Sod turned for Golden Mile but key contract still unsigned

Monday, 28 April 2025

Mayor Tory Whanau says she is proud to have pushed the project through.

As the Golden Mile project officially starts, the contract for the work to revitalise the first stage of the project, Courtenay Place, remains unsigned.

Officials met on Monday morning to celebrate the opening of the Golden Mile project as roadworks begin on the intersection of Kent and Cambridge terraces.

But with just the intersection signed off and October’s election day drawing closer, the fate of the project is at risk if it’s not signed soon and Mayor Tory Whanau is not re-elected.

Mayoral hopeful Andrew Little has listed reconsidering the controversial project as one of his priorities along with fellow mayoral candidates councillor Ray Chung and Karl Tiefenbacher.

The Golden Mile project aims to revitalise the stretch between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place by eliminating cars, widening the footpath and adding a cycle lane.

Mayor Tory Whanau is calling the design a 'game-changer' that would will mark a key step in Wellington's transformation into a more modern, walkable city.

Whanau said she was “pretty confident” the contract would be signed before election day, but said that call was based off an assumption.

“It's really important that we make sure these contracts are right, otherwise we end up paying way more than we should.”

Transport and infrastructure manager Brad Singh hoped to have a contract signed soon.

A design of what the Kent and Cambridge terraces will look like once it's completed.

“At the end of the day, what we're trying to do is ensure the appropriate and the right contract to deliver value for money for Wellingtonians, so we're not going to rush it.”

For Whanau, it’s a project she’s held close to her heart, and she’s fought for it to stay in the council budget.

Speaking to the crowd on Monday morning, after she had dug a spade into the ground, she said she couldn’t be prouder to have pushed the project through.

A blessing and sod-turning ceremony for the Golden Mile project was held on Monday morning.

“There's been a lot of passion, good and bad, put into the project, but I see this as a real turning point for the city and for our future.”

The project would make the road safer, more community focused and accessible. “It's going to be a place that we can be proud of as a city.”

Addressing the construction disruptions, Whanau acknowledged it would be tough for businesses, and the council would continue to work with them.

But that did not include financial compensation, Singh said. “That's been the stance of the project throughout its life.”

The Courtenay Place construction, hoped to start later this year or early next year, is expected to take two years.

The intersection work, expected to take eight months and to come in under $5 million, will begin with the installation of a new kerb and a temporary bike lane, redeveloping the centre island from May to October, working on the Embassy footpath from September to October and utility works from October to November.

Bus diversions for the Cambridge/Kent intersection will be in place once the Wakefield St work is completed

Most of the construction work will be done during the day, and some work will take place at night to minimise disruption.

An additional $23 million has been budgeted to spend upgrading pipes underneath the Golden Mile.