Te Ara I Whiti, better known as The Lightpath, is a whimsical cycleway in Auckland's inner city that has quickly become a popular destination. The path was created by Monk Mackenzie Architects and LandLAB in partnership with artist Katz Maihi. It is a hot-pink pathway that runs above the city's motorways, and it is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.
The pathway features a large pink Māori design on the road surface, black metal pou (land markers), and carved laser-cut designs along its western side. LED lights line the safety barriers and pulse as people pass them, making the path just as vibrant at night.
Te Ara I Whiti was named among the supreme winners at the 2016 New Zealand Best Design Awards and received a transport category award at the 2016 World Architecture Festival in Berlin.
Getting there Te huarahi ki reira
The Lightpath is running along the old Nelson Street motorway. The easiest way to get there is by foot or bike.
Local tip He tīwhiri mō te rohe
For the best photo opportunity, head to the path just before sunset, so that you can capture the beautiful sky colors and the beautiful city lights in the background, including the iconic Sky Tower.