New Zealand Walk: Commonwealth Walkway an as set for the Capital

The final route for Wellington’s Commonwealth Walkway was announced, following a ceremonial unveiling of a plaque by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Pukeahu National War Memorial when they visied New Zealand in November.

The Commonwealth Walkway connects 32 significant monuments, parks, buildings and historic places along a 9km loop in the Capital. The final route included community suggestions on points of interest to add to the walkway.

“We received a number of really great suggestions which showcase points of interest across the Wellington CBD,” says Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown. “The hard part was choosing the final 32.”

Mayor Wade-Brown says the Commonwealth Walkways will be promoted across The Commonwealth with the aim of inspiring young people to walk for their physical and mental wellbeing.

“The Commonwealth Walkway will link many of the Capital’s sites of cultural and historical importance, and promote our city’s heritage,” she says. “As well as being the Coolest Little Capital in the world we’re also one of the most compact and walkable, so Wellington is a perfect location for this walkway. It will also provide an interesting way for tourists to discover our city.”

Wellington coordinator for Living Streets Aotearoa, Ellen Blake, has welcomed the Commonwealth Walkway as a good idea that will encourage people to go walking.

“The walkway is a great asset for the city and will encourage people to visit points of interest highlighted along the way,” she says.

The Commonwealth Walkway concept has been developed by the London-based Outdoor Trust which has permission from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to use her personal EIIR cypher to mark the walkway adjacent to agreed points of interest.

The former Governor-General His Excellency Sir Anand Satyanand formally unveiled the first marker at the Wai-Titi Landing at the front of Parliament grounds with Mayor Wade-Brown as part of the Capital’s 150th Birthday celebrations in July of this year.

Further information about the Commonwealth Walkway project and a map can be found here:

http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/ enjoy-the-outdoors/walks-and-walkways/ commonwealth-walkway.

Above: Their Royal Highnesses unveiled a plaque bearing the cypher for the Commonwealth Walkway during their official visit to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Mayor WadeBrown is to the right.