The opening of the latest section of Te Ara Piko, from Motukaraka Point to Kakaho Stream boardwalk.
The opening of the latest section of Te Ara Piko pathway
brings the project ever closer to a significant milestone of a safe path around
the north side of the Pāuatahanui Inlet.
The newest section connects Motukaraka Point to Kakaho
Stream boardwalk and is now open for walkers, cyclists and runners.
The joint project between Porirua City and Plimmerton Rotary
has the ultimate goal of creating a safe and accessible path right around the
spectacular inlet – and there’s just one section left to complete the northern
side, says Council landscape architect Andrew Gray.
“All that’s left is a short 800 metre section to connect the
Kakaho boardwalk to the existing Camborne Walkway,” he says.
“This will then create a continuous route from Paremata
bridge to Pāuatahanui village, which will be fantastic for both locals and
visitors.”
The project began in 2005 and has been developed as funds
allow. The ever popular first stretch of the pathway – between Motukaraka Point
and Pāuatahanui Village – was completed in 2014 and has been a big hit ever
since.
Rotary’s Phillip Reidy says the new section lets people stay
off the road shoulder on what is quite a narrow and windy stretch of road.
“It also goes through the Kakaho Reserve, so path users can
experience the beauty of this important estuary plant community.”
Rotary are now seeking funds for the final section, in a
project that has been a great partnership from the start, Mr Gray says.
“This major project couldn’t have happened without
Plimmerton Rotary’s continuous support.
“We are also grateful to the main construction contractor
Fulton Hogan for implementing a difficult phase of the project to a high
standard.”
This stretch of Te Ara Piko was the first where the pathway
needed to be built up and extended into the inlet.
The process for doing that was carefully planned with input
from ecologists, wildlife experts, archaeologists and included Ngāti Toa, the
Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet
and the local residents association.
The planning also looked to history and the methods used to
build up sections of Porirua Harbour in the late 1800s.
Te Ara Piko is popular for locals and visitors alike, with
110 users a day on average
Mr Reidy said Te Ara Piko had been fortunate to secure
funding from gold sponsors Trust House Foundation, Stout Trust, Lotto Community
Facilities and Nikau Foundation.
“These funds have been a major contributor to the completion
of the pathway this far.”
14 Feb 2019
