Improving safety and accessibility on Kahikatea Flat Road, Waitoki
Engagement Outcome
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the planned footpath along Kahikatea Flat Road.
Community engagement for this project has been completed. After carefully considering the insights we received, we are proceeding with changes to the original design. We will work on updating the design with new changes including the footpath location, parking changes and additional crossing.
We received a range of views from the community which we've summarised and responded to below:
- Concern about reducing parking availability for the customers of nearby shops
Our response
Our investigation showed that the current setup consists of informal parking with no designated pedestrian walkway, which poses safety risks for both pedestrians and drivers. Formalizing the parking area is essential, as clearly marked spaces help reduce collisions and confusion, optimize the layout to accommodate the maximum number of vehicles, and ensure smooth entry and exit without obstructing traffic lanes. Based on the available space, the area can accommodate up to 10 parking spaces.
- Request for angle parking instead of parallel parking
Our response
Parallel parking was initially considered because it requires less road width, which is important in areas with limited space and helps avoid impacts on the nearby swale. The original plan included a total of 10 parallel parking bays. However, following the insights received from the community, the Rodney Local Board has requested an investigation into changing the design to angled parking instead. This review is currently in progress.
- Request additional parking spaces adjacent to the gas station to accommodate overflow when café parking is full
- Requests parking be installed across the road from the school instead of the planned location
- Request for additional parking spaces further along the road between house numbers 970 and 966 on the left-hand side
- Suggests funds be used for a footpath to access the school from the Kaukapakapa side, allowing children to walk from Drinnan and Rapson access roads
Our response
The Rodney Local Board has asked Auckland Transport to explore options for a footpath and parking opposite the cafés and restaurants. Because this area is outside the current scope of works, we’re unable to include it in this project. However, any additional recommendations can be discussed directly with the Rodney Local Board, as they are the decision-making authority.
- Suggestion to paint “No Parking” lines after the bus stop up to the shared driveway to prevent visibility issues for residents exiting the driveway
Our response
Vehicles are required to park a minimum of 1 metre from any driveway. If a vehicle is parked within this distance, you may report it to Auckland Transport. Installing broken yellow lines at every driveway is not feasible, as it would remove valuable on‑street parking for residents and businesses. Our assessments show that the current sight visibility from these driveways is adequate.
- Suggests to install a footpath up Forestry Road, as many school children walk there and the raised road has no safe verge from the bridge to Horseshoe Bush corner
- Request to make the footpath near the gas station more visible and safe
- Request to look after faded pedestrian markings near the gas station
- Request to install a concrete path or stairs at the start of Shepherds Walking Track perpendicular to the footpath/Install street lighting on the footpath for improved safety
- Request for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of kahikatea Flat Road and Quarry Road
Our response
We have forwarded these requests to the appropriate team to investigate further.
- Request to install a protective barrier around the corner of the gas station to improve pedestrian safety
Our response
A protective barrier can’t be installed on a corner because it would make the footpath too narrow and could get in the way of people walking through.
- Suggestion to install a dedicated pedestrian crossing at the existing island to provide safe passage for people parking in the new car parks (often visiting the café or community hall)
- Request for a crossing connecting two bus stops and another crossing at the school
- Suggests to install a pedestrian crossing to improve safety for people walking
Our response
There is an existing crossing island near the bus stop. The Rodney Local Board has asked AT to investigate upgrading this to a raised crossing, which will be included in the redesign.
What happens next
- Once the changes are finalised, we will share the updated design with the community.
- We will notify local residents and businesses when the new construction dates are confirmed
Engagement Finished
The engagement for this project has finished. We will inform the community about the engagement outcome soon.
About the project
We’re improving footpath safety on Kahikatea Flat Road in Waitoki to provide safe, convenient and well-connected walking options in your community.
Thanks to the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate programme, this will support building more footpaths in local communities like yours to make it safer and easier for people to walk around. We want to provide you with safe, convenient, and well-connected walking options locally.
The changes we’re making
- Install a new footpath on the northern side of Kahikatea Flat Road. This connects the footpath from the bus stop all the way to where the existing footpath ends near the bend of the intersection to Waitoki Road.
- Install 10 new parking spaces next to the new footpath that is currently being used as informal parking by residents and visitors in the area.
- Paint no stopping (broken yellow lines) near the bend of Kahikatea Flat Road to give better visibility and ensure motorists have a safe unblocked view when travelling in and out of the intersection.
- Paint additional no stopping (broken yellow lines) before the existing bus stop outside 978 kahikatea Flat Road to serve as lead in marking that will guide buses smoothly into the stop and make it easier to exit safely.
Benefits to your community
- Footpaths make it safer for the community by separating motorists and traffic from people on foot. Widening the footpath gives more room for people to wait to cross
- Well-maintained footpaths are safer for people who walk and ride their bikes and scooters, reducing the risk of being hurt or injured.
- More footpaths make it easier and stress-free for the community to move around the neighbourhood, offering better connections to schools, parks, public transport and other local amenities.
- Walking and cycling are good for the environment and good for your health. It helps reduce reliance on cars for local trips, decreasing traffic congestion and reducing our carbon emissions.
What happens next
We will install these changes in February 2026.
Any change to the plan will be updated on this page.
We will be in touch with the local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.
How to contact us
If you'd like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz
