Underwater sculpture trail proposed for Wellington’s Worser Bay
Boat & Beach Wise Trust and Yachting NZ are spearheading a bold plan to install an underwater sculpture trail in Worser Bay, Wellington. The project aims to create new habitats for marine life while offering a unique attraction for visitors and school groups.
The initiative builds on a five‑year education curriculum developed with local schools, and includes a 40‑foot aquaculture container where students can raise species such as octopuses and seahorses before releasing them into a newly declared no‑take zone.
Designs are being drafted by the Landscape Architecture Programme at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, drawing inspiration from Jason DeCairnes Taylor, the pioneer of underwater sculpture art whose works populate the Museum of Underwater Art on the Great Barrier Reef. The installations will function as artificial reefs, an anemone garden, and part of a “blue belt” stepping‑stone toward reserve status.
An open call will select about half a dozen pieces, with an estimated budget of roughly $1 million for the whole coastal development. Funding is expected to flow from community fundraising, council contributions and grants, while the Greater Wellington Regional Council has already provided resource consent and a modest grant for public consultation.
Complementary upgrades include a new access ramp, expanded outdoor‑education facilities, a shelter for a locally built waka, and plans to retain the popular beach sauna. The proposal reflects a collaborative vision of marine stewardship, hands‑on learning and sustainable tourism.