The He Ara Kotahi Pathway is the Palmerston North shared-use walking and cycling loop along the Manawatu River, linking the central city with the Massey University south bank via the dedicated He Ara Kotahi pedestrian and cycle bridge. The name means ‘a pathway uniting us all’ in Maori.
The pathway opened in 2018 and has become one of PN’s most-used recreation assets. The full loop is around 4 km, comfortably walkable in an hour or rideable in 20 minutes. The bridge is the city’s first dedicated pedestrian and cycle river crossing, and a defining piece of central PN infrastructure.
Practical Information
| Length | About 4 km full loop including the bridge |
| Time | 1 hour walking, 20 minutes cycling at comfortable pace |
| Difficulty | Flat, sealed throughout; suitable for prams, wheelchairs, walkers, runners, cyclists |
| Start points | Victoria Esplanade, He Ara Kotahi Lane, Massey University south bank |
| Surface | Sealed shared pathway, well-maintained |
| Best for | Walkers, runners, cyclists, families, prams, wheelchair users |
About He Ara Kotahi
The He Ara Kotahi Pathway and bridge opened in October 2018 as a joint Palmerston North City Council and Massey University project. The name He Ara Kotahi means ‘a pathway uniting us all’ in Maori, reflecting the connection between the central city and the Massey University south-bank campus.
The bridge itself is a 195-metre cable-stayed pedestrian and cycle structure crossing the Manawatu River. The bridge’s distinctive cable-stayed design has become a defining piece of PN infrastructure, visible from much of the central city skyline.
The pathway loop combines the bridge with the existing Manawatu River walkway sections on the north bank (Victoria Esplanade end) and the south bank (Massey University end). The full loop is around 4 km, but visitors can also do partial walks: just the bridge crossing (about 10 minutes one way), a half-loop, or extended walks linking to wider reserves.
Walking the Loop
The most-popular starting point is the Victoria Esplanade. From the eastern end of the Esplanade, follow the He Ara Kotahi signage along the river to the bridge. Cross the bridge to the south bank, follow the south-bank pathway to the Massey University grounds, and return via the Massey south-bank pathway back to the bridge to complete the loop.
Allow about 1 hour at walking pace including stops at the bridge for photos. Cyclists can complete the loop in 20 minutes at comfortable pace. The pathway is sealed throughout and suitable for prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
For longer walks, link the He Ara Kotahi loop with the wider Manawatu River Walkway sections east toward Ahimate Reserve or west toward Foxton. These extend the basic loop into half-day to full-day walks.
Bridge Features
The He Ara Kotahi bridge is the centrepiece of the pathway. The 195-metre cable-stayed structure crosses the Manawatu River at a height that gives panoramic views up and down the river. The bridge has been instrumented for periodic lighting displays, and on event nights the bridge lighting becomes a city landmark.
At the southern end of the bridge, a pou whenua (carved Maori cultural marker) acknowledges the cultural significance of the river crossing and the Rangitane mana whenua over the wider area.
What Visitors Often Say
The He Ara Kotahi Pathway is consistently rated as one of PN’s best recreation assets, with the combination of the iconic bridge, the river setting, and the universal accessibility drawing repeated specific positive mentions. Both PN locals and visitors describe the bridge as a defining piece of the city.
Practical observations: busiest weekend mornings and after work in summer; quietest weekday mornings; sealed surface throughout so prams and wheelchairs are fine; bring sun cover, the pathway has limited shade; combine with the Esplanade attractions for a fuller family outing.
Where to Learn More
PNCC: He Ara Kotahi: official council page with pathway map, bridge information and current status.
Massey University: campus information including the south-bank pathway connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does He Ara Kotahi mean?
He Ara Kotahi means ‘a pathway uniting us all’ in Maori. The name reflects the connection between the central city and the Massey University south-bank campus.
How long is the loop?
About 4 km full loop including the bridge.
How long does it take?
About 1 hour walking, 20 minutes cycling at comfortable pace.
Is it suitable for prams and wheelchairs?
Yes. The pathway is sealed throughout, flat, and well-maintained.
When was the bridge opened?
October 2018.
Can I cycle on the pathway?
Yes, it is a shared walking and cycling pathway.
Where do I start?
Most-popular starting point is the Victoria Esplanade. He Ara Kotahi Lane and the Massey University south bank are alternative start points.
For more walks, see walking tracks in Palmerston North. Pair with Victoria Esplanade for the full central-PN family outing.