Ahi Pātiki Pathway

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Connecting Waihī Beach and Athenree

UPDATE: 27 August 2026

Resource consent granted

Following public notification of the resource consent applications, the community had the opportunity to make submissions on the proposed pathway. A hearing was subsequently held to consider the application and matters raised through the submission process.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council granted resource consent on 14 August 2026, marking an important milestone for the project, and allowing the project to progress into the next stage of planning and design.

This next stage will focus on developing the preliminary design in accordance with the consent conditions. This will include undertaking a risk assessment, considering construction materials and methodology, preparing preliminary cost estimates and confirming the funding required to deliver the pathway.

This work will help determine how the pathway can best be constructed and provide a clearer understanding of the project’s costs and requirements as Council works towards securing funding and progressing the project to construction.

Background of the project

The idea for the Ahi Pātiki Pathway, connecting Waihī Beach and Athenree, has been around for several years, with the community first asked for feedback on the proposed route in 2021. Feedback was overwhelmingly supportive, and the pathway continues to be identified as a priority through planning documents including the Waihī Beach Community Plan and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Land Transport Plan.

It also forms part of the long-term Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycleway Project in Council’s Walking and Cycling Action Plan.

In April and May 2025, Council sought further community feedback on the draft concept plan for the proposed shared pathway. The plan included a 3m-wide, 355m-long boardwalk across the Waiau Estuary, connecting Waihī Beach near Island View with Dr North Memorial Reserve and Pohutukawa Drive in Athenree.

Of the 277 submissions received, 70 percent supported the concept plan, with other feedback providing suggestions for improvements.

Following this strong community support, Councillors approved the preparation and lodgement of resource consent applications in June 2025. Applications were lodged with Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council on 19 September 2025, with Bay of Plenty Regional Council coordinating the consent process.

The application was publicly notified in January 2026, with submissions open until 23 March 2026.


The significance of the name - Ahi Pātiki

The name Ahi Pātiki has been gifted to the pathway by mana whenua – Te Whānau a Tauwhao. It reflects the historical and spiritual connection to the pātiki (flounder). This links back to Ngāi Te Rangi rangatira (chief) Hōri Tūpaea, who named the area after his favourite kai (food).

Reon Tuanau of Ōtāwhiwhi Marae explains the significance of the name in the video above.


Connecting Waihī Beach and Athenree

UPDATE: 27 August 2026

Resource consent granted

Following public notification of the resource consent applications, the community had the opportunity to make submissions on the proposed pathway. A hearing was subsequently held to consider the application and matters raised through the submission process.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council granted resource consent on 14 August 2026, marking an important milestone for the project, and allowing the project to progress into the next stage of planning and design.

This next stage will focus on developing the preliminary design in accordance with the consent conditions. This will include undertaking a risk assessment, considering construction materials and methodology, preparing preliminary cost estimates and confirming the funding required to deliver the pathway.

This work will help determine how the pathway can best be constructed and provide a clearer understanding of the project’s costs and requirements as Council works towards securing funding and progressing the project to construction.

Background of the project

The idea for the Ahi Pātiki Pathway, connecting Waihī Beach and Athenree, has been around for several years, with the community first asked for feedback on the proposed route in 2021. Feedback was overwhelmingly supportive, and the pathway continues to be identified as a priority through planning documents including the Waihī Beach Community Plan and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Land Transport Plan.

It also forms part of the long-term Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycleway Project in Council’s Walking and Cycling Action Plan.

In April and May 2025, Council sought further community feedback on the draft concept plan for the proposed shared pathway. The plan included a 3m-wide, 355m-long boardwalk across the Waiau Estuary, connecting Waihī Beach near Island View with Dr North Memorial Reserve and Pohutukawa Drive in Athenree.

Of the 277 submissions received, 70 percent supported the concept plan, with other feedback providing suggestions for improvements.

Following this strong community support, Councillors approved the preparation and lodgement of resource consent applications in June 2025. Applications were lodged with Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council on 19 September 2025, with Bay of Plenty Regional Council coordinating the consent process.

The application was publicly notified in January 2026, with submissions open until 23 March 2026.


The significance of the name - Ahi Pātiki

The name Ahi Pātiki has been gifted to the pathway by mana whenua – Te Whānau a Tauwhao. It reflects the historical and spiritual connection to the pātiki (flounder). This links back to Ngāi Te Rangi rangatira (chief) Hōri Tūpaea, who named the area after his favourite kai (food).

Reon Tuanau of Ōtāwhiwhi Marae explains the significance of the name in the video above.