Eke Panuku has been appointed as the lead agency to coordinate the next phase of city centre development following endorsement from the Planning Committee today.
Eke Panuku is the Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) delivering extensive urban regeneration across the region on behalf of Auckland Council
The city centre programme, which is currently the largest combined programme of work for the council group, involves close coordination between the council, CCOs and City Rail Link Limited, however there is not currently a lead agency for the programme.
The appointment of Eke Panuku in this role supports a key recommendation of the recent CCO Review, which outlined that one CCO should be appointed to act as lead agency with co-ordination responsibilities.
Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Chris Darby says having a single agency to lead the programme will support a more joined-up approach to achieve a more liveable, green and prosperous city centre.
“With the city centre being the prime anchor of the Auckland economy, and a major contributor to the national economy, it’s important that we support it by ensuring there is clear and effective council leadership for implementing our $540 million change programme.
“The city centre has been impacted disproportionately by COVID-19 and requires a collaborative and integrated team to build on significant progress already made and double down on unlocking the vision of the City Centre Masterplan.
“We are strengthening the leadership required to champion the city centre, putting the place-making expertise of Eke Panuku at the helm of change management”, says Councillor Darby.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “Significant progress has already been made over the last decade to deliver our bold vision for the city centre, including the recently completed transformation of the downtown and waterfront precincts and Karangahape Road, along with Freyberg Place, Ellen Melville Centre and High Street.
“This has delivered world-class public spaces, improved transport connections and created more people-friendly streets.
“Eke Panuku brings significant expertise in leading urban development programmes delivered by multiple agencies and will help streamline work to continue the good progress being made on the city centre.
“While there is much more work to come - including completion of the City Rail Link, a regeneration of midtown and the next stage of Wynyard Quarter – the city centre needs a greater focus on bringing our new spaces to life so that Aucklanders can fully realise the benefits envisaged. Eke Panuku is well placed to assume programme leadership for this next critical phase.”
