Te Ara Tupua is the project to create a walking and cycling link between Wellington and Lower Hutt. It will deliver a safe, connected and attractive route, enabling more people to walk or bike, and connect with local paths in both Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is partnering with iwi mana whenua (Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa), Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council to create Te Ara Tupua – a safe and efficient walking and cycling route between Wellington and Lower Hutt.
The name Te Ara Tupua was gifted to the project by Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui.
Te Ara Tupua will provide a high-quality shared path, suitable for a wide range of users, enabling a step change in the number of people choosing to walk or ride between the two cities.
More people riding and walking will help reduce carbon emissions, improving health, and will ease the pressure on other transport options.
It will contribute to regional walks and rides like Te Aranui o Poneke – the Great Harbour Way and the Remutaka Cycle Trail, supporting local and national tourism and recreational opportunities.
The new path will also increase resilience – better protecting the rail line from storm and sea surges, and future proofing for sea level rise between Ngā Ūranga and Pito-one.
We have established Te Ara Tupua Alliance to deliver the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua. An Alliance is a collaborative form of construction contract where Waka Kotahi works as one team with our design and construction partners.
Te Ara Tupua Alliance is made up of Waka Kotahi working with Tonkin + Taylor, Downer NZ and HEB Construction.
The Alliance team is also delivering Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays Shared Path, under a partnership between Waka Kotahi and Hutt City Council. Tupua Horo Nuku is another complex coastal walking and cycling path, making it a good fit for delivery by the same team.
Hutt City Council Tupua Horo Nuku
The Pito-One to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua is being delivered on behalf of Waka Kotahi by contractors Fulton Hogan.
The Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section will be constructed between 2022 and 2026.
Construction of the Pito-One to Melling section began in 2019 and is expected to be complete in early 2023.
Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section: up to $311.9 million (including contingency).
Pito-One to Melling section: up to $63.1 million.
Te Ara Tupua Team, PO Box 5084, Thorndon, Wellington 6145
