SPRING INTO ACTION ACROSS TE RĀ NUI

Spring has brought real momentum across Te Rā Nui, with dozens of new homes blessed and ready for whānau to move in, construction well under way on more, and significant milestones reached on both the Cannons Creek Park and Wetland, and the new reservoir.

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

WHĀNAU MOVING IN, MORE ON THE WAY

It's been a landmark quarter for home completions. A total of 68 new social homes have recently been blessed and are ready for occupation, spread across multiple sites including the Esk sites (40 homes), Westmeath Street and Warspite Avenue (3 homes), 339 Warspite Avenue (9 homes), 136 Castor Crescent (2 homes), Miranda Street  (7 homes), and 2-4 Corinna Street (7 homes). With a further 6 at 118 Castor Crescent to follow in November.

Two Open Home events were also held in July, giving community stakeholders and neighbours the opportunity to take part in the blessings of 15 new homes at Karera Grove (Esk/Castor) in Cannons Creek, and 9 homes at Warspite Avenue in Waitangirua. It was wonderful to have some of the incoming whānau share in the blessing of their new homes, with genuine gratitude shared for the builders and Kāinga Ora kaimahi who brought them to life. Among those moving in are whānau who have lived on Miranda Street for more than 20 years, transferring from homes earmarked for removal just down the road — able to stay close to the neighbours and neighbourhood they know. Our construction partners consistently say that meeting the whānau who will live in these homes is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

Construction is also well under way on a further 28 homes at the corner of Fantame, Castor and Miranda Street, alongside 22 additional homes now progressing on the remaining Esk sites. Meanwhile, Central Pasifika Collective (CPC) is closing in on its December completion date for 32 Pasifika homes on the Esk Block, which are now available for sale through CPC.

Work is underway to prepare sites for up to 80 new homes, adding to the pipeline of new, high-quality homes in the neighbourhood. Three existing homes have been relocated by truck to be re-established elsewhere in the development.

To support the additional homes being built, several neighbourhood infrastructure projects are planned for 2027 to replace existing worn out and undersized stormwater and wastewater pipes, alongside water supply renewals.

PORIRUA RESERVOIR: RISING FROM THE GROUND

Significant structural progress has been made on the new reservoir at Stemhead Lane in Whitby this quarter.

Base slab: The 508m³ base slab was successfully poured on 4 August 2026, with all post-tensioning works now complete.

Walls: Both 150T and 70T cranes have been mobilised on site. Six columns with their base plinths have been installed and temporarily propped, and all 40 wall panels and pilasters have been delivered and positioned. Stitch pour works are currently in progress.

Roof: Upper ring beam falsework is in place in preparation for the associated concrete works.

Valve chamber: The main structure, waterproofing, subsoil drainage and backfilling are all complete, with internal valve and pipe fitting installations ongoing.

Civil works: All stormwater pipework from MH6 to MH1 (including the PRV chamber) has been installed, and the inlet water line is currently under construction.

Commissioning: The first revision of the commissioning plan has been submitted for review.

CANNONS CREEK PARK AND WETLAND: NEARING THE FINISH LINE

Progress continues across the park and wetland, with installation works close to completion on both the stormwater and sewer upgrades.

Stormwater upgrade: 97% complete, with 9 of 10 manholes installed and 463m of 490m of concrete pipe in the ground.

Sewer upgrade: 95% complete, with 17 of 19 manholes installed and 772m of 803m of pipe laid.

Wetland: The energy dissipation chamber construction is complete. Large concrete pipes connecting the inlet chamber, energy dissipation chamber and existing manhole have been installed.

Landscape: The gravel pathway on the western side is complete (excluding the nature play area), and the gravel pathway to Worcester Street is also done.

TIMELINE

Spring 2026

Reservoir

• Pipe tunnel fit-out completed

• Reservoir walls completed

• 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

Cannons Creek Park and Wetland

• Earthwork stabilisation for winter period

• Energy dissipation chamber installed

• Manhole 1 installed

• Pipe connections between inlet chamber, energy dissipation chamber and existing manhole

• Stormwater and sewer upgrade installation within the carpark area

Summer 2026/2027

Reservoir

• Commerce Crescent stormwater upgrades completed

• Stainless steel pipes inside the reservoir completed

• Reservoir roof completed

• Drainage upgrade at wetland and alongside Waitangirua Link Road completed

Cannons Creek Park and Wetland

• Wetland earthworks resume

• Stormwater and wastewater upgrades completed

• Castor Crescent connection

• Entrance from Warspite Avenue onto Sport Field 1

• Western pathway and nature play area construction

• Viewing platform installation

• Planting

Autumn/Winter 2027

Reservoir

• Connections and trial shutdowns completed

• Reservoir testing and commissioning completed

• Completion activities including permanent drainage, pavement and landscape planting

Cannons Creek Park and Wetland

• Entrance from Castor Crescent to Sport Field 1

• BBQ area construction

• Pathway across Sport Field 2 and amenities around Pavilion building

• Play area construction

• Carpark resurfacing

• Planting

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.