Fulton Hogan recently completed the NZ$28M Onehunga Foreshore project in Auckland, the largest foreshore reclamation project of its kind in New Zealand.

Fulton Hogan Construction Manager, Chris Marshall, says “The project aims to reconnect Onehunga, which was separated from the sea by the SH20 in the 1970s, and recapture the biodiversity and recreational opportunities that were displaced when the motorway was built in the 70s.”

The new park, called Taumanu (meaning reclamation), was officially opened on 14 November by Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga Government Minister and Local Board Chairman Simon Randal with a blessing by local Iwi and a civic ceremony. Over 200 local residents attended the opening, enjoying the new park and its facilities, and various activities throughout the day, including a hovercraft display and power boat races just offshore.

The project took three years to complete. The Onehunga Foreshore Project Team rejuvenated the area by creating 6.8ha of parkland, with new beaches, a boat ramp and turning bay, and a pedestrian/cyclist bridge linking the foreshore to Onehunga Bay Reserve.

“Throughout the project, we used 334,000 cubic metres of fill, rock, sand and topsoil on the project; and also planted over 30,000 plants and 350 trees, including Pohutukawa, Cabbage trees, Totara and Kowhai, which will provide a great habitat for native birds that are found in the foreshore.” said Chris.