48 | DEVELOPMENT MADE Group Ltd: Auranga T T Karen Phelps Auranga development continues apace Situated in Karaka Drury, on the water’s edge of Manukau Harbour’s Pahurehure Inlet. the Auranga township currently covers 160 hectares with the potential to triple in size. Auranga is continuing to grow with around 500 homes already built. A major milestone has just been reached with the completion of the boulevard and main road that forms the spine of the development. “That’s symbolic as it’s a long road and unlocks the whole development. It was opened a few months ago,” says Auranga developer Charles Ma from MADE Group. “In terms of land development 1500 sections have been completed with more underway.” Auranga, which means ‘a life force that inspires’, is the first master-planned community in the rapidly growing region of Drury on the outskirts of Auckland – Tāmaki Makaurau. Charles says the aim is for Auranga to be both a local and a global benchmark for city creation. It’s a bold vision and one that is defined by inclusive values and innovative practices, and “Auranga is the first movers in terms of new development setting the tone for quality and the kind of life that can be lived out here.” designed around shared, intuitive, and caring spaces to create more liveable communities. Kindness, wellness and connectedness are qualities at the core of Auranga to help people become whole again, says Charles. Auranga has been designed to bring people together with a network of walkways, cycleways and pedestrian-friendly streets weaving every part of the community together, and open spaces where children can safely play. It’s also a factor in creating affordable living as thought has been given to how people can ditch their cars resulting in more time for fun and more money in their pockets. Auranga has been designed so that 75% of residents live within 500 metres (5-6 minutes’ walk) of local shops. Existing eco islands will connect to the last stages being developed right now. “The land of Auranga has direct access to these islands, which will also connect to the coastal walkway. We have replanted the islands to encourage birdlife and wildlife. In the middle of urban space it’s about making way for nature,” explains Charles. Auranga will include a village square so people can congregate together and temporary container hubs, while more permanent buildings are being constructed, including a café, Vision Hub, which will tell the immersive story of Auranga, and a Celebration Hub in conjunction with Unitec’s School of Architecture a platform of community-based engagement and impact, where people can, for example, hold cultural performances. Charles is in the process of refreshing these facilities in a project called Fresco. “Fresco will be a place for the heart and soul of Auranga to come alive in a time when people need hope most. That’s why we aim to do Fresco now to help,” says Charles. As Auranga continues to develop Charles says he is starting dialogue with potential supermarkets for the new town centre, which should commence construction later this year marking another significant milestone for the development. He says the real estate market in Drury is picking up again after a slow down during the pandemic. “Auranga is the first movers in terms of new development setting the tone for quality and the kind of life that can be lived out here. “Developers are re-zoning land and are moving into consenting and construction. The area is really about to take off.” An open day event will be held at Auranga on April 13 in the Sharewater town centre where people can enjoy the lake and glimpse what is coming for the next phase of Auranga as it continues to build to be a place of culture, connectivity and identity.
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