Owhiro Bay Entrance Upgrade

Entrance to the South Coast and Te Kopahou Reserve

Wellington City Council has upgraded the Owhiro Bay entrance to the South Coast and Te Kopahou Reserve.

Officially opened in June 2008, the new entrance has won three awards:

a New Zealand Recreation Association Outstanding Park award
a Wellington Civic Trust Best Environmental Project award
a Property Council of New Zealand award.

The area was once used as a quarry and the Council has been restoring it as a reserve since 2000. Upgrading the entrance was the last phase in this project.

Concept Plan

The Owhiro Bay Concept Plan aimed to beautify the gateway to the nearby seal colony and other natural attractions.

The design is consistent with the rugged natural environment. There are no sumps or kerbs, and the carparks are rough chip sealed.

The area is fully landscaped with rocks, exposed aggregates, timber and native coastal plants.

Owhiro Bay Concept Plan (618Kb PDF)

Design Features

Colin Webster-Watson, Frenzy, c. 1975

The upgrade includes the following:

Carpark - providing a more pedestrian-friendly environment, limiting where vehicles can go and identifying safe crossing points. There is space for about 40 to 45 cars.
Shelter - including seating, toilets, water and information panels. The shelter, with room for up to 30 people, is placed close to the hillside to minimise visual impact. There are picnic areas and sheltered sitting and viewing areas nearby.

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Signs - supplying information on botanical, geological and environmental features, as well as Māori and European history in the area. There is also entry signage and a map board.
Roading - a sealed asphalt road through the centre of the site facilitates vehicle access to the coastal track, bus turning area and access to car parks. Pedestrian and cycle paths are separated from vehicle access.
Hape stream upgrade - officers considered all the options in relation to the dam and aimed to restore natural aspects of the stream.