New Zealand Walk: Hatea Loop Walkway links

The Hatea Loop is a 4.2km fully accessible multi use, inner harbour walkway that circles the Hatea River in Whangarei.

The walkway links the Town Basin with Te Matau a Pohe and William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island - from which a variety of activities can be enjoyed.

The entire loop is accessible for walking, jogging, pushbikes, all sorts of mobility aids and scooters and is also suitable for push-chairs.

The Hatea Loop that weaves past shops, through markets, beside yachts, parks and industrial areas, across the new cycle and footbridge over the Waiarohia Stream, is part of a grand vision of an area that all people can enjoy however they want to.

Kotuitui Whitinga - the bridge across the Waiarohia Stream ties the visual elements of the sail-like canopy and the rib-like wind-break on the Canopy Bridge at the Town Basin end of the loop walkway with the two dramatic hooks of Te Matau a Pohe at the other end.

Along the walkway people can enjoy an open-air market in summer, cafes, galleries and shops or the Te Kakano, (The Seed) an architectural sculpture in the shape of a koru using all the elements of Hundertwasser’s style. It is a beautiful and intriguing structure that gave the builders and artists the opportunity to adapt their skills for the now opened Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Maori Art Gallery. The HAC is 100 times the size of Te Kākano.

Along the walkway is the Whangarei Art Museum, home to the city’s art collection that embraces both heritage and contemporary works, and offers a captivating insight into the District’s history as is Reyburn House, home Above: The Kotuitui Whitinga walking bridge joins to Hihiaua Park. Below left: An outdoor fitness centre along the loop. Below right: A colourful bed of flowers beside the cafes. Below far right: The Hundertwasser Art Centre from Dent Street.

Above: Many yachts can be seen moored at the Town Basin. Middle left: The walkway passes many cafes. Below: Te Matau a Pohe Bridge across the lower Hatea. Photo Novaare Design of the Northland Society of Arts, is Whangarei’s oldest house, built in the 1870s and is surrounded by lovely gardens adjacent to the Town Basin playground.

Along the walkway, people can enjoy the Sculpture created by local artists, including the dramatic Waka and Wave stone sculpture at Hihiaua Point of a Maori waka (canoe) breaking through a towering wave, marking the entrance to the Whangarei Town Basin.

A super childrens’ playground and liberty swing (a wheelchair accessible swing) and petanque court add to the range of facilities for people of all ages and abilities.

There is fascinating history of the area on the Heritage Panels, including legends of how Whangarei got its name and information about the tribes of Whangarei, Te Tangata Whenua – the people of the land, descended from their ancestors who migrated from the Pacific.

The path connects with the bridge across the Waiarohia, which steps off onto a pathway along the opposite river bank to Te Matau a Pohe.

From there the path across William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island passes the Dog Exercise Park in one direction, where dogs can be let off the leash, the BMX track, an all ages

cycle track and skatepark, before heading back towards the Town Basin past boatsheds, Riverside Park and yachts.

The Hatea loop can be accessed from a variety of points. Many choose to start the walk from the Town Basin - although there is also parking adjacent to the Te Matau a Pohe bridge, on Pohe Island, and along Riverside Drive.

Enjoy the 4.2km Hatea Loop - a fully accessible walkway incorporating the Whangarei Town Basin Marina precinct, Sculpture and Heritage Trails.

Hatea Loop fact file

The Hatea Loop creates a 4.2km multi use trail loop around the inner harbour, including Town Basin, Riverside Drive and Art Park at Whangarei.

Time given for walking the loop is 60 minutes over the 4.2km loop.

The Hatea loop can be accessed from a variety of points. Many chose to start the walk from the Town Basin - although there is also parking adjacent to the Te Matau a Pohe bridge, on Pohe Island, and along Riverside Drive.

It links together numerous existing and future activities and experience and crosses three bridges

The loop walk includes 2.4km of 2.5m wide, broom finished concrete surface suitable for all non traffic vehicles with saw cut control joints, to make for a smoother ride.

The shared pathway traverses challenging terrain such as capped landfill and reclaimed estuarine environment

The project utilised waste materials such as remnants from Tutukaka pontoon. Steel remnants from Te Matau a Pohe were used to create bespoke site furniture and features.

The entire walkway is accessible for walking, jogging, pushbikes, all sorts of mobility aids and scooters, and is also suitable for pushchairs.

Dogs can also be taken but must be on a leash at all times except in the Dog Exercise Park. Above right: The harbour is home to many yachts. Above middle: On a sunny day the walkway attracts the crowds.