Watercare carried out New Zealand's biggest coastal marine restoration as part of the upgrade of the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant. During the upgrade, 500 hectares of oxidation ponds were removed, reuniting the original foreshore with the sea.
Watercare’s Coastal Walkway provides access to the Mangere Ihumatao foreshore, an area rich in cultural history, stretching seven kilometres from Ambury Park to the Otuataua Stonefields. The area is dominated by the ancient volcanoes of Mangere Mountain and Puketutu Island. Walk along restored beaches and observe some of the thousands of migratory wading birds that come to feed in the harbour.
The walk can be started from either end, at Ambury Farm Park or the Otuataua Stonefields. If seven kilometres is too long, start the walk either at Oruarangi Creek, or from Creamery Road near the treatment plant.