Eke Panuku has announced the purchase of a 7.6 hectare site as part of a significant regeneration programme in Manukau to improve the urban environment and attract further investment in homes and amenities.
Auckland Council’s urban regeneration agency secured the section of the national health provider’s Manukau Super Clinic site as part of its Transform Manukau urban regeneration programme.
The site is the last remaining section of the Puhinui Stream corridor which currently isn’t publicly accessible. Eke Panuku says its purchase will enable future wetland development as part of a project, named Te Aka Raataa, to progress and complete a three-kilometre connection along the path of the Puhinui Stream.
Te Aka Raataa is part of Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui, a wider collaborative regeneration programme which is restoring the health of this natural environment.
Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the announcement, saying “It’s great to see more parks opened and streams rehabilitated for Aucklanders to enjoy. I’m pleased to see areas in South Auckland that have previously missed out get their fair share of investment in nice spaces, which is something I support. Well done to everyone working together on this.”
Eke Panuku Priority Location Director, Richard Davison says the space will eventually offer more open green space for the public to enjoy and a direct cycle and walking route to central Manukau from the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
“We have worked closely with Te Whatu Ora to ensure this space is part of Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui and I’m enormously grateful to all involved that we are now able to confirm the purchase of this site,” he said.
“Additionally, because this site is flood-prone, as we work with mana whenua, partners and the local community to create this new connection the focus will be on water-sensitive design. This will ensure it improves the health of the stream as well as supports the current and future residents of this neighbourhood during adverse weather events.”
Te Aka Raataa will see the development of the future wetland site done in stages across a five-year period, linking the previously inaccessible areas alongside the stream.
Council says community feedback is already informing design plans which focus on upgrades to the Raataa Vine Stream Reserve, a narrow open space connecting to the Auckland Botanic Gardens via a motorway underpass to the east and Great South Road to the west.
Te Ākitai Waiohua chair, Karen Wilson has welcomed the purchase of the wetland, acknowledging its importance to the ancestral awa and as an integral part of the Puhinui river catchment.
“This is such an important next step towards the vision Te Waiohua has for restoring this space,” she said.
“Returning this land to its natural state of a healthy wetland and ngahere will help realise the intent of Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui to return ora to the people and places of Te Puhinui.
“We look forward to working with the project partners and local communities to embed Waiohua maatauranga in the design of this future park and awa regeneration,” she said.
Councillor for Manurewa-Papakura ward, Angela Dalton said she was delighted the sale has been confirmed.
“The purchase of this wetland site has always been part of the vision of the Transform Manukau programme, and I am beyond thrilled that we now have this final piece of the puzzle in place.”
“This project has not only bought the community together but empowered them to participate in its delivery and it is immensely satisfying for our whole community to reach this milestone goal. Now our work continues in earnest to make the most of this connection and ensure it’s a place to be proud of, not only for those who call Manukau home, but all Aucklanders. I look forward to hearing more from the community over the coming years as to how to make the best use of this land,” said Cr Dalton.
Manurewa-Papakura ward Councillor Newman added “The purchase of the wetland is a game-changer for Te Puhinui Stream and an opportunity to significantly reinvest back into what has become a largely urbanised catchment that flows into the Manukau Harbour.”
“I want to thank Eke Panuku for its collaboration to ensure that purchase can take place. This will ensure the progress of vital restorative work as we work to clean up our urban streams, which has been a high priority for mana whenua, the Manurewa Local Board and the wider community.
“I note also the work of Manurewa MP Arena Williams, who is working to champion restoration workstreams, so there is a real coming together of leaders and organisations who are willing to take action for Te Puhinui Stream,” said Cr Newman.
