| 3 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Isthmus T T Sue Russell Transformation of Rotorua lakefront A series of bridges, Te Ara Tukutuku, provide access to the boardwalk inviting people to experience the views across water to Mokoia Island. Aotearoa design practice Isthmus Group is part of a team behind the rather wonderful transformation of Rotorua’s Lakefront. Gifted to the crown by Ngāti Whakaue in the 1890’s the area bordering the lake and the city was in need of revitalisation. As a space it lacked a living connection to mana whenua values. Catalyst for the ambitious project - officially opened in March - was Rotorua Lakes Council’s success in accessing $20million of Provincial Growth Funding planning of which got underway in 2018 through an open tender process. Isthmus were selected to lead the design process in collaboration with a team of environmental planners brought together in a Council steering group and project advisory group. As part of a wider team, Isthmus Associate Landscape Architect Travis McGee took on the project working on it over many years of consultation Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa Lakes Trust. “We knew how much this area was valued by the community and mana whenua alike so it was incredibly important to consult really thoroughly and engage a wide audience in what this space could become,” Travis says. Considered a national taonga the design team set about to express, through landscape and architectural design, a modern expression of how the foreshore was used hundreds of years ago. As one of Rotorua Lakes Council’s ‘Big Moves’ to breath life into the city, developing a world-class lakefront experience which would bring cultural and economic benefits to the city underpinned how the design elements arose. To tell Rotorua’s stories a co-design process with Ngāti Whakaue began with hikoi across the site so that those involved in its ultimate design could deepen their understanding of its historical context and the mana it holds to local Māori. Significant to this conversation was the movement of Kōura (freshwater Crayfish) from one end of the bay at Ohinemutu to the other at Motutara (sulphur point). “We sought to express the bringing together of people, their connection to the lake and the land by developing a 5m wide boardwalk which arcs from one end of the bay to the other. The boardwalk straddles both lake and land, allowing locals to re-engage with the water and access the lake for recreation, while reflecting the forms, colours and textures which are unique to Rotorua.” Along the lakefront Mahi toi (created artforms) were designed by Ngāti Whakaue and local master carver Lyonel Grant. Each end of the boardwalk has a different feel to it, with the western end a space for water-based activities such as waka ama while the eastern end has a more reflective quiet sense to it. A series of bridges, Te Ara Tukutuku, provide access to the boardwalk inviting people to experience the views across water to Mokoia Island. A destination playground, designed as a play boulevard connects lake to city. At last year’s Central Property Awards, the Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment received two awards: The Colliers Project Leaders Supreme Excellence Award and the Chow:Hill Urban Design Award. Travis says that key to the project’s success has been Council’s confidence in allowing the design team to be bold. “I’m very pleased with what has been created. We were able to hold on to the project vision throughout all the years of design and construction. It’s a very special, inviting and valuable space for locals and visitors to enjoy.” Campbell Infrastructure is built on the hard work of many talented individuals collaborating over the years to create efficient systems and deliver outstanding results. We have placed a high priority on maintaining, growing, and improving our fleet in service of our core values which focus on service, quality, and accountability. • Residential Services • Commercial Services • Concrete Recycling • Aggregate supply • Haulage • Demolition 07 348 7736 office@campbellcontracting.co.nz 53 Geddes Road, Koutu, Rotorua 3010 Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 5pm
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