Te Auaunga Awa Te Auaunga Awa is one of Auckland’s longest uninterrupted watercourse at approximately 14km in length, running from the catchments around Keith Hay Park and Puketapapa (Mt Roskill) to the outlet near Pollen Island in the upper Waitemata Harbour. The stream has strong cultural, community, landscape, and amenity values and a wide range of groups regularly utilise the reserves along the stream, including local schools. The name chosen for the project is Te Auaunga Awa, which translates as ‘swirling waters’. The name relates to the stream and wetland that once extended across the area. Te Auaunga Awa, Walmsley and Underwood Reserves (TAAWUR) project is intended to remedy significant flooding issues in three Local Board areas, while establishing a regionally significant river park along Te Auaunga Awa (Oakley Creek). The project will be a flagship for Auckland Council, to deliver a vision of a water-sensitive city.
Wai o Rakataura Te Auaunga Awa would have originally meandered through a large expanse of wetland known as Wai O Rakataura. This wetland was formed by the confluence of lava flows from Puketapapa (Mt Roskill) and Owairaka (Mt Albert), resulting in the damming of the watercourse and the formation of large peat swamps and open water lakes. Many Mana Whenua whakapapa to the ancestor Rakataura in this place. The wetland in this area was called Wai-o-Rakataura. Wai-o-Rakataura is the central theme that guides many of the sub-themes of the project. Iwi are committed to developing a strong design that represents their heritage and cultural narratives through Te Aranga Design Principles. Groups that are contributing to the project include: Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Akitai, Waiohua, Ngati Te Ata, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei.
TAAWUR is a partnership between the many stakeholders, including multiple units in Auckland Council, Watercare and Auckland Transport, Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC), Mana Whenua, Community Groups, Schools, Artists, and the Puketapapa, Albert-Eden, and Whau Local Boards. The Design Team is AECOM New Zealand Limited (AECOM) and Boffa Miskell Limited (BML).
PROJECT