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The popular Te Ara Tahuna walkway alongside the Ōrewa Estuary has reopened after being closed since late March, with local leaders welcoming the end of months of disruption while calling for greater investment to prevent similar issues in the future.
The Te Ara Tahuna walkway is one of the Hibiscus Coast’s most popular recreational routes, winding alongside the Ōrewa Estuary. The shared path provides an accessible link for walkers, runners and cyclists, connecting Ōrewa Beach with surrounding reserves and open spaces.
Jake Law, deputy chair of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, said Watercare confirmed that the works near Maori Hut Road affecting the Te Ara Tahuna walkway are now complete.
“There was quite a significant amount of work that went into this repair, and it lasted a lot longer than any of us expected,” he said.
The walkway was closed in late March after a ruptured wastewater pipe near Māori Hut Road discharged wastewater into the Ōrewa Estuary.
The initial pipe failure occurred on March 26, prompting Watercare to install a temporary overland bypass while a permanent repair was planned. However, the bypass system also failed on April 24, causing a second wastewater overflow into the estuary and prompting Safeswim to issue a black flag warning from April 24 to 26.
Law said the Hibiscus Coast’s ageing and high-risk wastewater network required significant investment and upgrades to reduce overflows and prevent pollution entering the environment.
“Over the next three years, Watercare are installing a rising main upgrade along parts of Whangaparaoa road, impacting much of the peninsula.
“This is needed to increase our wastewater capacity and reduce overflows, but comes with it significant street, reserve, and private property disruption,” he said.
“It is key that Watercare provides the highest level of care and investment while upgrading our local facilities, so that we can avoid situations similar to what’s happened at Te Ara Tahuna in the future.”
