2 Oct 2024

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The $50 million Te Kuru Wetlands project will be officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger at a public ceremony on 11 October.

Construction began on the 109-hectare facility in the upper catchment of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River in 2019 and is now complete. 

The project has been opened in stages during construction, with the wetlands’ walking and cycling tracks proving popular with the public.  

Te Kuru features expansive wetland areas, stormwater storage, and filtration basins. The basins can hold over one million cubic metres of floodwater during major rain events, significantly reducing the risk of downstream flooding.  

The basins also treat stormwater runoff from surrounding residential areas to improve water quality in Cashmere Stream. 

Te Kuru features large areas of native plantings, including 150,000 trees and 650,000 plants, along with bridges and approximately 14 kilometres of shared recreational paths for pedestrians and cyclists.  

Head of Three Waters, Gavin Hutchison, says the wetlands will be of huge benefit to the local community, both in reducing flood risk in the area and in creating new recreational and biodiversity opportunities. 

“This project has taken an incredible effort from staff, contractors and community volunteers. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved through collaboration with all parties. 

“Improving our floodplain and stormwater management was the catalyst for this project but a lot of work has gone into ensuring this area delivers long-term ecological and recreational benefits for the city. People can enjoy this area when the stormwater basins aren’t being used to store flood water.” 

The name Te Kuru was recommended to the Council by Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga. Te Kuru (‘the blow with the fist’) was used by mana whenua to reference the area in the past.  

A public opening event is being held at Te Kuru on Friday 11 October between 10.30am and 12.30pm.  
 
The event is an opportunity for people to come along and learn more about the area and the wider project and to take a walking tour of the site. 

The best entry point to Te Kuru is from the new carpark located at 600 Cashmere Road. A community planting day will also be held at Te Kuru on Saturday 12 October (weather dependent).