A low-speed cycle path along Lambton Quay passes over the Kumutoto Stream planted with kōwhai and lush native plantings

Golden Mile

Reactivating Wellington’s city centre with enhanced movement networks and people-focused streets

The low-speed cycle path passes along Lambton Quay alongside a Ngā Ūranga, a place for resting, performance and social interaction

Improving transport options

A vibrant city centre nestled between steep hills and a wide harbour, Wellington is compact and walkable but its roading networks are congested with private vehicles, disrupting the fast-growing bus patronage and cyclists, especially during peak hours. Originally part of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme, the project includes infrastructure upgrades aimed at decarbonising the transport network and improving public transport efficiency over the next decade. Golden Mile re-envisions the narrowed carriageway as an efficient bus-only corridor and the pavements as vibrant green spaces that foster social interaction. This 2.6km stretch will feature lively shopfronts and high-volume bus stops. New, safe cycle paths will also be introduced to connect people with their city centre destinations.

Reconnecting people with nature and Wellington’s bicultural heritage

The project seeks to transform the Golden Mile into a green pedestrian link that not only enhances mobility but also serves as a bird flyway through the city centre. With regenerative goals at its heart, the project also aims to support local businesses through creation of connections to the waterfront, arts, entertainment, and cultural precincts. Jasmax and the Future Group consortium are collaborating with Local Collective to deliver streetscape design, focusing on widening pavements, new street furniture, extensive native plantings, and integrated bus shelters in a co-design partnership with mana whenua artist Len Hetet. The result of this collaboration will be the integration of Mana Whenua values and narratives into the fabric of the city.

Bespoke bus shelters provide the comfort and information required for a high frequency bus service

The cycle path ,shaded by street trees, passes a large timber Ngā Uranga outside the St James Theatre on Courtenay Place

The Courtenay Place bar area lit with specialty lights to animate at night

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Project Details

Client

Wellington City Council

Sector

Public Realm, Urban

Location

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Discipline

Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Architecture

Status

Ongoing

Size

2.6km-long streetscape

Design Collaborators

Jasmax is part of the multi-disciplinary Futuregroup Consortium, made up of Stantec, Local Collective, WSP, Aurecon, Boffa Miskell and Mana Whenua artist Len Hetet from Baked Design