Waiwharariki Anzac Square

01 March 2018 - 31 August 2023

Takapuna
Complete

This new town square is in the heart of Takapuna and connects to the beach, with its stunning views of Rangitoto.

This new town square is in the heart of Takapuna, connecting it to the beach - with its stunning views of Rangitoto.

It’s a place for the community to gather, shop at markets, and enjoy festivals and community events. Or just relax, take in the beautiful mana whenua artwork, enjoy the shade and, over summer, children can play in the water feature.

Background

In March 2018, Auckland Council’s Planning Committee gave the green light to change the use of the site, from a car park to a new public space.

In December 2020, Toka Puia, a new alternative 420-space car park opened nearby with entrances on both Northcroft Street and Huron Street. This freed up the old carpark site for the new square to go ahead.

Following consultation and feedback from the local community in 2020, the Devonport Takapuna Local Board and mana whenua agreed the final design for the new square.

In 2022, construction of the new town square began. By December, the first section by Hurstmere Road opened.

In August 2023, Waiwharariki Anzac Square was fully complete and opened for the public to enjoy.

Waiwharariki Anzac Square is part of the urban regeneration of Takapuna - led by Eke Panuku, on behalf of Auckland Council.

Our goal is to make the most of Takapuna’s unique lake and beachside location by revitalising the town centre.

Thank you to local residents, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, the Takapuna Beach Business Association, and mana whenua for your support and collaborating with us on this project.

Waiwharariki Mahi Toi

The story of Takapuna is embedded into the very structure of Waiwharariki Anzac Square. Together with toi whenua artists Wyvern Rosieur (Ngāti Manuhiri) & Hokimai-anahera Rosieur (Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāpuhi and Te Aupōuri) and our partners, we created these amazing lighting features for visitors to experience.

By Lake Road, there is a whare wananga (learning structure). It’s a space to remember te Tupuna (ancestors), and te Taiao (natural environment). The fauna and flora depicted on the structure represent taonga, or treasured species, who are kaitiaki (guardians) and indicators of a healthy environment.

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Waiwharariki ANZAC Square completed

The newly created Waiwharariki Anzac Square provides a centrally located civic space for the community in the heart of Takapuna that connects to the beach. It’s an all year-round venue for people to gather, enjoy markets, festivals, and community events.

An image from the karakia whakawātea (blessing ceremony) on Friday September 1, 2023.

What's next?

The new town square is just the start. Exciting future developments around the square are planned, to help the neighbourhood to thrive. This will include new shops, businesses, and homes.

These developments are part of the urban regeneration of Takapuna, led by Eke Panuku on behalf of Auckland Council. Our goals are to revitalise the town centre, improve public spaces, create better connections to the beach and support more options for urban living and public transport - to bring about an even better future for Takapuna.

See here for more information.

Designed with the future in mind

With many sustainable ‘Green Star – Communities’ rating features, the square is designed to meet the future needs of the community and limit the impact of climate change. For example, locally sourced trees and plants provide much needed shade in the summer and help to soak up stormwater to minimise the volume of stormwater flowing directly to the beach.

Waiwharariki: The roots of Takapuna

Mana whenua gifted the name ‘Waiwharariki’ for Takapuna’s new town square. This video explains the meaning behind this name.

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The gift of a name

Mana whenua gifted the name Waiwharariki to the square. Waiwharariki is the mana whenua place name for the area, now known as Takapuna, the beach and town centre.

In the mid-1800s, Waiwharariki was the name used for the settlement at the Shoal Bay headland, within Takapuna. In 1849, following the death of Ngāti Pāoa chieftainess Rīria Takarangi, Governor Grey gifted Māori leader Patuone a life interest in 110 acres at Waiwharariki (Takapuna Beach).

The name acknowledges the significant coastal flax - wharariki, commonly found throughout the coastal rocks and waters in the area. The flax was frequently used by Māori weavers to make kete (baskets) and sleeping mats.

The name of the square also pays tribute to the ANZAC service men and women who with courage and self-sacrifice served our country. Many nearby streets in Takapuna are named in honour of local service personnel who died in WWI.