1 March 2022
Mr Warwick Pascoe
Principal Project Lead – Premium Resource Consents
Auckland Council
Private Bag 92300
Victoria Street West Auckland 1142
Dear Warwick,
City Rail Link – Aotea Station Architecture and Public Realm Reinstatement – Decision on Auckland Council Recommendation for Outline Plan OPW60389911
Auckland Council released the Independent Commissioner’s recommendation on the Outline Plan (OPW60389911) for the City Rail Link (CRL) Aotea Station architecture and public realm reinstatement on 16 February 2022.
Pursuant to section 176A (4) of the Resource Management Act 1991, the recommendation contains a number of ‘requested changes’ and ‘suggested changes’ in relation to the proposed station architecture and public realm reinstatement works for the surrounding precinct.
City Rail Link Limited (CRLL) generally accepts the Commissioner’s recommendation, but has decided not to make three of the ‘suggested’ changes which the recommendation states are “to better achieve outcomes under the Design Principles”
Suggested Change ‘1.’
“1. That the panelling on the sky element façade incorporate photovoltaics to strengthen the expression of the narrative and make use of sustainable design techniques that consider the whole of life and energy efficiency implications of the building.”
CRLL has decided not to make this change for the following reasons:
(i) Expert design advice indicates that the incorporation of photovoltaics would undermine expression of the narrative rather than strengthening it The Sky Element will be made up of anodised aluminium components, in three colour variations and with different reflectivity levels that resemble natural variations in the sky. The aluminium components (‘blades’) are being procured as a standardised system that will also be used for the Sky Element at Karangahape and Mt Eden Stations. The Sky Element at Aotea Station will also incorporate a Poutama pattern to reflect the tears of Ranginui. The incorporation of photovoltaic devices would physically alter the above-mentioned visual characteristics of the aluminium blades and detract from the intended design. The design has been developed in collaboration with mana whenua and it is considered that the change being suggested by the Council would detract from the expression of the agreed cultural narrative.
(ii) CRLL questions the level of sustainability and economic benefit that would actually be achieved by the use of photovoltaics. Any savings in energy costs would be offset by higher initial construction costs, whole of life costs, as well as more complicated ongoing maintenance requirements. In addition to interrupting the expression of sky and cultural narratives for the reasons explained in (i) above, the
incorporation of photovoltaic devices into the aluminium blades would be technically challenging and significantly more expensive.
Suggested Change ‘2.’
“2. That sufficient space is provided for the threshold element artwork to enable it to “stand clear” and “breathe” as a significant cultural expression, including:
a. That the canopy between the sky and earth elements be altered to prevent the bisecting of the threshold element from outside the station. Note that this could be achieved through raising/lowering or removal of the canopy and would be particularly desirable around the Wellesley/Mayoral Drive corner of the building entrance. The offset Mayoral Drive access point needs to be reconsidered to enable the function of the threshold element as opposed to it being simply an artwork.
b. That the glazed canopy over the Bledisloe Plaza entrance is modified to avoid the experience of the threshold element being significantly obscured on approach from the east/Queen Street.”
CRLL has decided not to make these changes for the following reasons:
(i) The option of removing the canopy has been discussed with Auckland Transport (AT). AT’s expectation is that a canopy be provided to the street corner. This supports the ‘Access for Everyone’ (A4E) outcomes in the City Centre Masterplan, and is best practice for the provision of shelter for general pedestrian movement and users of public transport
(ii) Consistent with the Creation Story, the canopy is key to defining the separation between Earth and Sky Elements and provides a demarcation between those elements. In the Creation Story Tāne-mahuta separated Earth (Papatūānuku, his earth mother) and Sky (Ranginui, his sky father) In this context the canopy represents the expression of Tāne-mahuta A consistent canopy line provides functional cover, reduces clutter to façade articulation and avoids creating a discontinuity in the Earth Element.
(iii) Consideration has been given to stepping the canopy to follow the lower edge of the Sky Element, but the resultant reduction in weather protection (in locations where the height of the canopy would be increased, or ‘stepped up’) is considered to be unacceptable.
(iv) At the Bledisloe Plaza entrance to the station building, the glazed canopy does not significantly obscure the Threshold Element. The Threshold Element is intended to be part of the viewing experience from both inside and outside the station building. The overall building narrative of Earth, Sky, and the separation between these elements (including by way of the canopy) is the main narrative intended to be read when the building is viewed from afar. The Threshold Element is visible from outside the station building, and will be particularly visible in the evening and at night when the entrance area will shine out like a lantern from the ground level of the building.
(v) Again, the design has been developed in collaboration with mana whenua and it is considered that the changes being suggested by the Council would detract from the expression of the agreed cultural narrative.
Suggested Change ‘3.’
“3. That further expression of the Mauri Tu, Whakapapa and Ahi Ka principles are enabled through the ratification of the station name, Wai o Horotiu, gifted to this station by mana whenua, and appropriate indication of the pathway forwards and mana whenua roles in that pathway. The gifted name must be given appropriate mana and prominence in the signage and identification of the station entrance, including through inscription of the name on the earth element on the Wellesley Street frontage.”
CRLL has decided not to make this change for the following reasons:
(i) “Aotea Station” is a provisional name and, following longstanding consultation with the CRL Mana Whenua Forum regarding station naming (in accordance with designation Condition 8.3(f)), the Forum has gifted the name “Te Wai Horotiu”. The CRLL Board supports and has endorsed this new name.
(ii) However, before a name can be officially assigned and recognised, it is necessary to submit a proposal to the New Zealand Geographic Board (the authority responsible for official place names in New Zealand) The Geographic Board makes a determination on a proposed name following the process set out in the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 2008. This process includes public notification and submissions.
(iii) AT (the new station will become an AT asset), supported by CRLL, will now submit the proposed name “Te Wai Horotiu” to the Geographic Board for determination. However, pending completion of the required statutory process and the Geographic Board’s determination, CRLL is at this stage unable to give an absolute assurance that the name “Te Wai Horotiu” will be ratified.
(iv) If the Geographic Board does ultimately approve the name “Te Wai Horotiu” (and CRLL is hopeful that this will be the case), then the new name will be given appropriate mana and prominence at the station entrances. This will not, however, necessarily include inscription of the name on the Earth Element on the Wellesley Street frontage. Ongoing consultation with the Mana Whenua Forum has identified a desire to keep the Earth Element very simple, with no inscription of station names.
Apart from its decision to not make the changes outlined above, CRLL otherwise accepts the Independent Commissioner’s recommendation and agrees to make the other changes specified in the recommendation.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Jenkins Principal Planner
Emma Kurtovich Legal Counsel and Company Secretary