Nga Tapuwae o Toi Proposal (Design & Construct)

⁠⁠⁠Whakatāne District Council is seeking proposals from suitably capable and experienced Community-led groups or organisations to enable the reinstatement of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway, or the establishment of a suitable alternative route, between West End and Ōtarawairere Bay.

We are seeking a solution that responds appropriately to the complex geotechnical, environmental, cultural and health and safety challenges of the site, and that can be delivered and maintained without reliance on Council funding.

This Request for Proposal offers an opportunity to lead the reinstatement of a highly valued section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway, a key recreational and visitor asset for the Whakatāne District.

The Walkway has deep cultural significance. Ngā Tapuwae o Toi reflects the footsteps of Toi, an important early ancestor of local iwi, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. The route traverses the heart of what was once Toi’s domain, with Kapu‑te‑Rangi Pā — one of the oldest known pā sites in Aotearoa New Zealand. The reinstatement of the track is a key enabling step toward broader aspirations to enhance cultural storytelling, visitor experience and guardianship of this place.