More than 100 people braved cool temperatures to attend the official opening of stage three of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan yesterday (Monday October 11).

The event celebrated the recently completed shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists which stretches from Bullock Creek to the Wānaka Marina, as well as a new lakefront boardwalk and native plantings, all of which are part of an ongoing project to transform the lakefront.

The shared pathway has been named Te Ara Wānaka.

“This will be an asset which will be enjoyed not only by locals but also our visitors,” mayor Jim Boult said in his opening speech.

Jim and Wānaka Community Board chairman Barry Bruce jointly opened the development with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Wānaka Community Board chair Barry Bruce and Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult cut the ribbon to officially open Te Ara Wānaka.

“This has been constructed in such a way that it honours the history of our area and it respects the environment. I think that current and future generations will get huge enjoyment out of this part of our lakeshore,” Barry said.

Manu whenua representative Komene Cassidy (Ngāpuhi) performed a whakawātea to clear the area for the opening and bestow good fortune on it.

Members of the public and officials were invited to walk the new boardwalk following the ribbon cutting.

Wānaka’s Nina Fischer enjoyed one of the seating areas on the boardwalk with a view of the nesting grebe population. 

“It’s a lovely idea for Wānaka,” she said. “It’s nice and ...we can have a look at the grebes.”

Queenstown resident Jackie Rule, who was visiting Wānaka yesterday, said the new features were “awesome”.

Jim acknowledged the work of the construction team and singled out Wānaka’s ‘grebe man’ John Darby. 

“This project would not be possible without vital contributions from key stakeholders … and I’d like to give a special mention to John Darby for his critical guidance in the protection of Lake Wānaka’s grebe population,” Jim said.

Jim also thanked Blakely Construction, the main contractor for stage three, along with Reset Urban Design, RCP (project managers), and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) parks team.

“We’ve also had a great deal of assistance from WAI Wānaka helping with signage and the scientific information displayed on it. Also to Te Kākano for helping provide plants and hosting community planting sessions,” Jim said.

Work on Te Ara Wānaka commenced in February with Lakeside Road reduced to one lane during the construction phase. The road is now fully open.

Find more on the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan (LDP) here.

Related: Have your say on research into impact of lakefront development

PHOTOS: Wānaka App