Shaping our future - what is TAG?

GM Design & Place for Eke Panuku Development Auckland, and the CCO’s previous Head of Design, Gyles shares how sharp minds collaborate to deliver best value and the best urban design outcomes for the city of Auckland.

Behind the work carried out by Eke Panuku and our partners in the design space is a unique entity – TAG. The Technical Advisory Group supports decision making and delivery of our urban regeneration projects throughout Tāmaki Makaurau.

TAG is an independent panel of experts in the fields of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture. Its role is to push, challenge and support us in our key decision-making and ensure we are creating amazing places within the communities we work in. It advocates not only for best practice, but for innovative, meaningful design, a robust process and world-leading outcomes.

Firmly behind the success of the award-winning Wynyard Quarter, the advisory group is led by Emeritus Professor of Architecture, John Hunt. Bringing extensive local knowledge and expertise are members Gordon Moller, Rachel de Lambert, Gavin Lister, Rebecca Skidmore and Graeme McIndoe.

TAG recently welcomed its newest member, Carin Wilson (Ngati Awa and Tuhourangi). Eke Panuku has a proud, long-standing and genuine partnership with mana whenua, with the integration of mātauranga Māori fundamental in our work. Carin’s appointment in May 2022 was the result of a process of continued mana whenua engagement to ensure thorough, well-rounded cultural understanding sits at the advisory table. This ensures a Māori-led perspective is strong from the outset and is embedded into every project we undertake.

TAG tells it to us like it is. Not there to make decisions on our behalf, they guide us towards making the most well-thought-out ones to ensure the best outcomes for our neighbourhoods. How we reach our design conclusions is informed by their combined industry knowledge and experience. This insight ultimately shapes what we see in regenerated buildings, streetscapes and public spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau.

It's healthy to question. It’s as healthy to challenge and debate as it is to support and celebrate good design. TAG allows space and time for this. Open, independent review of our projects keeps our eyes open to possibilities as much as it points out potential pitfalls. Through reflection, and by revisiting project ideas, we are able to refine them. And we know the result has been achieved through robust, reliable process.

How we get to an idea can be just as important as the idea itself and I personally appreciate and acknowledge the many ingredients that contribute to the results of our work.

While we may look overseas, with wide eyes and open minds, at how others are transforming their urban landscapes, we must always remind ourselves: we are not trying to be any other international city. We are Tāmaki Makaurau, in all its uniqueness.