Background

GHW trust members from left to right:  Ian Pike, Allan Brown, Simon Louisson, Ron Beernink, Russell Tregonning, Mary Varnham,  Allan Brown.   Missing from the photo are GHW trust members Graeme Hall (Chair) and  Celia Wade-Brown. 

The Great Harbour Way Trust

In 2008, groups interested in the concept of a continuous walking and cycling route around the Wellington /Te Whanganui-a-Tara, as originally set out by Mary Varnham combined into the Great Harbour Way Coalition. The Coalition refined the concept, sought support from various agencies and organisations that control and administer the harbour edge and environs, and  started transforming the  concept  into reality.  The Great Harbour Way Trust was established in 2012 to fully realise the vision . Since then, the trust has successfully canvased the Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, central Government and Waka Kotahi to help make the necessary improvements. Huge progress has been made in flagship sections such as Oriental and Evans Bays and Cobham Drive while work to complete other key sections between Ngauranga and Petone and Eastbourne's Eastern Bays  has been approved and is well underway.   These will  ensure the Great Harbour Way becomes a success with locals, visitors from around New Zealand and overseas visitors; similar to the Otago Rail Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail and many overseas iconic walk and cycle routes.

 

Our supporters

The Great Harbour Way Trust is supported by

Our sole aim is to develop and promote this exciting project. We welcome your ideas, information and donations of time, money and services. If you want to help, email us at info@greatharbourway.org.nz.

In memory of Alastair Smith

 Alastair Smith was a very influential member of our trust and a great advocate for this project.  His smile and astute observations won over everyone.  He wrote Everyday Cycling in Aotearoa New Zealand, published by Wellington’s Awa Press in 2012. A practical guide to taking up cycling, the book extols the virtues of riding a bicycle for both business and pleasure.  In 2017 Alastair  was honoured with an Absolutely Positively Wellington Award, recognising his years of outstanding service to the people of Wellington. 

Alastair died in 2019 after battling myeloma cancer for years.  Stuff published a wonderful "Nation loses passionate cycling advocate" article, and Cycle Action Network remembered Alastair as the "Indomitable Aro Vally Cyclist".