The contractors, Fulton Hogan, established a site office at Motukaraka Point last week. A Karakia at 7.30am on Monday morning set work underway for the next section of Te Ara Piko.

This section will link Motukaraka Point with Kakaho Stream and will leave only one section to complete the Pathway from the Pauatahanui Village to the Camborne Walkway.

For the first time since the project began the pathway will need to be built up and extended into the Pauatahanui Inlet. The process for doing this has been carefully planned with input from ecologists, wildlife experts, and archaeologists. Ngāti Toa, the Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet and the local Residents' Association were all consulted.

Te Ara Piko is popular with locals and visitors alike. At present, approximately 122 people are using it each day and this number is expected to increase when the next stage is complete.

Construction costs for the Kakaho Stream to Motukaraka Point section are around $930,000.

The long-term planning process was recently completed by Porirua City Council. The Council has agreed to provide an additional $350,000 in 2020-2021.to complete the final section in partnership with Plimmerton Rotary.