Work is underway to protect and improve access to one of our city’s greatest assets - Tauranga Harbour city centre waterfront.
The improvements will complement the new civic precinct - Te Manawataki o Te Papa and are expected to attract people from near and far - making it a destination that people are proud of and want to spend time in – a place that is uniquely Tauranga.
A safe, parkland setting will form a natural extension to the city centre, along with improved access to the water’s edge for people to take part in a range of water activities, a flexible event space that can be used all year round, plenty of spaces to play, and a boulevard along the water’s edge for walking and cycling.
The refreshed Waterfront Plan was formally adopted by Council in September 2022. $94.8 million has been allocated for the development of the city centre waterfront, with many projects earmarked for completion before the end of 2024.
Artist impression of the coastal reserve at the northern end of the Tauranga waterfront.
Key projects active or coming up include:
- A new playground and amenity block
- A new green space designed to host large events/li>
- Upgrades to the Dive Crescent car park and Beacon Wharf
- Development of a costal connection and boardwalk including a railway underpass and pathway up to Tunks Reserve connecting to Elizabeth Street.
Unique living seawall in the heart of Tauranga city centre is coming
The new coastal feature, involving 100 living seawall pods, ranging in size from 130kg to 2000kg, and 8,000 tonnes of rock boulders have been carefully designed to blend with the existing coastal systems, and will help to encourage a more diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem.
Artist impression of the new 'living seawall' being constructed at the northern end of the Tauranga waterfront reserve.
Work begins on The Strand north reserve
The Strand waterfront car park is now closed marking the start of the transformation at the northern end of our waterfront so it becomes a place where more people can spend time and events can be held. The car park area will be transformed into a new green reserve and a new destination playground. Over 100 car parks are available just across the road at the newly upgraded Dive Crescent car park, with all parking options outlined on our parking information page.
The construction site will cordon off The Strand waterfront car park and the adjacent pathway along the water’s edge. This area is expected to be fenced off and under construction until mid-2024.