Pāpāmoa Hills Upgrade

2023-04-13 - Project in its final stages!

A new children’s play area, enhanced seating, interpretive panels and more are all set to feature in the Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park upgrade which is in its final stages.

After a year of preparing the ground for the new carpark, upcoming works include the installation of a new storm water system, rain garden, carpark surfacing and onsite effluent treatment.

A visually stunning tomokanga or entryway will welcome visitors to the site which is one of one of the most significant cultural and archaeological landscapes in Aotearoa. Track upgrades include the construction of a wheelchair-friendly short loop track and a new 1500m walkway connecting the new carpark and existing walkway. The latter will meander alongside the Maraearoa pā site offering more spectacular views. An 80m staircase will also be built as an option for a more direct route within the new track. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2023.

An overview of what’s been happening:

Carpark:

• HEB Construction have been contracted to complete the carpark construction, physical works of the project began early 2022 (after years of planning) when ground assessments were completed. This resulted in wick drains being installed and the site being pre-loaded from April 2022 until December 2022.
• The existing carpark will remain open as an alternative walking track option.
• Since early 2023 HEB have been actively progressing the new carpark construction with the main current and upcoming activities prior to opening being;
• Widening of the road carriageway for safe carpark access
• Stormwater system installation
• OSET system and facility infrastructure installation (Onsite Effluent Treatment)
• Rain garden and kerb channel formation followed by carpark surfacing
• Offsite tomokanga creation then installation
• Gathering space, children’s play area, seating and interpretive sign panels to be installation
• Short loop track creation providing a wheelchair friendly experience
• Environmental enhancement planting  

Walking tracks:

• New 1500m metalled walkway connecting the new carpark and existing walkway meanders beside Maraearoa pā site
• 80m staircase will be built as an option for a more direct route within the new track

Carpark progress, March 2023.

Track upgrades underway, March 2023.

Carpark progress, March 2023.

A misty view across the new carpark, March 2023.

Track upgrades underway, March 2023.

Track upgrades underway, March 2023.

2021-10-11 - Pāpāmoa Hills upgrade

A site blessing took place this morning to mark the beginning of works for the anticipated Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park upgrade project.

The new carpark and visitor entry space, which is scheduled to be completed next year, will be the primary access to the Regional Park and will provide more than 80 additional carpark spaces, and a visitor entry space highlighting the stories of the Pāpāmoa Hills’ history and occupation for members of the public to read.

There will be a new walking track from the carpark into the park, and a footpath connecting to the existing carpark.

The new carpark will be located approximately 300m to the east of the existing carpark entrance on Polar Lane.

A small group of representatives from Waitaha, Nga Potiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti He alongside Bay of Plenty Regional Councillors and staff, and consultants who are part of the project delivery team met at the location of the new carpark site to mark the occasion and bless the site before works begin.

Physical works for the new space should start in mid-November 2021 and includes site excavation and pre-loading with structural fill.

Boffa Miskell, Law Creative and WSP have now completed a detailed design of the new carpark and visitor entry space in partnership with representatives from Waitaha, Ngā Potiki, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti He.