Progress Update - January 2026
Te Kanohi o Te Manu (The Eye of the Bird) – the 10m high corten steel sculpture of a pied shag, settling into her nest at Harrier Point Park watching over our project.
Kia ora 2026 — A Big Year Ahead for Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai
Posted: 13 January 2026
TL;DR:
Construction is on track — we’re aiming to finish in April/May 2026
We’re partnering with a top NZ restauranteur (details coming soon!)
Huge thanks to our Founding Families Board for their early support
Our Hobsonville Point wharf was featured in the NZ Herald as a top summer spot!
Happy New Year, Hobsonville Point!
We hope you've had a chance to enjoy the sunshine and spend some time down by the water with whānau and friends. As we settle into 2026, we wanted to share a few exciting updates from Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai – the Upper Waitematā Marine Centre.
Construction update 🛠️
After years of dreaming, planning, and building… we’re nearly there. We’re on track to complete construction in April or May this year, and we couldn’t be more excited.
The Centre is starting to take shape in a really special way, a place built for the community, by the community. Somewhere people of all ages can connect with the water, learn new skills, and enjoy everything our beautiful harbour has to offer.
Something delicious is coming... 🍴
We can’t say too much just yet, but we’re working on a partnership with one of Aotearoa’s top restauranteurs to bring something fresh and exciting to Catalina Bay. This will be more than just a place to eat — it’ll be a reason to linger, to gather, and to enjoy being by the water. Watch this space.
Shout out to our Founding Families 🙌
None of this would be possible without our Founding Families Board… a group of local families who got behind this project from day one. Their support and belief in what we’re building has helped carry us to this point, and we’re so grateful for their leadership and generosity.
Joining the founding families. DONATE HERE: https://www.uwmc.org.nz/founders-pledge
In the news! 🌞📰
If you saw the New Zealand Herald this week, you might’ve spotted a familiar view… our Hobsonville Point wharf was featured as one of the best spots to enjoy summer in Auckland!
It’s a proud moment for our community, and a great reminder of how lucky we are to live in a place where the water is always close.
So, here we go… 2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to opening day, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to the water soon.
Thanks for being part of this journey with us.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai / UWMC Team
We’re starting to see the physical shape of the Upper Waitematā Marine Centre coming into view, with visible changes now happening on site. The project continues to make steady progress, and a few key developments are worth noting this month.
