Panuku Development Auckland (Eke Panuku) hosted a ceremony with iwi and construction partners to celebrate a significant milestone on Monday 16 November – the completion of stage two of the Westhaven Promenade and Marine Village.
The ceremony started before sunrise, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led a group of approximately 60 along the new boardwalk in an east-to-west direction towards the marine village, before finishing with kai and speeches at Buoy Café.
David Rankin, Chief Executive of Panuku, spoke to the success of the two projects and thanked all involved. “A lot of people have contributed to the waterfront vision, I thank everyone who has given something to the waterfront plan and these projects, what an amazing achievement and asset they are for Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Construction of the promenade and Marine Village started in 2019, stemming from the Waterfront Plan 2012 and a vision to make the waterfront edge a space for all people. The completion of the promenade and marine village takes the plan off the page and offers an urban and marine sanctuary. A place where people can recharge, get close to the water, and enjoy the best of what the outdoors has to offer both on land and on sea.
“The Westhaven Promenade was ranked by the public as the highest priority for investment during the consultation phase of the waterfront plan in 2011,” said Waitematā and Gulf Ward Councillor Pippa Coom.
“I feel privileged to be speaking here to its completion. I had hoped to be the first to ride my bike along the new section this morning, but I did notice a bike track already in the condensation along the path, so someone must have just beat me to it,” she joked.
Stage two of the promenade now offers a continuous shared path along Westhaven’s foreshore between Wynyard Quarter and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It is a long-awaited connection between the existing and well-loved stage one promenade sections which were completed in 2015.
Designed by LandLAB and built by HEB Construction, the Westhaven Promenade is designed for slow-moving traffic on foot, or those on bikes or scooters travelling at a slow pace. Berth holders will utilise the boardwalk to get to their berths via the pier gates that feature artwork by Graham Tipene of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
“I’m proud to see my mahi toi displayed around Tāmaki Makaurau. It transforms our city from any other place in the world, it gives it a Māori identity,” says Graham. “Seeing Māori culture and identity in our built spaces gives future generations of Māori a sense of place in this world.”
Adjoining the promenade is the new Marine Village, which is a world-class facility inspired by the area’s marine industrial heritage. It offers spectacular views over the marina back towards the city. It was designed by ArchOffice and built by Argon Construction. It includes exciting sustainable design elements including rainwater tanks, shaded window glazing, cycle racks and end of trip facilities. The building is to home new tenants Burnsco, Signcorp, Sports Marine, Harken, a hospitality offering named Cargo, and the Westhaven Marina office.
“It’s a testament to the Waterfront Plan 2012 goal of creating a smart working waterfront that can support economic growth and give the marine industry a permanent home in Westhaven,” says Rankin, “It’s a real achievement to have the marine village building complete, and I look forward to the new tenants taking residency over the coming months.”
Panuku, Auckland’s regeneration agency, manages Westhaven Marina on behalf of Auckland Council and is responsible for developing spaces for future generations of Aucklanders to love.
