This section of the coastal walking and biking route along Evans Bay Parade is between Greta Point and Cobham Drive.
Initial construction work started in mid-2024. We have upgraded 35m of retaining wall adjoining the footpath at Evans Bay Yacht Club and plan to strengthen and upgrade 113m of seawall at and adjacent to Hataitai beach. Work on on the seawall to the south of the Hataitai beach changing rooms is expected to start in early 2025. These improvements continue the investment we've already made on seawalls and coastal protection along Evans Bay Parade and Cobham Drive to improve resilience.
While we work on the two walls, people will still be able to walk, run, bike, scoot and drive through this area. Traffic lanes will operate in both directions, with a 30km/h speed limit. Some parking will be removed temporarily.
The low seawall at the rear of Hataitai beach will be replaced with a stronger and slightly higher wall. The work on the beach will be done in stages, likely starting in autumn and continuing through winter. The changing rooms and toilets will be open as usual, and it will always be possible to use part of the beach and swim here.
Further work on this section of the route is dependent on funding.
Mana whenua Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika have gifted the name Te Haerenga Roa o Te Aro (long promenade or journey) for this section to acknowledge the journeys of the peoples of Te Aro from their arrival in Aotearoa, their journey to Taranaki, and then from Taranaki to Wellington to this point.
The new walking and biking paths will complete Tahitai, the coastal connection between Miramar, Kilbirnie, and the central city.