4-Year-Old First Across New Boardwalks

New sections of Te Whau Pathway opened in Te Atatū South on Friday 20th March with around 200 people gathering to celebrate the major milestone for West Auckland.

But while dignitaries cut ribbons and speeches reflected on years of planning and construction, one of the biggest moments of the day belonged to four-year-old Aisea Graham — who became the first person to ride the entire length of the newly opened pathway to the Northwestern Cycleway. According to his grandfather, Kevin Graham, Aisea had been counting down the days.

“He’d been having trouble sleeping the last couple of nights because he’d been so excited for the opening,” Kevin said.

The Graham family lives overlooking the estuary and has watched the boardwalks gradually take shape from their home.

“We get a nice big panoramic view of most of the walkway, so my family have been so excited watching it all come together.”

Kevin said the family had been especially impressed with the final design.

“It would have been so easy to make something unattractive or even hideous, and they’ve done such an awesome job with the colours, the materials and the construction,” he said. “To our surprise last night, when they turned the lights on, they were a nice soft amber colour. Earthy, but still standing out from a design point of view.”

The formal proceedings began with Te Kawerau ā Maki blessing the pathway through a karakia and mihi whakatau, acknowledging the cultural significance of the awa and surrounding environment.

Ross Clow, Whau Local Board member, emceed the speeches, which featured Shane Henderson, Hon Phil Twyford, Tony Miguel (from our Trust), Steve Croft (HEB Construction), Taryn Crewe (Auckland Council Parks) and Graham Mitchell (National Infrastructure Funding and Financing). A performance by Freyberg Community School kapa haka group brought energy to the celebration before the official ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Chris Carter, Shane Henderson, Sarah Paterson-Hamlin and Kay Thomas.

Councillors Shane Henderson and Sarah Paterson-Hamlin officially opened the new boardwalk sections. Whau Local Board Chair Kay Thomas and Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair Chris Carter opened the new water access connection.

Then came the dash!

Aisea and Kevin were near the front of the crowd as people began walking and riding onto the boardwalks for the first time.

“There was about a front bunch of six,” Kevin said. “Including an electric wheelchair.”

But while others stopped to admire the lookout pods and views across the harbour, Aisea kept going.

“They got distracted along the way, gradually peeling off,” Kevin said. “So we whistled past the whole lot and eventually got right to the end.”

Aisea himself summed up the experience more simply.

“I like going to the walkway,” he said. “I like the smooth parts the most.”

Kevin says becoming the first rider wasn’t something Aisea planned — he just wanted to ride fast across the new bridge.

“He wasn’t really gunning to be first,” Kevin said. “But he ended up being first what a great family story!”

Throughout the afternoon and well into the evening, the pathway was packed with walkers, cyclists, families and their dogs experiencing the new route together for the very first time. And for one four-year-old on a little bike, opening day will probably be remembered for a very long time.