Coastal Walkway extension project takes next big step

Construction of the next stage of NPDC’s coastal pathway extension Te Pae o te Rangi between Waitara and Bell Block starts this week.

The work is on a section starting from the recently redeveloped Otupaiia Marine Park in Waitara and involves creating a shared pathway travelling in front of Battiscombe Terrace and Hume Street, then along Brown Road up to the Tate Road intersection.

“We finished the first part of stage one in Otupaiia last year, and this second part will bring the off-road connection closer to New Plymouth Airport,” says NPDC Manager Project Management Office Raymond Teunissen.

“This section has some lovely features, including rest spots and a deck area with a great view out to sea, and some alternative ‘slow’ paths that connect with nature.”

Says Otaraua Hapū spokesman Rawiri Doorbar: “Otaraua acknowledge the strong contributions of the community, while recognising our focus remains with the whenua and the collective of hapū involved. Kotahitanga, commitment and collective effort are evident in the work being carried out. Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata.”

Detailed design-work for stage two (Brown/Tate intersection to New Plymouth Airport) is finished with construction expected to start mid-2026. Detailed design-work for stage three (New Plymouth Airport to Tiromana Crescent) is about to start.

The 9.7km extension of the walkway between Waitara and Bell Block is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027, creating a great experience for walkers, runners and bike-riders as they take in rich historical, natural and culturally important sites.

This construction project has been gifted the name Te Pae o te Rangi – The Ledge of the Heavens. It refers to the pathway connecting our land to the water and providing a space for people to rejoin our environment.

The pathway is co-designed by NPDC and Manukorihi, Otaraua, Pukerangiora and Puketapu hapū , with the support of Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust.

Fast facts:

• The Coastal Walkway is currently 13.2km long; the project will extend this distance to almost 23km.
• Planning for the Coastal Walkway began in 1997. Construction of the first 7km (New Plymouth CBD to Waiwhakaiho River) began in October 1999 and was completed in December 2001, with Ellesmere Avenue to Bell Block Beach section completed in 2014.
• The Coastal Walkway has won several awards including the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Gold Award (2002), the New Zealand Institute of Builders Supreme Award (2006), the Arthur G. Hayden Medal from the International Bridge Conference for Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (2011) and the New Zealand Recreation Association’s Outstanding Project Award (2011).
• NPDC looks after 82km of walkways throughout the district and 68ha of coastal dunes.

Caption: Stage 1b of the extension includes rest stops among its features.