Penguin habitats monitored during construction of Wellington's Evans Bay walking and biking path

Wellington City Council advises that work will commence after Easter to complete the 780-meter section of new walking and biking paths on Evans Bay Parade between Weka Bay and Little Karaka Bay with penguin and lizard habitats to be monitored throughout construction.

From 11th April, Wellington City Council contractor Downer will set up on site at Weka Bay. They will be working on the seaward side where the previously completed new paths currently end, and work back towards the city as far as Little Karaka Bay.

Downer will be working in the Weka Bay area for about five months. Work may stop or be reduced for a month while the city hosts the FIFA Women’s World Cup (mid-July to mid-August).

The work to complete this connection, which includes seawalls, will be done in four sections over about 18 months. As well as building the new walking and biking paths, work will include:

• strengthen and build sections of seawall up to footpath level at Little Karaka Bay and Balaena Bay

• put in a new pedestrian crossing at Balaena Bay and a safer crossing point at Weka Bay

• improve safety at the intersection of Maida Vale Road and Evans Bay Parade

• make things safer at the Weka Bay city-bound bus stop.

As with the earlier construction of new paths along Cobham Drive, keeping kororā (little blue penguins) safe where work happens on Evans Bay Parade is an important aspect of this project.

The Council is working with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Places for Penguins and a Wellington-based penguin detection dog and handler from the DabChickNZ - Specialist Ecological Services so Council knows where penguins are, or have been nesting before work starts.

Brad Singh, the Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Manager, says this is the narrowest part of the route between Oriental Bay and Greta Point and it’s taken longer than expected to complete the investigative and planning work required. 

“The seawall work follows on from the new walls that were completed at Ōmarukaikuru (Pt Jerningham) and will create more space for the new paths and improve resilience along this part of the coast. Making it safe and easy for people to ride, walk, and use public transport for everyday trips is key to rapidly cutting emissions.”

Image top: Miro the kororā detector at work; and above: little blue penguin. Credit: City of Wellington