Harakeke WalkwayHīkoinga Harakeke

Harakeke Walkway is spread across 4.5 hectares, between Chambers and Nash Streets, in Napier. 

Harakeke Walkway is the result of a community project between Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Napier City Council. It has transformed what had been a plain, grassed reserve called Plantation Drain, with an often dry, rubbish-filled and overgrown drain running along one side.

Look for the Hawke's Bay Regional Parks and Open Spaces brochure at i-sites and other visitor centres.

What you will find:

• Wide concrete and limesand pathways
  
• Feature bridges
• More and more birdlife
• ‘Pocket wetlands’ to slow and filter stormwater
• Gentle slopes that lead down to the waterway
• A community mural on neighbouring fences 

Talks about improving this isolated reserve began back in 2003.Then in 2008, renewed active discussions led to visual designs and conversations with the Maraenui community.Both councils created a design to work around critical pipework, to realign the 'drainage channel'. The new waterway appears natural. Harakeke Walkway is fed by a bore at the upstream (ocean) end, and completed with walkways, native plants and bridges.

According to local Māori, this area was once covered in native flax, which were then harvested for rāranga and rongo, weaving and medicinal purposes – hence the naming of the Harakeke or flax plant.

To discuss this project, contact our Environmental team on 06 833 8089.