Safety and accessibility upgrades are underway along Farm Street, including Marlin Street and the Leander–Farm Street alleyway.
Upgrades to be completed from late March to July 2026 include:
- widened footpaths on either side of the Arataki Bus Hub
- improved lighting and streetscape along Farm Street
- improved kerb ramps and new cycle on-ramps
- a new raised pedestrian crossing replacing the existing speed bump
- a new pedestrian crossing and shared pathway on Marlin Street.
Other improvements completed in 2025 include:
- a new pathway providing access to Bayfair Shopping Centre from Farm Street next to the bus stop
- a smoother pathway, fence repairs, new lighting, and vibrant community artwork designed and painted by Mount Maunganui Intermediate students along the Leander–Farm Street alleyway.
Together, these changes will help create a safer, more welcoming connection between Arataki Park and Bayfair Shopping Centre.
Special thanks to Resene for supplying the fence and artwork paint in the Leander–Farm Street alleyway, and to Bayfair for their contribution to the alleyway works and the re-opened pedestrian entry at the bus stop. Read more in the media release.
Traffic management
Temporary traffic management will be in place during construction. As work begins just ahead of the April school holidays, we'll initially focus on the Concord Road end of Farm Street for six weeks, working in 100 metre sections through to the pedestrian crossing outside Bayfair. This approach helps minimise disruption to traffic flow and pedestrian access to Bayfair entrances during the holiday period.
To allow the team to widen the footpath and improve lighting, a shoulder closure will be in place during these six weeks with restricted roadside parking.
In May, the team will move to the Girven Road end of Marlin Street for the second stage of improvements. This stage will take six weeks and require shoulder closures for footpath widening, traffic-lane closures, and may include some night works to complete the new pedestrian crossing.