Upgrade to Auckland’s historic Myers Park aims to revitalise city centre

Upgrades to Auckland’s popular and historic Myers Park will begin in April, with the upgrade part of a wider programme of work happening to revitalise the midtown area and ensure the city centre is a vibrant place people are drawn to.

Downer New Zealand will be delivering this project on behalf of Auckland Council, having recently contributed to the complex Downtown Programme, which saw the transformation of Quay Street, new bus and ferry infrastructure and a new waterfront space called Te Wānanga.

By the end of summer 2022/23, the underpass connecting the city to the park will be transformed from a carpark to a welcoming public space. The underpass will feature artwork designed by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei), through partnership with mana whenua (Māori term for "people of the land"), providing an impressive new entranceway for the park.

A new staircase will lead to Queen Street, and new seating, lighting and native planting will make the park an inviting oasis in the city centre.

Waitematā and Gulf ward Councillor Pippa Coom says the park is already a well-loved space within the inner city and the investment by Auckland Council will be appreciated by both residents and visitors alike.

“Auckland's historic Myers Park sits at the heart of our city centre but the underpass has not made access easy for people.

“I was on the local board when it was first proposed to upgrade the underpass in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011 fan trail as it provides such an important pedestrian connection between the Aotea precinct and Karangahape Road via Myers Park.

“I am delighted to see the upgrade now going ahead which has been made possible through funding from the City Centre Targeted Rate and the Waitematā Local Board,” says Coom.

While the construction will mean changes to some of the park’s access points, the park will remain open for the public to enjoy throughout construction.  A Stakeholder Liaison Manager will be appointed by Downer as a point of contact for the local community.

The project will see the completion of Waitematā Local Board’s 2012 Development Plan for the park, says its Chair, Richard Northey.

“We are delighted that this project is now happening and will see the completion of the regeneration work we had planned for the park.

“With the splash pad and playground already well-loved features of the park, we are looking forward to finishing this work with the transformation of the underpass,” adds Northey.

Image courtesy Auckland Council