We're relocating cables and substations to make room for a new bridge, stop banks, and shared paths as part of the Te Awa Kairangi project.
About the project
Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi is a transformational project for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt. It includes:
- Crucial flood protection and river restoration work
- Improvements to public transport, walking & cycling routes, local roads and the SH2 Melling Interchange
- Urban revitalisation of the Lower Hutt city centre and a new pedestrian bridge over the river
Te Awa Kairangi is a partnership between iwi Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Check out the official project website for more information at teawakairangi.co.nz.
To enable these works, Wellington Electricity has been requested to relocate substations and underground electricity cables currently within the construction zone. This ensures that the electricity network remains safe and reliable while the flood protection upgrades take place. Since November 2025 this has meant major works in Lower Hutt.
At this stage we expect the works to be completed by November 2026. Weekly updates are available on Facebook at Te Awa Kairangi - Delivering RiverLink
Important note about timing and distances
All timings, work locations, and distances provided below are indicative only. They may change due to weather conditions or other factors that can arise during underground excavation.
We’ll update this page regularly to keep you informed. For the most current information, please check back often.
Typical hours of work:
- Day works: 7:30am – 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday
- Night works: 7:00pm – 5:00am, Monday to Saturday (only in some industrial areas)
- No work on Sundays or public holidays
Traffic management and access:
- At least one lane will remain open where possible
- Access to businesses, homes, and riverside pathways will be maintained
- Lane closures and stop/go operations will be used.
Where we'll be working
Our involvement will be delivered in three sections to minimise disruption, keep access open wherever possible, and complete the project as quickly and safely as we can. Each section will involve trenching, cable removal or installation, and reinstatement of surfaces.
Please see a map below of the three sections and the routes they take.
Key:
Section 1: Connolly Street to Dudley Street - COMPLETED
Section 2: Marsden Street to Queens Drive - COMPLETED
Section 3: Dudley Street to Queens Drive - Ongoing
As work progresses along the route, our crews will notify adjacent businesses and residents before work starts in their area. The work is expected to be completed by early to mid November. Crews are working on the joint bays in stages, and moving back and forth between the bays as each stage is completed.
Here's how it works.
- Excavate each joint bay, and cut open the ducts.
- Move on to open the next pit in the sequence and repeat.
- Return to clean the ducts and haul the cables through.
- Join the cables together once they’ve been hauled.
- Fill in the joint bay and fully repair all surrounding footpath and road surfaces.
Because of this staged approach, there are times when a joint bay is opened but not actively worked on. In these circumstances, an open joint bay left unattended is securely closed off with site fencing with traffic management plans in place until work can be completed and the site fully reinstated. Occasionally, there may be delays or work may need to be rescheduled due to other factors that can arise during underground excavation.
Please see an indicative map of the work route below.
We* need to relocate underground power cables to make room for major improvements being delivered through Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi. This includes flood protection, transport upgrades, a new Melling Interchange, shared pathways and a new pedestrian bridge.
Crews have completed trenching work, and have dug a series of joint bays at points along the route so they can haul and connect new electricity cables.
Once work began, crews encountered complex underground conditions and adverse weather which impacted progress on certain parts of the route.
Yes. Access will be maintained wherever possible, and crews will work directly with property owners where special arrangements are needed.
The duration varies by location and complexity. At this stage we expect the works to be completed by November 2026.
Most of the work can be completed without outages. If an outage is required, we* will notify affected customers directly with advance notice.
Email: [email protected] and include your preferred contact method and/or best time to call. We will be in touch.
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