Whangarei Heads Road culvert and retaining wall

• Project typeTransport, safety
• Project value$3.7 million
• Project scheduleEarly July to mid-December 2026
• Contractor nameMAP Projects

We’re strengthening a slip-affected section of Whangarei Heads Road by building a new retaining wall and upgrading an existing culvert, with the addition of new footpaths, fencing and guardrails to improve pedestrian access to Whangārei Heads School. 

This work will help improve the resilience and safety of this important access route for the Whangārei Heads community. 

About the project

This area has experienced ongoing instability, with previous retaining structures showing signs of movement. The situation was worsened by heavy weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle.

To address this, we’re installing a new retaining wall designed to better manage the effects of land movement and reduce the risk of further slumping. At the same time, we’re replacing an ageing culvert to improve stormwater management and future-proof the network.

As part of the project, we’re also improving pedestrian safety and access in the area.

Retaining wall

The new retaining wall will provide essential support to stabilise the road and adjacent land.

Key features include:

• installation of 60 reinforced concrete piles (1050mm diameter)
• piles extending between 9m and 18m deep
• precast concrete panels and a concrete pile cap to tie the structure together.

These works follow detailed geotechnical investigations carried out in 2023, which identified large-scale ground movement affecting the existing retaining structures.

This is a constrained site with limited road width. Construction will involve large machinery, including a drilling rig to install the piles, while maintaining one lane of traffic at all times.

Walking and school access improvements

To support safer movement for pedestrians, particularly school students and families, we’re installing new walking infrastructure along the top of the retaining wall.

This includes:

• a new footpath along the retaining wall
• a pedestrian safety fence
• a new accessible crossing point
• new footpaths aligning with the existing footpath on the other side of the road, connecting to Whangārei Heads School.

These improvements will provide a safer and more accessible route for people travelling to and from the school and within the local community.

Culvert upgrade

Alongside the retaining wall, we’re replacing the existing cross-road culvert, which is at the end of its service life.

The upgrade includes:

• installing a new 15m-long, 1050mm diameter concrete culvert
• replacing the existing 600mm corrugated steel (“armco”) culvert
• increasing capacity to better manage stormwater flows.

The new culvert will improve drainage and help protect the road from erosion and water damage during heavy rainfall.

Environmental considerations

Some vegetation removal is required on adjacent private land to allow space for the retaining wall. This work will be carefully managed.

Traffic management and access

We understand this road is important for residents and school access.

• One lane will remain open throughout construction.
• Traffic management will prioritise safety, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times.
• Access to Whangārei Heads Primary School will be maintained at all times.
• We’ll keep the community informed as the project progresses.

Location

Intersection of Whangarei Heads Road and Whangarei Heads School Road, Whangārei Heads 0174  View Map