Pegasus Walkway, Tutaepatu Lagoon and Coastal Recreation Reserves, Waimakariri

Tuhaitara Coastal Reserve covers approximately 550ha of land along the coastline from the Waimakariri river mouth to Waikuku township.  Stretching along the coast for 10.5km it comprises many natural features of local, regional and national importance to the people of New Zealand.  As a coastal park it will provide a range of opportunities to preserve Ngai Tahu values, retain and enhance bio-diversity, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for all people.  At the centre of the reserves, Tutaepatu Lagoon is located between Woodend Beach and the new town of Pegasus and is a culturally significant feature of the area being once used as an important source of mahinga kai (food).  However over the past 50years the lagoon has become degraded due to changes to hydraulic flows in the area and the lagoon is now surrounded by willow trees with access now extremely limited.  The development of Pegasus is likely to result in further changes to water flows and may impact on the lagoon’s ability to be used for future harvesting of mahinga kai.

Working for MWH, we were commissioned by the Trust and Waimakariri District Council in December 2006 to prepare concept plans for the significant restoration of Tutaepatu Lagoon, Pegasus Walkway and the Waimakariri Coast Reserves - Eastern District.  The approach to this project included a walking workshop with the client and key personnel to identify issues and opportunities relating to the reserves, lagoon and walkway network.  Two workshops followed where the designs were developed through an iterative process with specialists providing expert advice throughout.  As the designs evolved four key elements critical to the success of the project were identified, being:

• cultural significance,

• ecology

• hydrology

• recreational opportunities

The project has developed a strategy for the development and restoration of the reserves for the next 50 years, aiming to achieve the Trust’s vision for the lagoon and coastline.  The Trust is seeking to restore the coastline to a pre-European state as far as practicable, re-introducing native plant species and restoring hydraulic flows, while providing recreational opportunities and being the cultural significance of the area to the forefront.
Throughout the project, sustainability was a key aspect of the design with the intention of minimising the use of imported materials and avoidance of altering natural systems.  The design promoted sustainable use of transport as well as the use of low impact design solutions to deal with stormwater runoff.

Client
TE KOHAKA O TUHAITARA TRUST AND WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Year
2006 - 2007