The Challenge:

Melling, a suburb of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai–Lower Hutt, required crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, local roads and the State Highway 2, Melling Interchange, as well as urban revitalisation of the city centre.

The Outcome:

RiverLink is a $400M capital project undertaken as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi – a partnership between Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and mana whenua Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika.

The scope of works includes replacing the Melling bridge, a new grade separated SH2 interchange and local road realignment, as well as a relocated Melling railway station with a new park and ride facility.

Final resource consents were granted, and Notices of Requirement confirmed, in November 2022.  In April 2023, the RiverLink resource consent process was awarded the New Zealand Planning Institute’s Best Practice Award for Integrated Planning and Investigations.

Our Involvement:

Resolve Group developed the commercial case (as part of the project business case prepared by Stantec) assessing procurement options for project delivery. The work expanded to include advice to GWRC on joint project governance options, and providing guidance to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on procurement strategies and plans.