We want to make it easier to walk and cycle around Whangārei, and asked for public feedback.
We have $1.7 million from Waka Kotahi NZTA to make immediate improvements to the Tikipunga Route, which includes, Te Kamo East, Tikipunga, Otangarei, Kensington east, down to Mairtown and Regent.
We also need to link up the central city to existing shared paths, as well as plan routes for new paths to Port Nikau and Morningside.
Public feedback on other parts of the network will be used to plan our programme of walking and cycling improvements.
This isn’t just limited to walkers and cyclists – we also want to hear from walkers with pushchairs, and people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, skateboards, skates, scooters and e-scooters!
Feedback closed on Friday 12 May 2023.
The Tikipunga Route and Business Case
The 2018 Whangārei District Walking and Cycling Strategy identified five main pedestrian and cycling routes in the city. Strategic priorities were set based on building connections between “backbone routes”, schools, and other key destinations.
The Tikipunga Route has been identified as the next major route for investment. This route will connect the city centre to the fast-growing northern subdivisions in Te Kamo East, Tikipunga High School, Tikipunga shopping centres and Whangārei Falls, down through Otangarei, Kensington and Regent to the central city. The route also connects with the Tūtūkākā Coast recreational route, improving walking and cycling for communities in Glenbervie and Ngunguru and providing tourism opportunities.
We are working on a Tikipunga Route Business Case to cover short-term improvements to a detailed design level and long-term improvements to a programme level. Further funding will be sought in future Long Term Plans.
Walking and cycling strategy
Map of proposed Tikipunga Route
Will the Tikipunga Route be a new shared path?
The exact type of improvements to the Tikipunga Route may vary. In some cases, the investment may be improved footpaths and cycle lanes or traffic calming to establish “neighbourhood greenways”. These are low speed, low traffic local streets suitable for people of all ages and abilities to cycle along.
Benefits of walking and cycling
Whangārei is changing with population growth, more cars on our roads, and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Making walking and cycling easier and safer will allow more people to move around independently and in a more sustainable way.
Benefits of investing in cycling and walking
- good for community health
- good for the environment - reduced carbon emissions
- improved safety for walkers and cyclists
- reduces traffic congestion on roads
- saves fuel and parking costs
- more liveable communities
Find out more about walking and cycling in Whangārei:
Walking and cycling