Streetworks Start In Preparation For Te Ngākau Civic Precinct Reopening
Te Ngākau, translated in te reo Māori as 'The Heart', is home to the capital's most important arts, cultural and performance venues. It also connects the central city and the waterfront, acting as a gateway to the harbour.
The scheduled streetworks are a coordinated approach of projects, maintenance and improvements to infrastructure by Wellington City Council, Wellington Water, and utility companies.
The combination of these different projects is likely to cause some disruption for Wellington residents, businesses and visitors during this period, but a coordinated approach will minimise the impact.
7 July - end of 2025 - Wellington Water - Wakefield Street rising main project
The section of Wakefield Street from Taranaki Street to Cuba Street will be one lane only (the westbound lane will remain open). Access for residents and businesses will remain.
14 July - 21 July 2025 - Wellington Water - Victoria Street rising main project
The intersection of Mercer St, Victoria St and Wakefield St will be closed to traffic. Pedestrian access will remain. There will be controlled vehicle access to garages on Victoria Street. Victoria Street traffic will be diverted down Harris Street to Jervois Quay.
Late July (Date TBC) - r emoval of Amora overbridge, Wakefield Street
To safely remove this bridge, the section of road underneath needs to be closed in both directions for 48 hours. This work is expected to take place on a weekend near the end of July, date will be confirmed soon.
August 2025 – January 2026 - Wellington Water - Market Lane pump station renewal Project
Market Lane will be closed to traffic at the Taranaki Street end and there will be a two-way entrance at the Cable Street end. Parallel parks along the southern side of Market Lane will be removed during this time. Pedestrian access will be unaffected.
Start of August - end of November 2025 - Wellington Water - Willeston Street pump station renewal and Victoria Street rising main project
The eastern lane of Victoria Street between Willeston Street and Harris Street will close to vehicles. The intersection of Willeston Street and Victoria Street will also be closed to vehicles, although the Victoria Street Wilson Parking Building will remain open. Pedestrian access will remain throughout.
Oct 2025 - Feb 2026 - Harris Street upgrade
Harris Street kerb and channel upgrade, along with landscaping and resurfacing. One-way eastbound vehicle access will remain during this time, and access to the Central Police Station will remain.
More information, downloadable maps and updates available at wellington.govt.nz/te-ngakau-streetworks
About Te Ngākau Civic Precinct
Te Ngākau Civic Precinct includes Te Whare Whakarauika Town Hall, Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library, the site of the old Civic Administration Building (CAB) and Municipal Office Building (MOB), City Gallery, City to Sea Bridge, Michael Fowler Centre, former Capital E building, Civic Basement, Creche, Jack Ilott Green, and 110 Jervois Quay.
Te Ngākau is a place that Wellingtonians love, but it has been in a state of transition for a long time. The precinct was significantly impacted during the 2013 and 2016 earthquakes, resulting in seismic resilience issues for many of the buildings and structures. Some have been strengthened and redeveloped, some have been demolished to make way for new things, and the future of some is still to be decided. The area also faces challenges around resilience to future flooding events, which may become more frequent over time due to climate change and sea level rise.
Te Matapihi Central Library – practical completion Aug 2025, landscaping complete Oct 2025, opening March 2026
Te Whare Whakarauika Town Hall – project completion – July 2026 - reopening early 2027 TBD
City Gallery – project completion March 2026 - reopening August 2026 TBD
City to Sea Bridge – TBD pending judicial review outcome
Wellington Town Hall Annex development – September 2025 – July 2026
CAB site activation – July 2026 – Early 2027
Harris Street upgrade – construction from Oct 2025 to March 2026
Wakefield Street upgrade – construction April 2026 – October 2026 TBD
Civic basement strengthening and plaza landscaping – complete and open by March 2026.
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