Paraparaumu transport hub upgrade

We worked with Metlink to make the Paraparaumu transport hub bigger and better, so it's easier for our growing community to use public transport and connect to nearby shops.

Buses started running from the new transport hub on Sunday 25 August 2024.

The plan for the transport hub was to make a safe, easy-to-use space for everyone. The upgrade turned a car park into a public plaza everyone can use.

There's a ‘kiss and ride’ zone where drivers can safely stop to drop off or pick up passengers.

November video update

The plaza is on both sides of the road, connected by a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights. It has new plants and garden beds, bus shelters and cover for people walking, benches, and cultural features, and a secure bike park with spots for 10 bikes, and charging for e-bikes and scooters. Wider footpaths on the retail side of the road make it easier to walk to nearby shops.

The cost of the project to Council was $10.7 million, more than the original $8.5 million estimate. The project also took longer than planned. The cost went up due to:

• inflation, which is being felt across all projects, with some items costing up to 25 percent more
• extra costs for disposing of unexpected contaminated materials
• installing thicker asphalt for the bus area that will last 25 years
• adding items like service ducting, safety features and fencing that weren’t originally part of the contract.

The project took longer than expected because:

• The start was delayed due to Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency’s work on the old highway; we had to wait for their team to finish before we could begin.
• There were delays getting access to pedestrian areas near Coastlands and working around bus replacements for trains.
• We found unexpected asbestos and underground services, which made the work more complicated and time-consuming.

Town centre masterplan

A key part of the Paraparaumu town centre masterplan is the upgrade of our transport hub. This plan was created because of the new Expressway and changes to the old State Highway 1, which Waka Kotahi turned into a local road.

The goal of the masterplan's is to make Paraparaumu the heart of our district and the main spot for shopping, business, culture, and community activities.