The park and wider area is very important to mana whenua and has played a significant role in the history of the city.
It was part of Te Aro Pā, one of the largest settlements in Te Whanganui-a-Tara prior to colonisation. Waimāpihi Awa flowed through here – and still does in pipes under the park.
Te Aro Pā Trust wants to see the park rejuvenated in a way that will restore its wairua and lift its mana. It’s one of the few remaining public outdoor spaces that was once part of a pā.
We are also looking at ways to improve Dixon Street, integrate it with the park and create more space for people. This will include proposals for a safer east/ west biking connection from Courtenay Place/ Taranaki Street to Willis Street in line with Paneke Pōneke, the city's bike network plan.
Upgrades in this area, if approved, will help make this part of the city safer, and more appealing.
The proposed improvements will build on the positive changes and opportunities for outdoor dining and seating already being provided by the temporary changes made to Dixon Street in 2022. They will be designed to achieve mana whenua aspirations, and balance business, public and customer needs.
Urban design improvements linked with the past and fit for the future
When the interim improvements to the area were initiated, the scope was focused on the removal of the public toilets from the park, upgrading the area around them, and improving sightlines and connectivity into the park through the transitional work on Dixon Street.
This next stage is exploring broader possibilities.
With Te Aro Park being one of the last pieces of open space within the historic pā area, and home to Te Waimāpihi artwork which represents links to the awa of the same name, there has been co-design with mana whenua, which will continue. One of the key aspirations is to strengthen the connection of uri (descendants) with the whenua.
We also held engagement workshops in October and November 2022 with children, youth, local residents and businesses to hear their aspirations for the park.
We will use the information from these workshops, alongside the direction given by mana whenua and more discussion with local businesses and residents, to create an integrated draft design solution.
This will prioritise:
- public space
- safety and accessibility
- lifting the mana of the area.
What’s next
At a meeting in May 2025, Kōrau Tūāpapa, the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee, agreed planning and engagement should continue.
A Committee of the newly elected Council will consider a business case, draft designs and aspirations for Te Aro Park in February 2026 and decide whether they want the project to progress.
Find out more about the project and next steps in the 8 May 2025 Committee report and decision.
Background
This project came about through the Pōneke Promise in response to safety issues identified in the Te Aro Park – Assessing Harm report. You can read more about how plans for this area align with our City Safety and Wellbeing Plan, in the City Safety and Wellbeing section.
Dixon Street temporary improvements
The first stage of improving this area involved temporary changes to Dixon Street that were completed in late 2022.
You can read more about what was done in our news section: New and improved Dixon Street open for business.
Work included:
- Widening the footpath along the northern side of Dixon Street with wooden decking. This better connects the park with the surrounding area and improves sightlines to and from the park.
- Installing planters which has helped encourage safe speeds, clearly defines the street and pedestrian space, and improves the look and feel of this area.
- Converting some on-street parking spaces to ‘parklets’ which is supporting businesses and providing outdoor dining space.
See photos of the Dixon Street improvements below.