Key parks in Puketāpapa have been identified as places where stories narrating the area’s rich history and heritage can be told.
The Puketāpapa Local Board area’s history goes back many hundreds of years.
While some local parks have interpretive signage installed already, this initiative goes a lot further.
Chronological storytelling will provide insight into life in Puketāpapa at specific moments in time. Archived material (including local, regional and national newspapers), books, digital content and historical documents is researched to weave together a vibrant tapestry of lesser-known local stories and details.
Through this initiative, Puketāpapa Local Board hopes to bring local history into public parks and public conversation.
“This will highlight our area’s cultural significance, from Māori occupation and food gathering sites to European colonisation with the development of industries like farming and market gardening, and development of some of the first state housing suburbs,” says a local board spokesperson.
The board says that by funding this initiative and endorsing it formally the board has shown its commitment to help provide a sense of place for communities. This is important as the area is growing and changing.
Puketāpapa is already one of the most ethnically diverse local boards in Auckland. Its town centres have distinct personalities. Environmental restoration is ongoing to restore the important Te Auaunga stream and its tributaries, and along the Waikowhai Coast of the Manukau Harbour.
Combined with significant forecast population growth and housing intensification provide opportunities to unearth and celebrate stories of the areas past and future.
Narratives will fall into four key themes: cultural, historical, environmental and community.
Five parks and places across Puketāpapa - Three Kings Quarry Parks, Mt Roskill Shops, Dominion Rd/Mt Albert Rd & Victory Estate, Te Auaunga, Wesley Community Market & The Lovelock Track, Lynfield Reserve and Three Kings Plaza – have been selected for display.
More details here [PDF]
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