Following recent media interest, Kataraina Maki, Auckland Council's General Manager Community and Social Policy, talks to OurAuckland about the latest developments in the Monte Cecilia Park project.
What are we doing at Monte Cecilia Park?
Auckland Council has been progressively implementing the decisions made by the former Auckland City Council in 1998 to create a new park - Monte Cecilia - in Hillsborough.
The expansion of Monte Cecilia Park is an efficient way to provide increased open space to meet the needs of Aucklanders as the city grows and intensifies.
What has been purchased?
A total of 16.0768 hectares have been acquired, including the former site of Monte Cecilia School.
The rebuild of the school is forecast to be $15.35 million and the relocation costs were $517,508.13 - both of which were paid for by the council.
Approximately 20 other properties have been progressively acquired since the 1998 decision at a market rate cost of $38.45 million.
The average cost of the expansion of Monte Cecilia Park was approximately $335 per square metre.
All of these acquisitions were funded using development contributions specifically for open space.
Why is Monte Cecilia significant?
Monte Cecilia is steeped in Auckland’s early history. It was previously the site of a fortified pā and is also the site one of Auckland’s largest and finest homes, Pah Homestead. Today the homestead is home to the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre.
It has significant archaeological, architectural, arboriculture, geological and heritage values. The land purchased has been landscaped to enhance the amenity value of the park and to improve access.
This work does not relate to Liston Village.
- Further details about the Monte Cecilia School purchase can be read here (PDF 31KB)
