Wellington City to Sea Bridge demolition

The story so far

In early September 2025 the High Court dismissed a judicial review by the Wellington Civic Trust, upholding the council's decision to demolish the City to Sea Bridge, which links Civic Square to the waterfront.^{1, 3 Sep 2025} The trust had three days to decide whether to appeal, and about 40 people protested against the demolition over seismic concerns.^{3, 4 Sep 2025} The trust then decided not to appeal, and the council fenced off the bridge over Jervois Quay ahead of its removal, along with another footbridge near the planned Fale Malae cultural centre.^{4, 8 Sep 2025} Demolition was then halted until at least the end of September while the council waited for a government review of the seismic risk of earthquake-prone buildings.^{11 Sep 2025} The council has since begun upgrade work on the bridge and the Capital E building, following the pause in demolition.^{17 Sep 2025}

Latest

Upgrade work has started on the City to Sea bridge and the Capital E building, following the pause in demolition.^{17 Sep 2025}

What's next

Demolition is paused until at least the end of September.^{11 Sep 2025} The renewal work is intended to coincide with the Civic Square precinct reopening in March.^{17 Sep 2025}

Key moments

1. 1 Sep 2025High Court dismisses Wellington Civic Trust's judicial review of bridge demolition.
2. 3 Sep 2025Trust given three days to decide whether to appeal the ruling.
3. 4 Sep 2025Trust decides not to appeal; protesters pledge a sit-in.
4. 8 Sep 2025Council fences off the City to Sea bridge ahead of demolition.
5. 11 Sep 2025Demolition halted until at least end of September, awaiting government seismic review.
6. 17 Sep 2025Upgrade work begins on bridge and Capital E instead of demolition.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.