If you set out to walk the length of Oranga’s new footpaths, you’d be taking more than 10,000 steps.

On your stroll you’d pass more than 850 new plants. And if the sun started to set, 100 new streetlights would guide your way.

The neighbourhood is on a path to transformation, and has just taken an important step of its own with the completion of civil infrastructure streetscaping as part of Oranga Development.

The concrete poured to build new driveways, kerbs and those same footpaths – which are nearly twice as wide and safer than the 80-year-old routes they replaced – would be more than enough to pave over the grounds at Auckland’s Eden Park.

“Oranga Development is future-proofing the neighbourhood by renewing the connections and services to homes so they’ll last for decades,” says Senior Development Manager Luis De Faria.

“Some may think these upgrades are just for the new homes built by Kāinga Ora, but they’re for everyone – the new homes, those who already live here and for private development in the future.”

Kāinga Ora civil construction partner LEAD Alliance has laid 4,900 metres of new watermains and 232 metres of stormwater pipes in Oranga. More than 10 kilometres of power and communications cables have been moved underground.

“Such significant work can be disruptive for people who already call Oranga home, but we’ve found residents to be really accommodating, understanding and supportive over the years it’s taken to complete it,” says Shaun Kao, Kāinga Ora Senior Project Manager – Infrastructure and Civil Construction.

As well as new streetlights and pedestrian crossings and landscaping, an entrance to Fergusson Domain has been upgraded for better visibility, safety and access.

“The whole neighbourhood benefits from improved infrastructure that’ll support its growth for the next 50 years or more,” says Luis.

And all of this paves the way for more than 1,300 homes over the course of the development – a mix of social housing and homes for sale at more affordable and market prices.