Te Ara Tukutuku

Te Ara Tukutuku places people and traditional Māori wisdom at the core of its design process. The reimagined area at the northern section of Wynyard Point in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand) boasts breathtaking vistas overlooking the Waitematā harbor and the city. It will offer new opportunities for accessing the water’s edge, feature varied terrain, and accommodate spaces for activities like nursery, marine education, and events. Over the course of the next ten years, Te Ara Tukutuku will progressively evolve into an inviting and stunning waterfront destination, poised to be a catalyst for indigenous-led landscape transformation.

Over the upcoming decade, Te Ara Tukutuku is set to undergo a remarkable transformation. Envisioned as one of the most enchanting waterfront destinations in the region, Te Ara Tukutuku will redefine the conventional concept of public spaces. When it opens to the public, it will evolve into a vibrant green space, fostering a connection and harmony between Tangaroa (god of the sea) and Papatūānuku (mother earth).

This former petrochemical site reclamation will be converted into a 25-acre mixed-use development and waterfront park, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Mana Whenua (local Māori tribes and sub-tribes closely associated with the project’s location). SCAPE is collaborating with a diverse design collective, working in co-design with Mana Whenua and Eke Panuku Development Auckland, a council-controlled organization responsible for urban rejuvenation in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Four key kaupapa (principles) will guide the transformation of Wynyard Point:

• Te Wakatupu I Ō Tātou Hapori / Growing Our Communities
• Ā Tātou Whakarite Mō Ngā Wāhi Tū Wātea / Enhancing Our Public Open Space Journey
• Te Wheako I Te Taha Moana / Celebrating A Waterfront Experience
• Te Manaakitanga / Building on Our Hosting Legacy

Toi Waihanga—the design collective appointed to bring this vision to life—is comprised of LandLAB, SCAPE, Mott McDonald (supported by DONE), BECA, Stellar Projects, Warren and Mahoney, and Fresh Concept.

Te Ara Tukutuku is a name used for waka (canoe) ramps. It is a metaphor for the binding of the land and the sea, between the domains of Tangaroa and Papatūānuku.

Learn more:

• Visit the project website
• Watch an interview with Kate Orff, Founding Principal in Stuff