Work gets underway from Monday 23 February on the final town centre section of Te Ara Awataha – Northcote’s new greenway.
What is Te Ara Awataha?
Te Ara Awataha, meaning ‘the path of the Awataha’, is a greenway that winds from the source of the Awataha Stream at Papa ki Awataha Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, through Kaitaka Greenslade Reserve, past the schools and all the way to Kukari pocket park.
It connects people to parks, play spaces, the town centre, schools, homes - and importantly to nature. Designed as an off-road walking and cycling route, it’s a safe and enjoyable way for children and adults to move through the neighbourhood.
Te Ara Awataha has been delivered through a close partnership between the Auckland Urban Development Office (formerly Eke Panuku), Kāinga Ora, mana whenua, Healthy Waters, the Kaipātiki Local Board, local schools and the wider community.
Now, the Auckland Urban Development Office is starting the missing link through the town centre, with work expected to be completed in around six months.
What’s happening the town centre?
Kate Cumberpatch, Priority Location Direction, at the Auckland Urban Development Office, says,
‘It’s going to be wonderful to complete this award-winning collaborative project, involving so many, for the benefit of the community now and for future generations.
“We’ll be bringing nature and more greenery into the town centre. The Awataha Stream is currently piped underground - we’ll bring it to the surface and create new landscaping, a viewing platform, boardwalks, play and rest areas, and plant more trees and greenery. This will transform the space into somewhere nature can thrive and people can enjoy.”
A key benefit is improved stormwater resilience. “This work, alongside other drainage methods, will help reduce the flooding problems the town centre has faced for many years”
Where the stream has already been brought to the surface, native wildlife is returning – from banded kōkopu fish, koura (freshwater crayfish) to longfin eels, watercress, and even kākā.
“We’re hoping nature will flourish here too once this section is complete, Kate says.”
The new pathway alongside the stream will make it easier for people to walk and cycle into the town centre. It will eventually connect with future extension of Ernie Mays Street - as well as the new community hub and the upgraded Puāwai Cadness Reserve, both expected to be completed in late 2027.
Zero-waste is a core part of the build, with materials reused and recycled wherever possible to reduce landfill.
Things to know
- Some existing trees may need to be removed - where possible, they’ll be transplanted.
- Some car parks behind Pearn Crescent and Pearn Place will be removed to make way for the greenway. Alternative parking is available nearby in the town centre.
The bigger picture
This work is part of the ongoing transformation of Northcote’s Town Centre. Over the next two years, public facilities will be upgraded, followed by improvements to the shopping experience.
Find out more on the AUDO website.
The Auckland Urban Development Office leads Auckland Council’s urban transformation projects, working with mana whenua, developers, and the community to create vibrant, future-ready neighbourhoods.