15 February 2019

The opening of the latest section of Te Ara Piko pathway brings the project ever closer to a significant milestone of a safe path around the north side of the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

The newest section connects Motukaraka Point to Kakaho Stream boardwalk and is now open for walkers, cyclists and runners.

The joint project between Porirua City and Plimmerton Rotary has the ultimate goal of creating a safe and accessible path right around the spectacular inlet – and there’s just one section left to complete the northern side, says Council landscape architect Andrew Gray.

“All that’s left is a short 800 metre section to connect the Kakaho boardwalk to the existing Camborne Walkway,” he says.

“This will then create a continuous route from Paremata bridge to Pāuatahanui village, which will be fantastic for both locals and visitors.”

The project began in 2005 and has been developed as funds allow. The ever popular first stretch of the pathway – between Motukaraka Point and Pāuatahanui Village – was completed in 2014 and has been a big hit ever since.

Rotary’s Phillip Reidy says the new section lets people stay off the road shoulder on what is quite a narrow and windy stretch of road.

“It also goes through the Kakaho Reserve, so path users can experience the beauty of this important estuary plant community.”

Rotary are now seeking funds for the final section, in a project that has been a great partnership from the start, Mr Gray says.

“This major project couldn’t have happened without Plimmerton Rotary’s continuous support.

“We are also grateful to the main construction contractor Fulton Hogan for implementing a difficult phase of the project to a high standard.”

This stretch of Te Ara Piko was the first where the pathway needed to be built up and extended into the inlet.

The process for doing that was carefully planned with input from ecologists, wildlife experts, archaeologists and included Ngāti Toa, the Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet and the local residents association.

The planning also looked to history and the methods used to build up sections of Porirua Harbour in the late 1800s.

Te Ara Piko is popular for locals and visitors alike, with 110 users a day on average

Mr Reidy said Te Ara Piko had been fortunate to secure funding from gold sponsors Trust House Foundation, Stout Trust, Lotto Community Facilities and Nikau Foundation.

“These funds have been a major contributor to the completion of the pathway this far.”

ends

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