Feedback sought on final designs for Cass Street and The Strand

The design builds on the council’s decision in July 2025 to have The Strand become a Shared Zone from the middle of Cass Street to the northern boat ramp, and to Pitt Street at the southern end. The Strand, from Cass Street to Pitt Street will also restrict vehicle use to authorised vehicles only

The latest plans show how these decisions will be put into practice. Key features include:

• wider car parks to improve usability, with two spaces converted to dedicated motorcycle parking
• clearer loading, refuelling and drop-off zone
• a new mobility parking space on The Strand and improved access to the existing one
• traffic-calming measures to provide safer access to Cass Street
• signage highlighting limited parking availability to discourage campervan entry
• visual and physical barriers (bollards) between the road and footpath to improve pedestrian safety.

These features have been developed with the area's heritage character in mind, including the use of heritage colours and minimal signage.

Group Manager for Policy and Planning, Kate Icheva, encourages residents and businesses to attend upcoming drop-in sessions, ask questions, and share their views.

"We want to hear whether there are proposed elements people feel strongly about, what they think will work well, and what may need improvement.

We’d also like to thank the Working Group for its work on behalf of the community to develop a plan that supports a safer Cass Street and The Strand. Their input has been invaluable in helping shape the near-final design.”

Deb Rewiri (Ngaare Raumati, Ngati Manu and Ngati Hine) from the Working Group, acknowledged the collective effort behind the project and encouraged the community to continue sharing their views.

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takatini. The combined efforts of the many helps to get the project done.”

Members of the public can view the plans, ask questions, and provide feedback at upcoming drop-in sessions:

• Wednesday 24 June – Kororāreka Marae, 10am to 12pm (guided walk at 11am)
• Thursday 25 June – Kororāreka-Russell RSA, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
• Saturday 27 June – Kororāreka-Russell RSA, 12pm to 2.30pm (guided walk at 1pm)

Feedback can also be provided through an online survey on the councils consultation webpage, where further information on this consultation is available to view.

You can also find information on the project so far, such as working group meeting minutes and members at the Pedestrianisation of The Strand project page.

Feedback is open until Sunday 12 July.