Link Pathway

Latest News

Future of Norfolk Pine Trees on Esplanade

In recent times the construction of the Link Pathway and other proposed or potential works along the seaward side of the Esplanade in Kaikōura has stimulated some discussion in the community regarding the 57 Norfolk Pine trees that are present along the foreshore.

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Full Assessment

Background

In 2021 Kaikōura District Council was successfully awarded $1.9m from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund to develop a Link Pathway between West End and Point Kean seal colony and for improvements to Dempsey’s track and the Peninsular lookout.

Since receiving the grant, Kaikōura District Council has consulted with stakeholders and has been scoping out the finer details of construction to inform final designs. Enabling works for the link pathway along the Esplanade and improvements to Dempsey’s Track have also been completed. We will be sharing the project’s progress on this webpage to keep the community up to date with progress.

View a 3D Map of the proposed pathway

Progress to date

Key work completed to date includes:

2022 Consultation with various groups and stakeholders. Feedback considered in design development and project objectives.

2022 Resource Consent submitted for Stage 1 and approval received

2022 Invitation Expressions of Interest from local contractors

2023 Site enabling works

Norfolk Pine tree shaping and check up
Stormwater outlets installed
Hedge removal at sections of the pathway to open up viewpoints

2023 Engineering reports & Quantity Survey completed.

2023 Erosion assessment of pathway lengths along foreshore after very large sea during Cyclone Gabrielle. Some amendments to initial design made to future proof against extreme weather events.

2023 Dempsey’s Track & The Lookout Upgrades

Dempsey's Track has benefitted from a number of upgrades.

Track widened to restore it to its original width, as sections of the track had become quite narrow over time due to encroaching vegetation.
New steps have been installed to soften the gradient in one section and some of the existing steps are being repaired.
New benches have been installed to allow more resting at key points of the track and to encourage a pause to take in the fantastic views.
Drainage channels cleared at the side of the track to minimise future water damage.
Old man's beard and banana passionfruit vines were also removed last year with help from the Volunteer Student Army from Canterbury University and Vines Free Kaikōura.
A general tidy up and beautification of the track is currently in progress

The Lookout - The improvement schedule for the coming months also includes resealing of the Lookout entrance and parking.

2023 - July, Community Surface Trial completed to gain community feedback on final surface choices for Stage 1.

Next steps from here include

Stage 1 Path Development - Now that the results of our community surface trial are in, we will develop Stage 1 of the Pathway from West End to Torquay Street.
Stage 2 Design & Resource Consent – We are finalising the design for Stage 2 of the pathway which stretches from the end of Torquay Street to Point Kean and will be submitting a resource consent application soon.
Continued opportunities for input - As the project continues to develop, we will also be asking the community for feedback on ideas for special areas along the route, furniture and finishes, as well as picking up the conversation with regard to opportunities for cultural narrative and public artwork. Will Doughty CEO commented, “We need to be very mindful that the project funding was obtained purely for development of the pathway itself and that some of these additional ideas will need to developed and funded overtime.”