New bridge, walkway protecting historic Hauranga Pā in Taranaki opens
The project, led by New Plymouth District Council in collaboration with mana whenua and the Kaitake Community Board, focused on a walkway given the name Te Ara Tahuri Hau (pathway of wind changes), which was supported by a rock revetment protecting the wāhi tapu site and allowing access around the headland at high tide.
It also included a replacement for the footbridge over the Whenu Ariki Stream destroyed during ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi in 2022.
Ngāti Tairi and Ngā Mahanga hapū raised concern that people crossing the pā were damaging it, a claim supported by two archaeologists' reports.
As a result, informal walking and cycle trails had developed, damaging the pā, a heavily populated site in pre-European times, and exposing archaeological features.
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The New Plymouth District Council — which managed the Weld Road Coastal Reserve — approved a $570,000 bridge, rockwall and walkway traversing the headland in 2021 and Taranaki Regional Council consents were granted last year.
The completed project cost about $2 million, with about $440,000 of funding from the NZ Transport Agency.
New Plymouth District Council project delivery manager Sean Cressy said it was great to get the project over the line.
"A lot of time and effort has gone into protecting the sensitive heritage and ecology of the site, and we've had widespread community and hapū support for the new bridge and walkway, which showcases our historic and scenic coastline for locals and visitors.
"The New Plymouth District Council is committed to protecting the historic Hauranga Pā, so we designed the bridge and pathway together as a great route for walkers and cyclists to enjoy the coast while still respecting the archaeological and wāhi tapu site.
"The sensitive coastal environment required extensive technical input into the project."
Ngāti Tairi representative Keith Manukonga said Hauranga Pā was one of the largest pā in the Tataraimaka district and held deep cultural and historical significance to mana whenua.
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"Te Ara Tahuri Hau will help people to respect this site and its significance. It's a very nice walkway and we trust people will use it and enjoy it."
Cressy said the construction window was tight to work around the penguins and other wildlife during nesting seasons.
Ramps and handrails on the new bridge were built with help from seven Taranaki students in the Build a Bridge training programme, a partnership of New Plymouth District Council, WITT Te Pūkenga and the building industry to give teenagers valuable job skills.
Cressy said in recent years, it has been a popular link for walkers and cyclists between the Timaru and Whenu Ariki streams, and this was regarded as a risk to the site's archaeological features.
On the new shared pathway, cyclists must walk their bikes around for the safety of other users.
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