Takapuna square’s path from controversy

The soon-to-open public space on the old central car park provides a welcome visual and cultural connection from the town centre to the sea. But, says Janetta Mackay, aspects of the development continue to raise questions.

The fences around Takapuna’s town square will come down for a dawn blessing next Friday, 25 August, before the public space opens after 19 months of construction.

Waiwharariki Anzac Square creates a welcome connection from Lake Rd to Hurstmere Rd, with glimpses to the sea, and features public seating, planting, a water feature, and arched lighting pou with carved detailing.

The final cost of the project is expected to be $15.5 million, says Auckland Council property arm Eke Panuku. The original budget was $14.6 million, but the build coincided with Covid restrictions, bad weather and supply-chain issues.

Eke Panuku hopes the square’s open spaces will function as the heart of the metropolitan centre.

But due to the sale by Eke Panuku of more than half the original prime site of nearly a hectare for private development, the loss of public car parks on land originally bought by local businesses for shoppers and a downsizing of the space for the Takapuna Sunday market, scepticism continues about whether the community has been given a good deal.

The Takapuna Residents Association (TRA) has moved on from lamenting the

Home grown... Shore-dwelling quantity surveyor Ryan Smith has enjoyed working on a large construction project with interesting technical challenges, in a location not requiring a commute to the city

The square should be appreciated by thoseqwho enjoy what is a well-designed, subtly sloped area that does away with steps.

“Activations” to draw more people are planned by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, including a likely sculpture project and entertainment. The board has set aside $50,000 for square-based activities, having been told “place-maker” Eke Panuku had no budget to organise anything.

Board chair Toni van Tonder said the funding was for one year only and designed to launch the space to the community.

Eke Panuku has since come to the party, saying it will kick in items it has on hand to encourage the square’s use, such as table- tennis tables and a pump track.

Its northern priority location director, Kate Cumberpatch, said the 3700sqm square was the first big project Eke Panuku had developed beyond the CBD and Wynyard Quarter.

It had been completed on target, with the same contractor as used on the recent Hurstmere Rd Upgrade.

Design by Isthmus Group was in partnership with mana whenua representatives.

“Each entrance acts as a wananga/gallery and references its closest water body: Waitemata Harbour, Lake Pupuke and Hauraki Gulf,” she said.

Design elements referenced the under-

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