Tenders open for next phase of Kāmoanahaehae - Riverside Park

Following the completion of the plaza at Kāmoanahaehae - Riverside Park in Alexandra, actions have now been taken to move into the next stage of the project.

Public tenders to complete the viewing platform and install the mana whenua design integration are now open and will close on 6 March. Works are to be completed by 30 June 2026.

Although a ramp was included in the board’s 2018 vision, ground conditions were unknown at the time. Clearing trees and allowing the flood bank to settle has since enabled further research and ground testing, confirming that more intensive construction methods will be required than originally anticipated.

In light of the new findings, a report will be provided to Vincent Community Board in March to consider the future of the proposed ramp within the constraints of the current project budget.

Jayden Cromb, Vincent Community Board Chair, acknowledged the frustration caused by the recent pause and uncertainty around the project’s next stage.

“A great deal has changed since the board first backed this project in 2018, and while we’re just as eager as everyone else to see the ramp stage move forward, we also have a responsibility to carefully consider the overall cost and logistics,” Mr Cromb said. “We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved so far through our partnership with Rory and the trust that’s been built along the way. We’re looking forward to naming a new contractor soon and seeing this stage completed by the end of June.”

Rory McLellan, Chair of the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust, is pleased to see the project continuing to move ahead.

“It’s been fantastic to see the plaza and facilities so well used over the past year. Watching locals and visitors enjoy the space reinforces why we began this journey back in 2011,” Mr McLellan said. “As we move into the next phase we’re building on that momentum and creating a vibrant riverside hub our community can be proud of. It’s been a long road but seeing the project evolve step by step makes it all worthwhile.”

The project is a collaboration between the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust, Central Otago District Council, mana whenua via their rūnaka-governed firm Aukaha, and the local community.

For more information about the project, visit Let's Talk HERE.