This project integrates walking, cycling and social infrastructure within the complex and sensitive estuarine environment of Te Whau River. Weaving between land, estuary and mangrove, the pathway reunites disconnected communities and creates opportunities for people to connect physically back to the awa.

We have re-imagined this walking, cycling and social infrastructure connection as a recessive, environmentally responsive and multi-layered form that offers a range of episodic play, water access and social experiences that stitch together land, water, people and community.

The alignment and elegant modular design, responds to the landscape and is designed with environmental impact, longevity, and constructability in mind. Modular water access opportunities are appended as ‘pods’ off the pathway, while on land nature play elements, furniture and wayfinding suites build on the identity of Te Whau Pathway.

Te Whau Pathway’s sinuous and sleek form is carefully designed to be recessive in nature, with the colour palette reflecting the intertidal landscape zone, Te Taiao - the natural world and environment, and the highly significant kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit) that migrate annually from Alaska to feed and roost on the tidal flats and coastal marshes of Aotearoa.

The first two of the boardwalks are currently under construction:  the connection between the Northwestern Cycleway and Bridge Avenue in Te Atatū, and Bridge Avenue to Horowai / Roberts Field in Te Atatū South.