Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays Shared Path

Marine Drive is an important route providing the only road access to the Eastern Bay suburbs. It is also a utility corridor in an ecologically sensitive area along the coast. Lacking a shared use path, cyclists and pedestrians were forced to use a narrow shoulder that in places is crumbling, and in others completely disappears. The Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays shared path presented a daunting project brief, as creating the path could cause a domino-effect of other repairs to the road and sea wall. With more frequent ocean waves topping, and eroding the sea wall, portions of the road could become unusable in as little as five years.

Our tasks consisted of preparing business cases, detailed design, and lodging the resource consent applications. Our multidisciplinary team of engineers (transport, coastal, structural), planners, and landscape architects worked closely with other experts such as ecologists, cultural experts, and recreation specialists. With the statutory consents gained, the project will be delivered on behalf of Hutt City Council by Te Ara Tupua Alliance. The Alliance is also delivering the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One (Ngauranga to Petone) shared path. Together, the paths will improve transport and recreational opportunities along the edge of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour). The path names, Te Ara Tupua and Tupua Horo Nuku, and aspects of their designs, honor the traditional owners iwi mana whenua, who were partners in the planning stages.

While sea level rise due to climate change is global, the effects are local. This project helps mitigate those impacts and makes an impact by providing more opportunities to reduce trips by car.