Rotokauri Greenway and Minor Arterial

Maven’s Design Transforming Visions into Reality

Hamilton’s population is expected increase to 310,000 people with around 60,000 new homes needed over the next 50 years. Rotokauri is one of Hamilton’s major greenfield growth areas that will be home to more than 16,000 people. Hamilton City Council is investing in essential infrastructure to unlock the Rotokauri area for development while creating connected communities, protecting waterways and enhancing the natural environment. Learn more about Hamilton City Council’s Programme in Rotokauri at hamilton.govt.nz/Rotokauri

Maven, as the main Project Manager and Engineering Consultant, is leading the transformative Rotokauri Greenway and Minor Arterial project. Our design is not just focused on building new infrastructure, it will create a thriving, environmentally sustainable community. It reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and our vision for a future where every project is imbued with purpose.

Maven’s Traffic and Transportation Design:

• Design of a minor arterial road spanning 1.26 kilometres.
• A collector road, complete with an underpass beneath State Highway 1 to facilitate crucial roading connectivity to the wider Hamilton City area.

Both the proposed minor arterial and collector roads adhere to Austroads and Waikato’s Regional Infrastructure Technical Standards, with inputs from Hamilton City Council stakeholders and transport engineers from CKL. It demonstrates our innovative approach to enhancing connectivity within Hamilton, underpinned by sustainability and efficiency.

Maven’s Stormwater Management Corridor Design:

• A 4.7-kilometre Stormwater Management Corridor approximately 50m wide and 4m deep functioning as a greenway swale.
• 15 meticulously designed artificial wetlands.
• 13 amalgamated raingardens

The project team has established a stormwater modelling tool for the catchment, accessible for all future surrounding developments in the area. That is a significant achievement, demonstrating economic sustainability and an equitable approach to business practices.

Maven’s Wastewater and Water Supply Design:

• Wastewater drainage proposed along the entire length of the minor arterial and collector road.
• A wastewater pump station
• Water trunk mains along the entire length of the minor arterial and collector roads

Proposed wastewater pipe networks, wastewater pump stations and water trunk main are futureproofed to accommodate future developments in the wider Rotokauri South Catchment area.

Maven’s Innovative Design and Consultation

Maven’s relentless pursuit of innovation has led to remarkable achievements within this project:

• Advanced Earthwork Modelling: The advanced earthwork modelling methodologies conducted by Maven include modelling of 630,000m2 of earthworks to achieve a neutral cut to fill model and reduce the volume of material needed to be carted offsite. This not only minimise the construction travel distances, saving time and cost, but significantly reduces the subsequent carbon emissions.  
• Advanced Design Timeframe: Maven led the project team dedicating over 25,000 hours of design and investigation in just 14 months to meet ambitious timelines.
• Advanced Stormwater Management: Maven designed a stormwater treatment train solution with an innovative integrated raingarden and wetland solution, which removes 70% of total Phosphorous prior to discharge into the greenway. This exceeds the water quality requirements of the Rotokauri Integrated Catchment Management Plan 2017 (ICMP) and eliminates the need for at-source treatment providing huge savings in operational expenses for Hamilton City Council. This not only ensures compliance but also represents Maven’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
• Community Impact and Engagement: Throughout the design process Maven has consulted with iwi and three Councils (HCC, WRC and WDC) for design input and feedback to ensure the delivery of a project that meets all stakeholder’s expectations. The project team also coordinated with at least 14 landowners and adjoining developers to include master plans for the area to allow for future road networks and developable lands efficiently balancing earthworks, whilst also managing stormwater, wastewater and water.
• Project Team: The success of this project owes much to the close coordination with our clients, three Councils and Hounsell Holdings Limited, operating under a public private partnership (PPP) framework agreement and their willingness to hand over full responsibility for the design to Maven. The consultant team, including Barker Associates, Reset Urban Design, Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec, HD Geo, Ecological Solutions, CKL, and Te Miro Water, have also played a pivotal role in achieving some outstanding outcomes.

Environmental & Cultural Impact

Rotokauri means “lake of Kauri trees” and was given this name due to the large number of fallen kauri logs buried at the bottom of Lake Rotokauri. The lake held spiritual significance and provided sustenance to Maaori. The surrounding wetland swamps and forest were a cultural and practical resource to the local mana whenua, providing a variety of food, wood, flax, peat and ochre. They were a haven for native birds and a breeding ground for fish. Most of this was lost to farmland.

As part of the Project, a meandering stream 5km long and up to 3m wide will be reinstated from previously drained farmland to effectively create an eco-sanctuary, allowing recovery of taonga species within it. The design includes wood debris and pools suitably located to accommodate habitats for fish to breed. That will lay the foundations for ongoing ecosystem and species recovery across the wider region. Their re-establishment will help habitat restoration and species reintroduction, which is integral to the return of lost native species.

It is a project designed as a way of generating sustained employment and revenue, while at the same time restoring a large tract of land within Waikato-Tainui. Over time, the ongoing pest control of this site will establish a secure habitat for taonga species to live and breed. Even the culverts are designed to allow native fish passage but exclude introduced and pest species.

Ecological connectivity can be improved by creating additional habitats as corridors and/or stepping stones throughout the Waikato-Tainui region. Working closely with Council and iwi, we use conservation, pest eradication and restoration practices with a vision of the ecological restoration being a community-led social enterprise.

Maven see health and well-being opportunities resulting from seeing the Greenway through a Maaori, Tangata Whenua, and/or Mana Whenua lens. This will allow the rejuvenation of Papatuanuku (the land) and a reconnection of people with their surrounding environment.

The Bigger Picture

Through strategic planning and coordination with adjoining developers, Maven is not just designing infrastructure but is actively shaping the living environment and social framework of a whole township. The Rotokauri Greenway will become a memorable public destination within the Rotokauri suburb, promoting active modes and healthy social and cultural outcomes via biking and pedestrian paths, green spaces, viewing platforms, picnic areas, seating areas, boardwalks, bird watching areas, play areas and gathering spaces for the community. There is a particular focus on creating educational opportunities within the greenway pathways via placemaking and storytelling in partnership with iwi.

The development not only provides social benefit through housing but the emphasis on ecological restoration enhances the value of each home. Rotokauri will also have ongoing commercial viability as an employment hub. This project transcends the traditional scope of urban development and the traditional role of a civil engineering practice, promising a vibrant, sustainable community for the residents for years to come.

Design with Maven as we continue to inspire communities, satisfy public demands, and transform visions into realities.