cycling network.

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 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.

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Timeline

Right now	Construction is progressing well in Whiorau/Lowry 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 2024	Construction completed in Sunshine Bay and York Bay.
June 2024	Construction begins in Whiorau/Lowry Bay and on the Whiorau Bird Protection Area.
May 2024	Design 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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