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.

Wellington Electricity's involvement

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.

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

Timing: Completed

This section involved:

• We dug trenches, removed cables, then reinstated the surface once the cables were removed along Connolly Street, Melling Link Road and Rutherford Street.

Section 2: Marsden Street to Queens Drive

Timing: Completed

This section involved:

• We dug trenches, installed new cable ducts, and reinstated the road surfaces along lower Marsden Street along to lower Queens Drive.

Section 3: Dudley Street to Queens Drive

Section 3 commenced in March 2026 and work is ongoing.

Weekly updates are available on Facebook at Te Awa Kairangi - Delivering RiverLink

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 October.

Impacted roads include: Connolly Street, Rutherford Street, Dudley Street, Andrews Avenue, Daly Street, Queens Street roundabout (southern end of the city), Marsden Street.

Please see an indicative map of the work route below.