A dawn blessing has been held to acknowledge the completion of Auckland Council’s Lagoon Edge Reserve upgrade project in Panmure.
The project – developed in collaboration with the Auckland Council Parks & Community Facilities team, the Maungakiekie- Tāmaki Local Board and Ngati Paoa – includes new seating, picnic tables, drinking fountains, new public toilets, a skatepark spectator area and increased lighting.
The upgrade works have also created more reserve space, improved pathways, new landscaping, and more native trees.
The project includes designs from artist Lorna Rikihana (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Wairere). These embody themes of pāwharā ika (sun dried fish rich in nutrients), the importance of a balanced salt diet and freshly cultivated vegetables from the Mauinaina maara kai & Mokoia Pā tūwatawata, and of Kaitiakitanga of Te Wai Mokoia and Te Waiōtaiki, to ensure the purity of the water emanating from Maungarei into Te Puna o Rangiātea which then flows into salt water of the Panmure Basin. The area was previously an inshore fishery and shelter for canoes.
Auckland Council says the works are part of a wider plan for Panmure that looks to help contribute to it as a thriving town centre.
“There are several projects getting underway over the next few years as part of this plan, including the upgrade of Lagoon Edge Reserve, a town square on Queens Road, better walking and cycling connections with Maungarei and future residential developments,” Council said in a statement.
