Te Hā Noa in Tāmaki Makaurau
Construction of Te Hā Noa’s eastern section, spanning Elliott Street to Kitchener Street in central Auckland has begun.
Jasmax is the landscape architecture team behind the new Victoria Street Linear Park that will renew the street stretching from Victoria Park to Albert Park, showcasing the cultural heritage and identity of Tāmaki Makaurau.
An artist’s impression of the eastern end of Te Hā Noa in Auckland.
Auckland Council says it recognises the current deficit of attractive, safe and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces in Auckland’s city centre. This project, says the council, transforms the street into a two-laned thoroughfare, with wide footpaths, shade trees, cycle lanes, furniture, and native planting for stormwater management, ecology and aesthetics.
“Set to become a distinctive urban corridor, the Te Hā Noa Victoria Street linear park will create a thriving public outdoor space supporting walking, cycling and public life to enhance the wellbeing of people and the city’s natural environment,” says the Jasmax team.
Victoria Street will become a tree-lined walking street with only one lane of cars in each direction. More than 20 native trees will be planted along the edges of Te Hā Noa, offering shade and shelter, urban cooling, soaking up carbon and adding to the city centre’s expanding urban forest.
The trees will be planted in special tree pits that have been excavated and backfilled with a combination of organic and structural material to keep their roots safe from heavy vehicles and equipment.
The view from High Street.
Aotea Station, which is projected to be New Zealand’s busiest transport hub, will be supported by Te Hā Noa. With station entrances on Albert and Victoria Streets, the first stages of the linear park will be delivered next year, offering a plaza-like public realm that will assist with an increase in commuter and foot traffic.
Auckland Council has worked with City Rail Link, Watercare, Auckland Transport and Vector to deliver the street in chunks, to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency. The project is part of a future green link that will run from Wynyard Point to the Domain, and is a key part of the Auckland City Centre Masterplan’s midtown precinct.
The design has been developed in partnership with mana whenua, with the name gifted evoking a sense of freedom in experiencing one’s surroundings.
Elliot Street corner.
“The design of Te Hā Noa supports the way we know people want to live, work and spend leisure time. They want fast and seamless access to everything – jobs, entertainment, restaurants, theatres, parks and universities,” says Jenny Larking, Head of City Centre Programmes at Auckland Council.
“It’s important for us to build an Auckland that is internationally competitive, a city that attracts the world’s top talent. We want people to aspire to live and work here, so our streets and spaces are designed to offer healthy and attractive lifestyles.”
