We are delivering a more spacious, green and people-focused Wai Horotiu Queen Street Valley. The lower half of Queen Street, from Aotea Square to Shortland Street, now boasts expanded footpaths, planters filled with native foliage, and seating, creating a more vibrant street for you to enjoy. 

Part of Queen Street’s expanded footpath space is the Waihorotiu path, a shared path closest to the road for people walking, cycling or riding e-scooters. The Waihorotiu path allows shoppers, and those moving at a slower pace to have more room on the original footpath closest to the shops and be free from fast movers such as people on e-scooters.  Planters, wayfinding patterns, different paving textures and colours, define the Waihorotiu path and help to safely guide shoppers, bus users and those crossing the street.    

How to use the new Waihorotiu path  

The Waihorotiu path starts right outside Aotea Square, travels to the intersection of Queen and Wellesley Streets, before crossing to the eastern side of the street and continuing down to the intersection of Queen and Shortland Streets. 

If you’re a pedestrian  

Pedestrians have the right of way, but it is still important to keep an eye out for others and use the new crossing points if you are getting on and off the bus or crossing the road.    
  
If you’re shopping or moving slower, we recommend you use the original footpath closest to the shops.   

If you’re on wheels 

The path is bidirectional and sits between the footpath and the road which means you will need to keep your speed slow, keep left and give way to pedestrians who may be crossing to get to their bus, or to cross the road.    
  
If you want to move fast, please use the road.     
  
If you are using the Waihorotiu path and are on wheels, when you get to an intersection please wait until the pedestrian light goes green before crossing the road.  

To learn more about the wider project visit ProgressAKL/Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project

The meaning behind the path’s name – Waihorotiu path  

The multi-use path has been named ‘Waihorotiu path’ to reflect the important waterways that once carved natural pathways across the whenua (land) where the present-day city centre now stands. The name will daylight knowledge about the awa (river) that continues to flow underneath Queen Street, and to reflect the role the path has of providing extra space for people on Queen Street to ‘flow’ up and down with ease.  

The ground markings 

The ground markings signal the different uses of the path surface. Inspired by the Waihorotiu, a theme of flow and connection is adopted to add character to the path while indicating that the path is an active zone, differentiated from the pedestrian-only footpath.   

Aucklanders will see three forms of pattern language on the surface of the path that signals their different uses: 

Wavelets - attention and direction: Wavelets connect the path experience and intensify around crossing points, creating a gentle reminder for surrounding people to take caution.  

Boulders - cross-flow loading zone: Adjacent to loading zones, flowing arced shapes are reminiscent of large boulders that slow the flow of water. 

Stream - flow zone: 
Inspired by speed and swiftness, this motif indicates areas of fewer obstructions. 

Waihorotiu path FAQs

How have you made the Waihorotiu path safe for people with accessibility needs?    

• We recommend that people who move more slowly and/or have low vision, continue to use the original footpath closest to the shops.
• The new Waihorotiu path is for faster movers, which means the original footpath is a safer walking environment for those with accessibility needs.
• The permanent bus stops and bus shelters will remain in the same locations where they were prior to the start of the project and there are stone tactile directional indicators at each stop to let customers with low vision know where to get the bus. 
• The Waihorotiu path has been designed with safety in mind for those who need to cross over it to get to their bus. A strip of stone domes runs between the original footpath and the Waihorotiu path to help people with low vision to know that they are entering a new zone.  
• The Waihorotiu path includes zebra crossings in key locations where people need to cross over the path to get to their bus. On either side of these crossings are stone dome delineators to help guide those with accessibility needs safely across the path.  
• We have added additional uncovered benches near bus stops for people to rest on. 

How do cyclists enter the Waihorotiu path?  

• If cycling southbound, the Waihorotiu path connects cyclists from Shortland Street to Aotea Square. When you get to Wellesley Street intersection wait until the pedestrian light goes green before crossing to the western side of the street. The path ends at the double-tier bicycle parking facilities by Aotea Square which provides a place for people to easily store their bikes and enjoy the venues nearby. 
• If cycling northbound on Queen Street, we recommend that people on bikes access the path at Wellesley St intersection. Wait until the pedestrian light goes green before crossing the road to the eastern side of the street to enter the path and follow it down to the intersection of Queen and Shortland Streets. 

How is the Waihorotiu path connecting to other cycling facilities?   

• The Waihorotiu path has opened the connection for people cycling to and from Shortland Street to Aotea Square. The path provides an opportunity for people to cycle more safely through much of the lower half of Queen Street.  
• The new section will connect to the existing shared space on Elliott Street and Darby Street through the mid-block crossing on the Waihorotiu path.  
• The next phase of the path will be delivered next year, connecting the last section of Queen Street from Shortland Street to Customs Street with Te Komititanga. Then there is direct access to the Quay Street bi-directional cycle path on the waterfront.  
• Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are investigating some further plans to provide a cycle connection along the full length of Victoria Street. The goal is to bring all destinations in the city centre within easy reach of cycle paths connecting to the perimeter paths Te Ara Whiti, Grafton Gully, Quay Street, and Nelson Street. 

To learn more about the wider project visit ProgressAKL/Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project

Accessible education videos