Onehunga – better connections and new public spaces

Waiapu Precinct includes a large area of council-owned land in the block between Onehunga Mall and Selwyn Street, between Church Street and Arthur Street.  The proposed improvements are part of the urban regeneration of Onehunga led by Eke Panuku on behalf of Auckland Council.

The concept design proposal, detailing the improvements planned for Waiapu Precinct’s public spaces, will be released for public feedback on in February 2024.

“This concept design is about actively planning for the success of our town centre, future proofing it for expected population growth. The design is focussed on the issues the community has raised and I hope residents and businesses will take the time to show their support for it, or tell us how to make it better. Given council funding constraints, it is genuinely exciting to know that the resources are available to deliver the project once the design is finalised”. Maria Meredith, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair.

Committed to embracing Onehunga’s character, Eke Panuku is working to breathe new life into this neighbourhood and the concept design proposal incorporates ideas and feedback from previous community consultation sessions. In partnering with mana whenua to weave in Māori design principles, Eke Panuku has also ensured Onehunga’s rich history and strong community identity is visually celebrated in the precinct’s design.

The concept design proposal aims to:

• Improve the north-south connection, between Onehunga Primary School and Onehunga Library, with additional planting to encourage walking and cycling.

• Improve east-west accessibility across the Waiapu Precinct through to Onehunga Mall and the expanded Dress Smart development at Paynes Lane, to make it safer and easy to navigate for all abilities.

• Create a public play space that strengthens a sense of community, identity, and local character. The new 530m2 play space will include Māra Hūpara, physical movement, problem solving and imaginative play as well as catering to all ages, abilities and preferences.

• Create seating and gathering spaces, including a sheltered pavilion, to provide places to meet, rest, or shelter between the proposed new supermarket and play space.

• Realign the existing street network to reduce rat-running and improve safety for pedestrians and people on bikes.

 “Eke Panuku wants to deliver a space that the Onehunga community will visit and love for many decades to come.  We are ensuring it has attractive connections both north to south and east to west, so that people not only enjoy the space itself, but are also drawn to explore and experience all that the Onehunga town centre has to offer”. Kate Cumberpatch, Priority Location Director, Eke Panuku.

Next steps

Community input is central to shaping the final design of the public spaces. Plans are underway for community consultation in February 2024, though early engagement with key stakeholders will occur by the end of 2023. Details on how to provide feedback will be shared in early 2024.  Public feedback and a final design recommendation will be presented to the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board by June 2024.

Keep updated on progress here.