Tahitai—one tide, one journey

Tahitai—one tide, one journey—is the name gifted by Taranaki Whānui for the 7km spectacular harbour-side route connecting Wellington’s central city to Motu Kairangi / Miramar Peninsula and the Eastern Suburbs. This new path celebrates the taonga of Akau Tangi and The Whanganui a Tara, and forms part of Te Aranui o Pōneke / the Great Harbour Way—a vision to link the entirety of the Wellington Harbour coastline with high quality walking and cycling paths. Competition for space required a pragmatic and place-based approach to balance making the journey safer and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities with private cars, freight, and public transport. Modular precast retaining wall blocks draw on the forms of the natural rock formations of Ōmarukaikuru, and provide vertical separation between the paths and lookout areas—their careful choreography creates a dramatic pattern. Hardy planting accents the experience—separating walking and cycling pathways and adding variance that that highlights the unique reclaimed coastal environment and the dynamic habitat it provides.

In addition to delivering transformational transport infrastructure Tahitai enhances the quality and resilience of Wellington’s waterfront environments and provides a series of new destinations that express the natural history and cultural significance of the area. Seating platforms encourage access to the water, in a way that is sympathetic way to the existing rock-forms and sized to be penguin-proof. The new rock revetment along Cobham Drive incorporates cavities for kōrua to call home and kete inspired ecological tiles—space for kai moana to flourish.