Invercargill's Esk and Don Streets will reopen to vehicles on Monday (17 April), following two years of disruption and closure as the city's main retail streets were redeveloped.

Mana whenua were joined by Invercargill City Council (ICC) Mayor Nobby Clark, Councillors, ICC staff, contractors, retailers and guests for a whakawātea and blessing on Friday (14 April) to settle the streets and mark the completion of work.

The project started in 2021 and includes extensive repair and replacement of underground infrastructure before resealing, paving and landscaping to place.

Mana whenua and Waihōpai Runaka deputy chair Joe Wakefield led a walking whakawātea around the Esk, Dee, Don and Kelvin block to undertake a karakia blessing of the space, while discussing the cultural elements and stories behind the artwork that had been added to the street.

ICC mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook said swampy Kōreti (the Ōreti River and estuary) and its past proximity to the inner city is recalled in etchings that feature weka and pūkeko footprints.

“Cast mahika kai creatures appear where they are least expected, including pāua, kina and tuna. They join the cast weka, gifted to the city by retired businessman Cliff Broad, which has been reinstated on Esk St once more.

“Kāhui rama light posts dot both streets representing the diverse community of Waihōpai over time, while rain gardens both cleanse and soothe the street and the people using it.”

Speakers also included Mayor Clark, City Centre Governance Group chair John Green, and Invercargill Central Ltd Scott O’Donnell.

Clark and the ICC CEO Michael Day both thanked retailers and the community for their patience.

The street would be open to one-way, 10kmh traffic from 8am on Monday, Day said.