Tairawhiti Navigations & Inner Harbour

Tairāwhiti has a unique and rich heritage based around Māori and European navigational stories, contact and settlement.

The Tairāwhiti Navigations project is about unlocking the tourism and economic potential of the Gisborne region through interpreting and celebrating our rich culture and heritage.

A cultural heritage trail through Gisborne’s Inner Harbour, Titirangi Reserve and other key sites is proposed. A series of walkways, bridges and lookouts including interpretive signage will help to bring our stories and traditions to life. These developments will also complement the upgrade of the Inner Harbour making it attractive and vibrant.

The project has progressed over the last 5 years with funding from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Eastland Community Trust and Eastland Infrastructure. Initially the Inner Harbour upgrade and Navigations were considered different projects. However to prevent overlapping plans Council has decided they should progress as a single project.

What we plan to do

The project includes developing light infrastructure and stories at key sites in the region.  Sites will be linked by walkways and paths including:

• A path from the museum to the marina
• A boardwalk to the slipway in the middle of the harbour
• A walkway attached to the railway bridge across the Turanganui River
• Walkways connecting the Inner Harbour to Titirangi and the Cook Landing site
• A new lookout on Titirangi overlooking the Cook Landing monument
• A walkway from Te Poho o Rawiri Marae to the top of Titirangi
• A bridge over the river to Waikanae Beach
• New road layout, better parking and landscaping around the Inner Harbour.

Overtime, the Tairāwhiti Navigations project will extend to other navigational sites in the district such as Whangara, Tolaga Bay and Cooks Cove.

The cost

• Cost - $12.55m
• Council contribution - $4.03m (32%)
• External funding - $8.52m (68%)
• Construction - beginning 2012/13 and completed 2019/20

Documents and more information

PowerPoint presentation - Tairawhiti Navigations Progress Report February 2011 (5MB)

PowerPoint presentation - Tairawhiti Navigations Major Project Update June 2011 (945kb)

PowerPoint presentation - Inner Harbour (945kb)

Project Plan - Tairawhiti Navigations (559kb)

Tairawhiti Navigations Project pre-feasibility study (1.5MB 48 pages)

The study proposes an initial navigational traditions development of coordinated light infrastructure and story development at key sites within the Tairāwhiti region to acknowledge our heritage, generate business opportunities and affirm the appeal of the region as a great place to live and visit.

Media releases

15 December 2010 - Concepts for Tairāwhiti Navigations Project on their way

A concept for the pathways and storyboards that will tell the story of this region's rich navigation history is ...Read more

15 October 2010 - Contract to progress Tairāwhiti Navigations Project is signed

The Tairāwhiti Navigations Project is making good progress after receiving a grant from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise in June this year. Read more...

26 July 2010 - 3 economic development projects funded by NZTE

3 projects identified in the Regional Development Plan have secured $323,600 from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. 
Read more ...