Mangere Bridge & Foreshore Walk

The downloadable map includes:

• All 20 step-by-step walking directions
• Detailed route map
• Facility locations (toilets, parking, refreshments)
• Complete history of the Manukau Harbour crossing
• Transport options from Onehunga

Walk Highlights

• The New Walking & Cycling Bridge: Opened in 2022 at a cost of $45 million, this bridge is purpose-built for walking, cycling, fishing, boat launching and community use. Near the Onehunga end you’ll find a detailed information display area with historic items about the harbour crossing.
• The Foreshore Path: After crossing under the motorway, you’ll walk along a path through one of Auckland’s most complex reclamation areas. The natural shoreline once ran along what is now Nielson Street. From the 1900s to the 1940s this was one of Auckland’s municipal dumping grounds, with rubbish and ash tipped directly onto the mudflats.
• Waikaraka Cemetery: Established in 1890 when Onehunga was booming as a port town and needed a formal burial ground separate from churchyards. The cemetery is peaceful and well-maintained, with mature trees providing shade throughout.
• The WWI Memorial: The large white World War One memorial is visible from across the gravestones as you walk through the cemetery. It’s an impressive structure with a central obelisk and soldier statues.
• Waikaraka Park: The walk takes you through this park bordered by Nielson Street and Captain Springs Road. On the north-western side is the Stockcar and Speedway Track.

Getting There

• By car: Head to Mangere Bridge village and follow Coronation Road down towards the harbour. Turn left into Kiwi Parade (the last road before the harbour edge), then right almost immediately into the carpark under the pohutukawa trees.
• By bus to Mangere Bridge: Take the 309 bus to Mangere Bridge shops. Walk to the harbour end of Coronation Road to reach the start.
• By bus to Onehunga: Take the 30 bus to Onehunga Bus depot by the library. Walk to Onehunga Mall (the main street) and turn right, staying on the right side. Walk down and cross Princes and Neilson Streets. About 300 metres after crossing Neilson Street there’s a no-exit street running to the right off The Mall at a 60-degree angle. Follow this street to its end and in the left corner is the entrance to the Bridge Path.
• By train: Take a train to Onehunga Railway Station (the end of the line). Exit into Onehunga Mall and turn right. Cross to the other side at the Princes Street roundabout. Turn left and proceed down The Mall. Cross Nielson Street and follow the bus directions above.

The History of the Harbour Crossing

Before European arrival, a naturally formed basalt rock causeway linked Onehunga and Mangere. At low tide, local iwi could walk across except for a shallow tidal stream a few metres wide. It was the first known crossing, pre-dating European engineering. In 1858 a large section was blown up to allow more shipping through.

The first timber bridge lasted from 1875 to 1914. It was a narrow single-lane bridge often used by horses and stock, and was unsafe for pedestrians. It reflected the growing need for a reliable land route between the two sides of the harbour.

A ferro-concrete bridge replaced it from 1915 to 2018, serving pedestrians, cyclists and light vehicles. The motorway bridges were built between 1983 and 2010 and today form the modern highway crossing as a primary transport artery.

The new walking and riding bridge opened in 2022 at a cost of $45 million. It’s purpose-built for walking, cycling, fishing, boat launching and community use. If you pause at the information display area near the Onehunga end, take a moment to look back at where you’ve come from.

Who It’s For

This is a great walk for anyone interested in Auckland’s industrial and transport history. The combination of the modern bridge, reclaimed foreshore, historic cemetery and urban park makes for an interesting and varied route.

The walk is mostly flat and easy going, suitable for families and people of most fitness levels. The path surfaces are good throughout.

Dog walkers will enjoy this route, though dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

When to Go

This walk works well year-round. The pohutukawa trees at the start provide great shade in summer, and the cemetery section is sheltered by mature trees.

The bridge can be exposed on windy days, but the views are always good. Try to pick a day with reasonable weather to appreciate the harbour views.

Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, especially in Waikaraka Park.

Important Stuff

• Footwear: The paths are well-maintained throughout. Comfortable walking shoes are fine.
• Note about the cemetery: Waikaraka Cemetery is an active cemetery. Please be respectful when walking through.
• Waikaraka Park access: At the time of writing, work is under way to complete a new entry from the cemetery into the Waikaraka Park carpark. The route may change slightly once this is completed.
• Fish and chips: There’s a good fish shop near the start. Grab some fish and chips to enjoy at the tables and seats in the carpark under the pohutukawa trees after your walk.

My Honest Take

This isn’t the most scenic walk in Auckland, but it’s one of the most interesting. The new bridge is impressive, and learning about the history of the harbour crossing adds real depth to the experience.

The foreshore section is a bit rough around the edges, with industrial yards behind walls and vegetation on one side, but that’s part of the story. You’re walking on land that was literally built from rubbish, and glimpses of the upper harbour in its more natural state to the right provide contrast.

The cemetery was a pleasant surprise. It’s peaceful and well-maintained, and the WWI memorial is genuinely impressive. Waikaraka Park is a nice open space to stretch your legs before heading back.

The fish shop near the start is a bonus. Finishing with fish and chips under the pohutukawa trees is a pretty good way to end a walk.