Auckland Council and central government are making significant investments to reduce flood risks in Māngere. We started work on this project in April 2025 and expect to finish in mid-2026.
Alert - orange warning
Traffic detours on Walmsley Road
From 4 October 2025, there will be traffic detours while Walmsley Road between Hall Avenue and McKenzie Road is closed. Check Traffic management and detours for more information.
Te Kaupapa Mahi mō te Manawaroa i te Waipuke o te Manga o Te Ararata Te Ararata Creek Flood Resilience Project
About the project
This project is part of our Making Space for Water programme. It aims to:
- make the stormwater network more resilient to future storm events
- increase the capacity of the stormwater network
- allow stormwater to flow more freely into the Manukau Harbour.
This will:
- reduce potential flood levels for over 250 properties in the area, including:
- 38 properties that had intolerable risk to life flooding When a flood situation is so dangerous that people’s lives are at serious risk. in 2023
- over 100 properties that experienced floor-level flooding When floodwater is at the same height as the rooms where people live, work or sleep. in 2023
- reduce flood risks caused by blockages for up to 1000 properties
- improve access to Te Ararata Creek to make it quicker and easier to maintain by clearing rubbish and weeds.
Concept design for Walmsley Road Bridge between Hall Avenue and McKenzie Road.
How we will do this
To reduce flooding risks in the area, we will:
- replace and widen the Walmsley Road Bridge between Hall Avenue and McKenzie Road to increase waterflow beneath it
- build a debris trap A debris trap stops large rubbish and natural materials from blocking pipes or waterways which can cause flooding. in the creek near the end of Hinau Road to stop large rubbish blocking the creek
- plant native shrubs and grasses along the edge of the creek to help stabilise the banks
- build a permanent maintenance platform and an accessway to the culverts A stormwater pipe not connected to the main stormwater system. These are normally used under roads or driveways. on Mahunga Drive. This will make it easier for our maintenance teams to keep the culverts clean and free from blockages.
While this project will not completely prevent flooding, investing now will reduce risks by:
- providing more protection against future floods
- better preparing us for heavy rain events.
Map of the project area
Te Ararata Creek Flood Resilience Project area.
How the work will affect you
Temporary closure of Walmsley Road
From Saturday 4 October 2025, Walmsley Road will be closed between Hall Avenue and McKenzie Road for up to six months. This will allow us to replace the Walmsley Road Bridge as soon as possible.
We looked at other ways to finish the works without closing that section of the road, such as:
- closing part of the road for up to two years
- building a temporary bridge for traffic.
However, these options would:
- cost more
- cause more disruption
- risk us losing funding.
Traffic management and detours
There will be traffic detours while Walmsley Road between Hall Avenue and McKenzie Road is closed. You will still be able to walk and cycle over a temporary bridge.
Traffic detours
Vehicles travelling on Walmsley Road to the Southwestern Motorway (SH20) northbound on-ramp will be detoured through Mahunga Drive and Rimu Road.
SH20 off and on-ramps will stay open.
Vehicles travelling on Walmsley Road to and from McKenzie Road, Miller Road and Coronation Road will be able to take a detour through:
- Hall Avenue, Elmdon Street and Bader Drive, or
- Kirkbride Road, Massey Drive and Savill Drive.
Traffic detour map.
Traffic management
We will put temporary traffic controls in place on Hall Avenue, Elmdon Street and Bader Drive to keep traffic moving safely. These include:
- traffic lights
- speed bumps
- roundabouts
- no on-road parking
- reduced speeds.
We will remove the detours and traffic controls when we finish construction.
Affected bus services
We will reroute bus services 309 and 309X.
Visit the Auckland Transport (AT) app to check for:
- bus stop closures
- rerouted bus services
- alternative bus stops.
Walmsley Road and Mahunga Drive work sites
- Construction will usually take place between 7.30am and 6pm every Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays for emergency works only.
- During work hours, noise, dust and vibrations might affect neighbouring properties. We will monitor this to make sure they stay within required limits.
- If we need access to private property, we will contact you beforehand.
Te Ararata Creek Reserve, Black Bridge Reserve and Mahunga Reserve
We will restrict access to sections of these reserves while construction is taking place.
What happens next
- October 2025: Walmsley Road closes
- March 2026: Walmsley Road reopens
- Mid-2026: Construction work ends.
Traffic management translations
More information
Email bluegreen@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information about this project.