New-look Clifton Court ready to welcome families to Panmure
08 June 2023
- Panmure
- News
- Urban regeneration
- Mana Whenua
Clifton Court gets brand new playground and gathering space.
Opened with a karakia whakawātea (blessing ceremony) on 8 June 2023, led by mana whenua representatives, Clifton Court is ready to be enjoyed by families.
Panmure has long been a culinary hotspot, drawing people from across Auckland with its variety of eateries and cafés. Now the town centre has another reason for young families to visit.
Opened with a karakia whakawātea (blessing ceremony) on 8 June 2023, led by mana whenua representatives, Clifton Court now boasts a new colourful playground and social gathering place.
Located just across Pilkington Road from the Panmure library and community hall, the improved Clifton Court is well situated to complement the main street and the town centre’s numerous businesses.
“We really appreciate the patience and resilience shown by the businesses of Clifton Court through the works. It hasn’t always been easy, and the tricky weather the last few months was challenging to navigate, but we’re delighted with the result. I look forward to seeing how the community use the space and make it their own.”
Eke Panuku Project Manager
Katie Walton
Work on upgrading the public space started in late 2022 and finished early June 2023.
While sometimes challenging to deliver, investing in community assets like Clifton Court is worth it, says Eke Panuku Project Manager Katie Walton.
“We really appreciate the patience and resilience shown by the businesses of Clifton Court through the works. It hasn’t always been easy, and the tricky weather the last few months was challenging to navigate, but we’re delighted with the result. I look forward to seeing how the community use the space and make it their own.”
Inspired and delivered through partnership with mana whenua, the new-look Clifton Court provides a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
The narrative of the eight-tailed taniwha (supernatural creatures that live in the ocean, rivers or lakes) Moko Ika Hiku Waru is weaved into the playground’s design, providing a cultural anchor for the new space.
Ngāti Paoa Iwi Trust have also gifted whakatauākī (proverbs) that have specific relevance to the site and the wider region. These whakatauākī are inscribed in low concrete walls which run through Clifton Court.
A key focus of the project has been creating a space that’s safe, flexible, open and with seating for social gatherings, recreation, small events, and outside learning – reflecting the square’s variety of existing uses and community aspirations.
“As the first step of our programme to reinvigorate the town centre into a great place to live, visit and do business – Clifton Court was well overdue for an upgrade,” says Eke Panuku Priority Location Director Richard Taylor.
“By creating public spaces that leverage the investment that has gone into sustainable transport options like the Eastern Busway and future housing development in the area, we want to give current and future residents of the area high quality facilities that will serve them long into the future.
We look forward to delivering more projects that will help improve connectivity for visitors to the town centre, while making the most of Panmure’s natural drawcards – notably Maungarei / Mt Wellington and Panmure Basin / Te Kopua Kai-a-Hiku.”