The Golden Mile, Wellington’s main retail and commercial strip, runs from the Parliament end of Lambton Quay, along Willis and Manners Streets, to the entertainment hub of Courtenay Place. In May 2025 we started revitalising Courtenay Place as part of the Golden Mile upgrade, part of the $116 million project, jointly funded by Council and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. This project also includes essential infrastructure upgrades like installing new pipes, replacing slippery pavements, and enhancing the road for smoother traffic flow. An additional budget of up to $23m has been earmarked for upgrading pipes as work above ground progresses.
Over time, we’ll improve traffic flow and bus reliability, create wider footpaths and dedicated bike lanes, add more public seating and outdoor dining areas, include cultural design elements developed in partnership with mana whenua, and increase native planting. Revitalising the central city will mean disruption in the short-term, but in the long-term, residents, businesses and tourists will benefit from better infrastructure, increased numbers of visitors, and world-class amenities.
Find out more about the construction changes taking place in the coming months...
26 August: Check out this month's e-news
If you've been past the Courtenay worksite lately, you'd have seen the progress we're making above and below ground. Heavy rain during July required some quick rethinking of timing and activities, as did unearthing some old tram tracks. But we're tracking well and all below-ground mahi is now completed. We’ve installed underground utility ducting for electricity and communications cables, and signal connections. Signal poles and light pole foundations are also now in place. New crossings and bike lanes are taking shape, with kerbing in place and pavers being laid. The kōwhai have been returned to the site and more planting will follow soon. We expect this stage of the project to be completed by late September, then we'll shift across Kent Terrace to begin upgrades to the footpath outside the Embassy Theatre and Deluxe Café.
14 August: Plans for next phase of Golden Mile shared
Details about the next phase of work on Courtenay Place have been outlined in an update on how the Golden Mile upgrade will progress once current construction is completed later this year. Wellington City Council’s transport and infrastructure manager, Brad Singh, briefed Mayor Whanau and councillors on the next steps of the $116 million Golden Mile upgrade, ahead of more construction starting early in the new year.
All going to plan, the second phase of construction is scheduled to start early next year*. Long-term, this will provide wider footpaths, a separated bike lane, more outdoor areas, cultural design elements and better, bigger bus shelters. Also central to this upgrade is repairing or replacing some critical waste and stormwater pipes, getting rid of slippery paving and improving lighting and landscaping.
Details are yet to be finalised, but ‘preparation’ work is likely to start on the intersection near Hannah Playhouse and will include corner realignment, removal of pedestrian islands and demolition of the centre island median strip on Courtenay Place. This mahi is expected to take about 4-6 months*.
Once main works on Courtenay Place gets underway, access will be limited. Courtenay Place will operate as a one-way road, from west (Taranaki Street) to east (Embassy Theatre) and between 7am and 7pm the route will only allow buses and authorised vehicles (emergency services, service vehicles and mobility card holders). Pedestrians will be able to access the area at all times.
During construction, buses heading east to west will take a detour onto Cambridge Terrace, left onto Wakefield Street, left onto Taranaki Street then right to return to Manners Street.
Construction can cause disruptions for all users of the area so we’re taking steps to minimise delays, dust and noise. We’ve also we’ve partnered with WellingtonNZ to provide practical support for local businesses that may be impacted by construction.
Once final sealing of the new road is completed in early 2029*, Courtenay Place will return to two lanes – one in each direction – with a separate two-way bike lane, wider footpaths and more outdoor areas. Time and access restrictions will continue between 7am and 7pm, to support public and active transport.
*Dates are indicative only – subject to change.
6 June: Check out progress on the Courtenay Place intersection
Though the weather has caused some challenges, construction is on schedule. The cycleway diversion is in place, the right-hand turn into Majoribanks Street is temporarily closed so new kerbing can be installed and healthy kōwhai are being relocated while work is underway. Most of the mahi is being done during the day (between 7am and 5pm, Mondays to Saturdays). When necessary, nightshift work will be done to minimise disruption to travel and businesses (between 8pm and 6am, Sundays to Thursdays).
16 May: Work underway, changes to right-hand turn into Majoribanks Street
The right-hand turn bay from Cambridge Terrace into Majoribanks Street will be closed for around four months while construction on the new, improved centre island is underway. You will be able to turn left into Majoribanks Street from Kent Terrace and access Mount Victoria via all other normal access points such as Elizabeth Street and Pirie Street. The street itself will NOT be closed.
A sign-posted detour via Wakefield Street, Tory Street and Cable Street through to Kent Terrace will be in place while construction is underway. Note the work underway on Wakefield Street near New World is a separate project being done by Wellington Water.
2 May 2025: Groundbreaking work set to start on Golden Mile
Work to revitalise Courtenay Place as part of the Golden Mile upgrade started on Sunday 4 May, with improvements to the Kent/Cambridge Terrace intersection. Redevelopment includes the construction of new pedestrian and bike crossings and improved footpaths. This part of the project is expected to take around eight months to minimise traffic disruption in the area.
To keep up to date about this project, sign-up to our regular newsletter, or if you have any questions, email courtenay@wcc.govt.nz.
Wellington’s unique geography, compact city centre, and small number of road networks means we face unique transport challenges. We’ve designed a solution which supports new and improved ways of getting around, thriving hospitality and retail areas, and more people-centred public spaces.
Many of Wellington’s infrastructure assets such as water pipes, roads and footpaths are in need of repair and replacement. We’re working closely with our utilities operators to use the opportunity to improve these assets as we do construction work on the Golden Mile, which will mean less disruption and less cost for ratepayers in the long run.
The upgrade of Courtenay Place will create a vibrant space for all to enjoy. The design offers a strong cultural narrative of the area, informed by mana whenua who have been involved throughout the design process. The stories of the area will be told through paving designs and other elements.
Learn about how we're improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and people spending time on Courtenay Place.
Explore what the changes mean for everyone moving in and around Courtenay Place - from pedestrians and cyclists, through to public transport, private vehicles, delivery drivers and authorised vehicles.
Learn about how we're collaborating with Wellington Water to renew and reinforce the pipes underground during Courtenay Place construction.
Learn about what these changes will mean for businesses in the area.
Learn about how we've engaged with mana whenua to develop a cultural narrative and designs.
Learn how construction is expected to roll out, and how you can still access businesses in the area.
Read all the detailed plans, engagement summaries, research and more.