The Nelson Street Cycleway is a designated path for cycling in Downtown Auckland. The best-known section is the shared Lightpath Te Ara I Whiti (the Pink Path), which features a hot-pink surface and LED mood lighting. The path was a creative use of an old motorway off-ramp and avoids the first three street blocks of Nelson Street. Although it is only a 15-minute walk, it provides a different perspective of the city.
The Lightpath was designed by Monk Mackenzie Architects and LandLAB in collaboration with artist Katz Maihi. In addition to the LED lights, the path has a six-metre pou (land markers) by Katz Maihi and a large koru design on the path at the north end. Also, look out for the large pōhutukawa flower sculpture. At the south end, there are some native plantings, including whau trees, which have lovely clusters of white flowers in early Spring.
The Lightpath begins on Canada Street, near K Road and Upper Queen Street. It runs down the west side of Downtown from Upper Queen Street, alongside the motorway, to Victoria Street West. It is not a destination, but should be included on any downtown circuit walk. From the Victoria Street West end, you can head north to the Skytower, Viaduct, and Wynyard Quarter.
