The Great Harbour Way will provide a cycleway and walkway to link Wellington and Lower Hutt, so it was logical that the newly-elected leaders of the two cities – Celia Wade-Brown of Wellington (right) and Ray Wallace of Lower Hutt (centre) – took part in this morning’s mayoral ride.

Several hundred cyclists accepted the invitation from Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and gathered under the sails on Queens Wharf in readiness for the ride.

When a small group of women devoted a few weekends to walking from Pencarrow to Red Rocks, the idea of the Great Harbour Way was born. With the concept included in the manifesto of the capital's new mayor seven years later, the vision is gaining momentum. Kiran Chug reports.

Around Wellington Harbour, more than 60 kilometres of coastline encompasses wild, windswept expanses, genteel suburbs, industrial areas and rocky headlands. For a small group of Wellingtonians, it represents boundless tourism and recreation opportunities.