Waterfront safety improvements

We’re improving the waterfront lighting and promenade edging to ensure a safe, vibrant precinct for everyone to enjoy.

Night-time image of the Wellington city waterfront.

About the project

The waterfront precinct is a celebrated part of our city, and our goal is to ensure it's a safe, vibrant place for everyone. We are undertaking significant upgrades to the lighting and edge protection along the waterfront to meet the evolving needs of this popular area.

The project includes:

Upgrading the existing promenade lighting network with new pole and building-mounted lights
Installing permanent edge protection measures
Enhancing overall safety and accessibility of the waterfront
Developing a disposal plan for old materials that supports our broader sustainability goals

This project is necessary due to:

The waterfront's transformation from a working wharf to a lifestyle and entertainment precinct
Increasing foot traffic and use by commuters, event-goers, and tourists
Address the continual increase of public use, and of different transport modes such as e-bikes and e-scooters
Improved safety, reducing the risk of accidental falls into the water
The need to replace aging infrastructure, with existing lights nearing the end of their working life
The need to meet updated Australia/New Zealand standards for pedestrian activity areas

These improvements align with the Council's goal to make central Wellington a safer, more vibrant and welcoming place. It will significantly enhance the waterfront through increased safety, accessibility and visibility for all users. There are also long-term cost savings through lighting systems that are energy efficient and emit reduced light pollution.

We are committed to balancing these improvements with preserving the special character of the waterfront.

Team effort

The project team is working closely with a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for the waterfront, including:

Tenants and businesses in the area
Our Tākai Here partners and mana whenua designers
The waterfront Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
External experts including lighting engineers, landscape architects, urban designers, heritage advisors, and structural engineers

This collaborative approach reflects the principle of Manaakitanga, emphasizing hospitality, care, and valuing each individual's safety.

We are also actively engaging with property owners, hospitality and tourism operators, and various waterfront users such as commuters, tourists, and performers.

Lighting improvements

The new lighting system uses the European iGuzzini Agora fitting, and will significantly enhance the waterfront experience through:

360-degree illumination, extending light to the wharf edge for increased safety
Taller poles with multiple light fittings for better reach and spread of light
Remote control capabilities for adjusting light levels based on events or emergencies
Energy-efficient design for reduced operational costs
Warmer colour temperatures (3000K) to minimize effects on wildlife and reduce light pollution

The new poles are designed to last for 50 years and can support additional technology such as people counters, speakers, banners, and CCTV cameras as budget allows. It is more cost effective than repairing the exist poles, which were built to an old structural standard and are too short to provide the best lighting solution.

Edge protection

New edge protection measures will be installed to enhance safety while preserving the waterfront's character. These include:

A suite of standard designs for different areas of the waterfront
Bespoke designs for specific locations, such as the Kumutoto precinct
Balancing safety requirements with maintaining harbour views
Preserving access to the water at multiple points along the promenade

The placement and total length of edge protection will be determined based on health and safety requirements, coronial recommendations, public feedback, urban design and heritage considerations.

Timing

The project is already underway and improvements will be done in stages across different precincts to minimise disruption. The waterfront will remain open for the duration of the upgrades with temporary fencing in place in some areas, and will be replaced with permanent solutions as work progresses.

The overall project has an estimated completion date of 2027. Regular updates on the project's progress will be provided on our Let's Talk consultation page. If you would like to share a brief comment on this project you can do so on that page.

Waterfront safety improvements | Let's Talk