Today we celebrate the opening of the Horowai Connection: the most northerly section of Te Whau Pathway, running almost 2 kilometres from the Te Atatū intersection of the Northwestern Cycleway to Horowai/Roberts Field.
We last wrote about Te Whau Pathway when it was under construction – and already a thing of beauty, inside and out. Today, the dream becomes a reality. We celebrate not only a route, but a destination in its own right. Not only a path for humans, but the waterway it brings us into contact with. Not only nature, but our heritage in following a traditional Māori portage route.
The wide boardwalk hovers over rippling tides and mangroves. Kōtare swoop for shellfish. The curves of the path as it snakes along the Whau river’s path are reminiscent of koru.
The Horowai Connection, plus a few completed on-land sections further south mean Te Whau Pathway is 40% complete. Te Whau Pathway Trust doesn’t yet have funding for the next section: Horowai (Roberts Field) to McLeod Park. They also need funding to commence planning for the section from Rizal Reserve to Olympic Park. We want to see this in Auckland Council’s 2026/27 budget. You can help, by asking them for it in your feedback on the Annual Plan (see our guide).
We think it’s vital that the council commits to completing Te Whau Pathway. When it’s connected up, the full benefit of the investment and work to date will be realised. Continuing the path south creates the connection to existing infrastructure such as the transport interchanges and the New Lynn to Avondale Pathway. One day, it’ll go all the way to the water at Green Bay.
Is it good value for money? The cost of Te Whau Pathway is a little lower than other boardwalk style paths, like the Orakei Basin section of Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai. A break in construction if it isn’t funded soon would undoubtedly increase costs. New boardwalk paths are more expensive than repurposing existing road space for cycling (an approach we also love), but that’s a very different proposition than what we’re achieving with Te Whau Pathway.
Te Whau Pathway doesn’t compete for space with other road users. It’s an entirely new route, bringing the community back into connection with Te Whau, and linking up many schools and other destinations without the need to go near road traffic. The quiet is truly a delight.
We urge you to give the Horowai Connection a go – and then raise your voice for the rest of the Pathway.
