The newest residents of Wooing Tree Estate in Cromwell have strong family connections to the subdivision.

Brother and sister Rex Johnson and Pauline Copeland moved in just weeks ago, at the recommendation of Pauline’s daughter Dee Copeland, regional manager for preferred builder Barrett Homes, whose family also lives in the subdivision.

All three joined a group of about 50 people yesterday (August 25) for a blessing by iwi representative Darren Rewi and the official opening of a new pedestrian and cycle underpass that runs under State Highway 8B, connecting the subdivision safely with Cromwell township.

Iwi representative Darren Rewi leads Wooing Tree Wines owners Steve and Thea Farquharson and others through the new underpass while performing a wairea, or protective incantation.

Pauline said she already lived in Cromwell, but on the other side of the busy highway, and Dee had advised her to consider moving to Wooing Tree.

“I was deciding that my house and garden was too much for me,” she said.

With much of the estate still a construction site, noise is inevitable, but Pauline finds it comforting. Her father and grandfather were builders and the trade has continued through the family, with Dee’s son now a builder’s apprentice.

“That makes it the fifth generation of builders on my father’s side,” Pauline said.

Dee said as the parent of young children who need to get to school, the underpass offers connectivity with the township without the dangers of having to cross the highway.

Thea and Steve Farquharson cut the ribbon and officially declare the underpass open.

That safety aspect was a game changer, said Steve Farquharson, who with wife Thea established Wooing Tree Wines 20 years ago.

“An underpass has always been a core part of our vision for the neighbourhood,” he said. 

“We knew that being able to walk or bike under State Highway 8B would be a game changer for Cromwell residents and visitors. It immediately makes everything so much safer and more accessible.” 

The construction of both the new SH8B roundabout outside the Wooing Tree Estate entrance and the underpass were funded by the Farquharsons and their development partners, an investment of over $4.4M.

The Wooing Tree Walkway connects to the neighbourhood’s greenway network with more than 1,000 metres of pathways developed exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. The greenway, the parkland surrounding the historic Wooing Tree, and the vineyard buffer zone around the Estate comprise over three hectares, which is 15 percent of the neighbourhood’s total land area.

Duarne Lankshear, director of development management company Veros, said the company was proud of what they had achieved so far.

“It will connect kids to the town, it will connect kids to the rowing club - it’s going to be wonderful,” he said.

Development manager Stephen Cornwall said by completion in 2025, there would be up to 390 homes and as many as 800 residents at Wooing Tree Estate.

“We have over 100 homes built or currently being built, and we’re working hard to complete the remaining roading and greenway network to help connect the new neighbourhood for visitors and new residents,” he said.