Tupua Horo Nuku blessed but tomorrow’s community celebration cancelled

But sadly, the bad weather has forced the cancellation of tomorrow’s Tupua Horo Nuku community event as clean-up across the city is prioritised. Council will look at other options to celebrate with the community.

Tupua Horo Nuku is a 4.4km shared path and seawall along Marine Drive, connecting Ngau Matau/Point Howard and Eastbourne. It strengthens a vital coastal route while creating a safer space for pedestrians and cyclists.

The name Tupua Horo Nuku connects to the wider narrative of Te Ara Tupua, honouring the ancient creators and guardians of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour), Ngake and Whātaitai.

The blessing was led by esteemed Te Āti Awa rangatira Kura Moeahu with iwi rōpū Puharikiriki. He says Tupua Horo Nuku was an opportunity to share the purakau (traditional Māori narrative) and educate the community.

”It’s now about the people of Eastbourne owning this side of the harbour. It belongs to them and they should be the ones talking about Eastbourne and the stories it holds.”

Heavy rain forced the formalities indoors to the Pelorus Trust Sports House where waiata from Muritai School students enthralled the 200-strong audience.

Muritai School students also spoke of their involvement in the project including a lovely presentation from year-8 pupil and head girl Tessa Hayward. She was inspired by the school’s involvement.

“The whole school has enjoyed real life learning outside the classroom… and muritai akonga [learners] have all learnt a lot about our local environment through purakau and then writing their own stories to put in the school book.”

Muritai Principal Stu Davenport says Tupua Horo Nuku was a learning experience embraced by students.

“It was something that was happening around them. They could see the progress every day. It was happening in real-time for them.”

Mayor Ken Laban heaped praise on all those involved in the project.

“I am proud of Council, and all our partners, in the work they’ve done to complete this project for the community. And a big thank you to all the locals who have helped and embraced Tupua Horo Nuku over the years.

“We all know there is only one way in and one way out of Eastbourne. The new seawall adds much needed resilience to that route while also providing a safe place for pedestrians and cyclists to travel, separated from traffic.

Former Eastbourne Community Board Chair Ginny Horrocks says community action for safe walking and cycling in the eastern bays went back about 30 years.

“The community was key in getting Tupua Horo Nuku over the line and everyone involved deserves a well-earned pat on the back for the work they did championing the project over many years. Our community is now a more resilient and safer place thanks, in part, to them."

Delivery of the project was led by Te Ara Tupua Alliance (NZTA, Downer NZ, HEB Construction, and Tonkin + Taylor) in partnership with iwi (Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) through a Mana Whenua Steering Group.

The total cost was $81.87 million, managed by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited and funded by the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group Fund ($30 million), NZTA ($25.47 million), and Hutt City Council ($26.4 million).

//ENDS

Notes to editor:

• Consent approvals were granted between 2019–2021. Construction began in August 2022.
• Cultural expressions on the shared path were designed by Len Hetet (Te Āti Awa).

Construction was delivered in stages across the Eastern Bays:

• Mā-koromiko (first section opened November 2023; full completion April 2024)
• Sunshine Bay and York Bay (completed December 2024)
• Sorrento Bay (bird protection area completed September 2025; full construction completed December 2025)
• Ngau Matau / Point Howard (completed November 2025)
• Whiorau Lowry Bay (completed April 2026)

Enhanced coastal ecosystems include:

• Four formally established Bird Protection Areas to safeguard nesting Kororā and Tōrea Pango.
• Installation of more than 300 penguin nesting boxes to support long-term wildlife recovery.
• Creation of new intertidal habitats through textured seawall surfaces and purpose-built tidal pools.
• Improved fish passage and drainage connectivity through redesigned culverts and flexi-baffles.
• Targeted protection of the only known seagrass meadow remaining in Wellington Harbour at Whiorau/Lowry Bay.
• Ngārara (lizards) – which are protected under the Wildlife Act – were trapped and relocated. This northern grass skinks, raukawa geckos, copper and kokowai skinks.