About Te Whau Pathway Project
Te Whau Pathway is a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. It will connect Manukau Harbour at Green Bay Beach to the Waitematā Harbour at Te Atatū Peninsula along a traditional Maori taonga waka (portage).
The pathway will follow the edge of the Whau River and link 33 parks, reserves, esplanades, sports parks and roads along the river and Portage Road. It will provide a safe commuter and recreational route for all Aucklanders and visitors, connecting communities in Green Bay, Avondale, New Lynn, Kelston, Glendene and Te Atatū.
The length of the pathway is approximately 15km in total – 11.8km of main path and 3.2km of connecting paths. It includes a mixture of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
The development of the pathway will be a significant link in Auckland’s network of cycling and walking routes and will improve community connection to and appreciation of the Whau River.
Who is involved
The project is a collaborative community-led partnership between:
- the Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust
- Whau and Henderson Massey local boards
- Te Kawerau A Maki and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
- Auckland Transport (AT)
- Auckland Council.
The Trusts Community Foundation has also contributed to the project.
Te Whau Pathway progress
The pathway is being built in stages.
2015-2016
Sections of the path completed at Archibald Park, Ken Maunder Reserve, Olympic Park and McLeod Park.
2018
Roberts Field and Tiroroa Reserve completed.
2020
In December 2020 Auckland Council was granted resource consent to construct and operate Sections Two and Five of the Pathway. The central Government also announced $35 million (through Crown Infrastructure Partners) to fund the design and construction of these two sections, as part of a broader cycleways package.
2021 - current work underway
Just under 700m of pathway at Rizal Reserve and Sandy Lane is scheduled to be completed in 2021.
We are now designing is Section Two, from Olympic Park to Ken Maunder Park, and Section Five, from Laurieston Park to the North West Cycle Connection.
The team are currently testing soil in the two funded sections and work will start between March and May.
We have set up a Community Liaison Group to help deliver community and environment outcomes.
This group will meet throughout the design phase and give their feedback. Public workshops are also planned during the design phase.
Next steps for the Te Whau Pathway project
We plan to ask the wider community for their feedback on aspects of the design mid-2021.
Some construction may start late 2021 and will continue through to 2023. We will update the community on confirmed dates and let you know the next steps.
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