Future growth and developments in Porirua
This page outlines plans for future growth and development in Porirua City.
Population growth
Porirua has room to grow with on-going residential development occurring on land with many desirable qualities.
Porirua has an estimated population of 51,500 people and 16,800 households. The city’s population is estimated to grow between 4-12 percent whilst household numbers will grow moderately between 11-22 percent over the next 10 years.
As Porirua continues to grow the Council is looking at opportunities to further develop the city. Some projects earmarked for development include the City Centre Revitalisation, the Porirua Performing Arts Centre, Village Planning and the Porirua Harbour and Catchment Strategy.
City Centre Revitalisation
An artist's aerial impression of the proposed City Centre Revitalisation plans.
Revitalising Porirua City Centre is key to creating a more prosperous city. Stage one of the Council’s revitalisation project is currently underway. The project is about more than just shopping, it’s about value creation, city heart, our sense of place; it’s about business, a better range of jobs and people living in the city centre to give it 24/7 activity.
It’s also about partnerships between the Council, business, investors and the community to realise the dream of a thriving city centre.
Find out more about this project and what it means for the future of Porirua.
Porirua Performing Arts Centre
A conceptual drawing of the proposed Porirua Performing Arts Theatre from Porirua Harbour.
For a city of its age and size, Porirua has an impressive pedigree as a place where the arts and artists are born and thrive. Unfortunately though, Porirua residents rarely see performances from either our own acclaimed or emerging artists or of visiting performers.
To address the lack of a dedicated performing arts venue, the Council is a partner in a Trust, set up in 2008, to investigate the feasibility of constructing and operating a Porirua Performing Arts Theatre. Other Trustees represent Porirua Community Arts Council, Ngati Toa and Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
The Council has recently agreed to proposals for shared funding for both concept development, construction and operation of a Porirua Performing Arts Theatre.
In the Council’s long term plan, money has been set aside to contribute to the construction and operating cost of the theatre. This is dependent upon funding from other sources including Whitireia Community Polytechnic and community fundraising.
You can read more about the Porirua Performing Arts Centre in the Council’s Long Term Plan.
Village Planning
A youthful BMXer at Pukerua Bay Skatepark, a Village Planning Programme Project.
Porirua City is made up of many diverse communities we call villages each with their own vision of what is best for their local character.
The Village Planning Programme harnesses those ideas and needs and in a collaboration between the community and the Council turns them into concrete plans and then actions to ensure our villages are the best they can be.
This programme has involved huge community consultation, as Porirua City Council works alongside the communities to identify what needs to be done.
Find out more about our award-winning Village Planning Programme.
Harbour management
View of Porirua's twin harbours looking south-west, showing Pauatahanui Inlet on the left and Onepoto Arm on the right.
Porirua Harbour, comprising the Onepoto Arm on the right and the Pauatahanui Inlet on the left, is considered by the Council and community as the centrepiece of the City and a highly valued taonga (treasure). The largest estuary system in the lower North Island, Porirua Harbour is a nationally significant wildlife area, with many cultural, recreational, economic (transport), and wildlife habitat values.
Porirua City Council is the lead agent in the Porirua Harbour programme and is committed to developing and implementing a Harbour and Catchment Strategy aimed at Harbour protection and restoration.
Porirua City has initiated a strategy development programme with partners Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council (70 per cent of Porirua Stream catchment is in the Wellington City district).
Links to more information
Porirua City Council links: