The future of Exhibition Drive

Exhibition Drive is a stunning walking and cycling track and if you have not walked or cycled it we recommend that you do.

Originally it was a tramway for laying pipeline that brought water from Nihotupu Dam to the city.  It was then widened to become a road.  After the construction of Scenic Drive it remained  a road to provide access to water assets and to the few houses situated on the drive.

More recently it has become a pleasant exercise area.  The terrain is relatively flat  and the views of Titirangi and the Manukau are stunning.  It terminates at the start of  the Beveridge Track which then takes you to Arataki through recovering forest.

The land is currently owned by Watercare.  As part of a reorganisation process there is a proposal that it is vested in Council ownership and added to the Regional Park.

Future West supports this.  Currently there is no protection stopping the land from being sold.  If it is added to the Regional Parkland then the level of protection is improved.

The future of the Nihotupu Filter Station, which has heritage status, needs to be decided on. Potential plans for its future include refurbishment as a cafe, bike hireage, a water supply museum or an education centre.  With budget and determination it could be made useable again and add to the vibrance of the area.

The future of the area is of course heavily linked to the success or otherwise of Watercare's application for consent to construct the Waima Treatment Plant.  The proposal is currently at mediation.  The original decision of Commissioners was by their admission finely balanced with the threat of washing Kauri Dieback through a valley with significant groves of Kauri almost causing the application to fail.  Future West opposed this application for this reason.

Exhibition Drive is another reminder of how special our area is.  Future West is determined to ensure that it continues to be a stunning walkway that we all can enjoy.