A major new walking and cycling path connecting Wellington and the Hutt Valley has officially opened, marking a significant milestone for transport, climate resilience and community connectivity in the capital region.
The long-awaited Te Ara Tupua shared pathway links Ngā Ūranga and Pito-One along the Wellington Harbour coastline, providing a safe and separated route for cyclists and pedestrians between Wellington and Lower Hutt.
The project has been years in the making and is being described as one of the country’s largest and most ambitious active transport infrastructure developments.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the opening represents a major investment in both sustainable transport and protecting key transport corridors from extreme weather events.
As well as creating a new 4.5-kilometre coastal pathway, the project includes extensive seawall upgrades and coastal protection work designed to help shield State Highway 2 and the Hutt Valley rail line from storms, erosion and sea-level rise.
Te Ara Tupua was developed in partnership with mana whenua including Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, whose cultural narratives and design concepts are woven throughout the project.
The pathway’s name references ancestral narratives connected to Te Whanganui-a-Tara and includes spaces acknowledging significant Māori sites, histories and tūpuna along the harbour route.
Officials say the project is expected to encourage more people to choose walking and cycling while reducing pressure on roads and lowering transport emissions across the region.
The route also strengthens emergency resilience by providing an alternative access corridor between Wellington and the Hutt Valley should road or rail connections be disrupted during natural disasters or severe weather.
The total cost of the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua is estimated at around $348 million, funded primarily by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi alongside contributions from central and local government.
Cycling advocates and local residents have welcomed the opening, describing the project as transformative for both commuters and recreational users across the Wellington region.
The pathway also forms part of the wider Te Ara Tupua project, which will eventually connect central Wellington to Melling through an integrated network of walking and cycling infrastructure.
