A WINTER OF STEADY PROGRESS ACROSS TE RĀ NUI

As we head into winter, Te Rā Nui has plenty to show for the past few months - whānau moving into new homes, construction under way on dozens more, and major milestones reached at Cannons Creek Park, the Wetland and the new Porirua High Level No. 2 Reservoir.

Here's a look at what's been happening:

NEW HOMES, NEW WHĀNAU

It's been a busy quarter for new homes and the whānau moving into them. In May 2026, we celebrated the blessing and handover of two homes on our Cornwall site, four homes on our Cheshire site, and four homes on our Westmeath site. In June, blessing and handover of the Westmeath homes was completed.

Construction is nearing completion on a further 68 social homes, to be handed over throughout July and August. In addition, another 56 homes recently commenced construction across Esk, Fantame and other sites, with completion expected in 2027. 

Elsewhere, we're preparing to remove another 39 homes in FY27 to make way for future builds, and good progress continues on the 30 new CPC (Central Pasifika Collective) market homes, on track for completion by the end of December 2026. Four retrofit homes were also completed this quarter.

PORIRUA HIGH LEVEL NO. 2 RESERVOIR: STRUCTURE TAKING SHAPE

Design

The detailed design is complete and the Issued for Construction (IFC) set has been released. Tiaki Wai, formerly Wellington Water, has confirmed acceptance of the final design, marking the successful conclusion of the design and consenting phase.

Earthworks and ground improvements

Early approval of the groundworks allowed construction activities to begin in January 2026, ahead of the final design being completed. Over recent months, the site has been excavated to a depth of around 8m, with 3,500m³ of the excavated material mixed with cement and reinstated to strengthen the ground beneath the future reservoir. A crane pad has also been built around the perimeter of the reservoir footprint. Earthworks and ground improvements are now complete, and the site has transitioned from an earthworks operation to a structured site.

Pipe tunnel and valve chamber

The valve chamber walls and floor are complete, including the footings and subfloor drainage, the landing of 20 precast wall panels, the base slab poured after panel placement, and external waterproofing of the valve chamber walls. Stainless steel pipe sections were fabricated off-site and installed, allowing the mass concrete block - which ties into the underside of the reservoir base slab - to be poured.

Reservoir base slab

The blinding and leak-detection lines under the reservoir base slab have been installed, along with the drainage channel around the reservoir's perimeter. The reservoir base slab forms, including block-outs for the post-tension anchor heads, are also in place.

CANNONS CREEK PARK AND WETLAND: BUILDING MOMENTUM

Wetland

The fish refuge pond, wetland outlet and tuna hotel are all now installed, along with the wetland's subsoil drainage. Wetland earthworks have been cut down to subgrade level, and with major earthworks now paused, the site has been prepared for winter stabilisation. The base slab and walls for both the inlet chamber and the energy dissipation chamber are complete.

Wastewater upgrade

Installation has reached 486m of the 803m sewer pipe required, with 11 of 20 manholes now installed.

Stormwater upgrade

Installation has reached 313.5m of the 490.5m stormwater pipe required, with 8 of 11 manholes now installed.

HONOURING THE WHENUA

Work is under way to bring cultural elements to life across the site. A master carver has been engaged to create the Waharoa and Pou, alongside a structural engineer from DTCE Consulting Engineers to design the foundations and structural support. An Expression of Interest was also released to engage a local artist to supply and install further cultural elements, including BBQ shelter shade panels and posts, patterns in paving at entrances, seating elements, and standalone art pieces.

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY

Kāinga Ora, the Housing Delivery Group and the Porirua Place-based team celebrated the completion of three developments - Cornwall Crescent (2 homes), Westmeath Street (4 homes) and Cheshire Street (4 homes) - ahead of whānau moving into their new whare. In June, blessings were held at 40-42 Fantame and 118-120 Castor Crescent ahead of construction getting under way.

Tē Pātē, the purpose-built community space in Cannons Creek, continues to be a hub of activity, hosting youth group programmes, eyelash services and korowai weaving, to name a few. If you're interested in these activities or in using the space, call in and see the team at 2 Mentor Lane.

COMING UP: OPEN HOMES THIS WINTER

Open home events are being planned for July and August at three larger sites nearing the end of their construction phase - Castor Crescent, Warspite Ave and Esk Place. Keep an eye out for more details closer to the time.

TIMELINE

Winter/Spring 2026
Wetland project

• Fish refuge completed

• Wetland outlet completed

• Stormwater and sewer upgrade within Sport Field 1 completed
  

Reservoir project

• Leak detection under base slab and blinding completed

• Pipe tunnel structure completed

• Pipe tunnel - pipes, valves, electrical, fit-out completed

• Reservoir base slab completed

• Reservoir walls completed

• Reservoir columns and upper ring beam completed

• Cross connection from pipe tunnel to new control chamber completed

• Outlet from pipe tunnel to Waitangirua Link Road completed

• Drainage line from pipe tunnel to wetland completed

• Commerce Crescent stormwater upgrades completed

Summer 2026/2027
Wetland project

• Pathway construction

• Pathway lighting installation

• Upper sports field sub-soil drainage installation

• Installation of landscape design features such as BBQ and play equipment

• Wetland earthwork

Reservoir project

• Stainless steel pipes inside the reservoir completed

• Reservoir roof completed

• Drainage upgrade at wetland and alongside Waitangirua Link Road completed

Autumn 2027
Wetland project

• Wetland planting

• Park planting

• Continuation of pathway installation

Reservoir project

• Connections and trial shutdowns completed

• Completion activities, including permanent drainage, pavement, landscape planting, etc. completed

• Reservoir testing and commissioning completed

PROPOSED HOMES UPDATE

*Approximate numbers only. We will provide updates if there are any changes to the plans.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

If you have questions, check out our project pages, FAQs, or get in touch with the team here.