Lovers Lane and Bridge opening
Published on 19 November 2024
Whangārei’s new Lovers Lane Bridge and Cafler Park boardwalk have opened, transforming the area into a sculptural, landscaped link between Second Avenue, Cafler Park and Rust Avenue.
The projects were blessed and unveiled at a dawn ceremony on Thursday 14 November 2024, before a ribbon cutting by Mayor Vince Cocurullo.
The event marks the joining together of the Raumanga Shared Path and the Kamo Shared Path via the new bridge, boardwalk and walkway between Te Iwitahi civic building and the Central Library.
“Combined with the new civic building, the landscaping, the new stage outside the Old Library and new paving, the area is becoming a place for our community to connect,” says Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo.
“And there is more to come. Early next year, the safety fence between the pathway and Cafler Park will be removed, revealing new informal seating, a basket swing, picnic tables and low planting on the edge of the park, creating a seamless flow throughout the area.
“The teams worked from that area with all their heavy machinery and equipment. Restoring it has allowed us to make improvements, add features, make it safer and more accessible, and turn it into another event space.”
This part of the project will be completed in January 2025 and an official event celebrating Cafler Park, Lovers Lane and the area in front of Te Iwitahi is planned for Friday 14 February 2025 – Valentine's Day.
Mayor Cocurullo says the bridge reflects the culture, history and natural environment of the area.
“Te Parawhau hapū, staff and contractors worked together to tell the story of the link from Second Avenue through to Rust Avenue. It follows a historic Māori pathway connecting Kauika Pā in the Western Hills with the rivers, streams and other food sources in the area.
“This is what gives the boardwalk its name, Te Ara Hīkoi ki Kauika (the pathway to Kauika).”
Teams working on the projects included Hawthorne Geddes Engineers, Boffa Miskell, Littoralis Landscape Architecture, Canam Commercial Ltd, Culham Engineering, NMI, Ezra Bell, BDX and Robinson Asphalts.