Xbloc at Te Ara Tupua - New Zealand
Xbloc at Te Ara Tupua
Te Ara Tupua officially opened on 16 May, welcoming cyclists and walkers to the new shared pathway. The Embassy team joined the celebrations to promote sustainable transport and tell more about Xbloc, the Dutch engineering innovation that contributed to coastal resilience.
Coastal resilience at Te Ara Tupua
The Te Ara Tupua pathway is created with a distinctive touch of Dutch engineering. The Xbloc units were invented by the Dutch company Delta Marine Consultants – part of Van Oord. These blocks were first deployed in the Netherlands at the iconic Afsluitdijk project and since then on multiple projects around the world.
At Te Ara Tupua, nearly 7,000 XblocPlus units are lining the waterfront where they are arranged like giant jigsaw pieces to provide a durable and resilient shoreline while also delivering important ecological benefits. The choice for this technology made it possible to build the revetment at a steeper slope which saved material, space and nearly 12 months construction time.
For Pieter Bakker, Commercial Manager of Xbloc, the project has been very enjoyable to work on. The cooperation with the Te Ara Tupua Alliance has been excellent from the very beginning of the project. The rugged, natural appearance of blocks used at the Te Ara Tupua shoreline stands apart from more conventional seawall designs. The pathways waterfront setting, combined with the striking Māori-inspired detailing, creates an inviting space for walking and cycling while encouraging visitors to look more closely at the story embedded in the construction itself.
Te Ripowai
The artwork and design of
the units was developed through close collaboration between
engineers and iwi design lead Len Hetet, ensuring the structures
reflected both ecological and cultural values. Hetet named the
design Te Ripowai to represent the rippling water and the concept of
guardianship for the shoreline. His message is: If we look after
the land, the water will reciprocate.
In addition, the concrete units were designed with ecological restoration in mind. Their textured surfaces mimic the natural rocky foreshore, creating an environment that encourages the growth of marine plants and sea life.
All in all, the revetment at Te Ara Tupua is an excellent example where Dutch engineering knowledge can be accustomed with local functionalities to create a remarkable and unique project.
