Te Ara Tupua is the project that will improve transport resilience and create a walking and cycling link between Wellington and Lower Hutt. t will deliver a safe route which will seamlessly connect more people to transport options in both Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is partnering with iwi mana whenua (Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa) and local Councils (Wellington City, Greater Wellington and Hutt City) to provide a new walking and cycling route between Wellington and Lower Hutt. Te Ara Tupua that will improve transport resilience while creating a walking and cycling link between Wellington and Lower Hutt.
NZTA is leading delivery of two sections:
And working with partners on key connecting projects:
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Waka Kotahi is partnering with iwi mana whenua to deliver Te Ara Tupua. A Mana Whenua Steering Group was formed with representatives from Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira working alongside Waka Kotahi to make key decisions together as partners on the project.
CloseTe 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 a future route around Te Whanganui a Tara, 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.
CloseWe 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 NZTA works as one team with our design and construction partners.
Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section
Te Ara Tupua Alliance is made up of NZTA working with Tonkin + Taylor, Downer NZ and HEB Construction.
The Alliance team is also delivering Tupua Horo Nuku on behalf of Hutt City Council. Tupua Horo Nuku is another complex coastal project making it a good fit for delivery by the same team.
Hutt City Council Tupua Horo Nuku(external link)
The Pito-One to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua was delivered on behalf of NZTA by contractors Fulton Hogan.
CloseThe Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section will be constructed between 2022 and 2026.
Construction of the Pito-One to Melling section began in 2019. It was completed on 16 October 2023.
CloseNgā Ūranga ki Pito-One section: up to $348.7 million (including contingency).
Pito-One to Melling section: up to $63.1 million.
CloseTe Ara Tupua Team, PO Box 5084, Thorndon, Wellington 6145
