Auckland City Council
Media release

12 October 2009

The CBD’s new urban oasis officially opens

St Patrick’s Square will be officially reopened by His Worship the Mayor, Hon John Banks on Saturday, 17 October to celebrate its transformation into the city’s new urban oasis.

St Patrick's Square is the only significant area of green open space between midtown and the waterfront and the upgrade has created a more attractive space for all to enjoy.

“The new square reflects what people - workers, residents and visitors - told us they wanted and the results are absolutely fantastic,” says Mayor Banks.

New water features, artworks by Auckland artists Steve Woodward and Mary-Louise Browne, high quality paving, seating areas, grass, trees and vegetation have transformed the square into a distinctive public space in the heart of the CBD.

The upgrade covers the entire area of St Patrick’s Square, located between Albert, Hobson, Swanson and Wyndham Streets, and complements the 2007 restoration of St Patrick's Cathedral.

“The upgrade celebrates the square's heritage and has transformed this important space into a place of respite from the hustle and bustle of the central city,” says Mr Banks.

Monsignor Bernard Kiely of St Patrick’s Cathedral has worked closely with the council project team and says he is delighted with the results. He believes it creates a much needed sanctuary of peace in the heart of the city.

Connal Townsend, chairperson of the CBD board says, “St Patrick's Square will now be a place where people can meet and socialise both day and night. The design of the space has really opened up the square, making it a great place for things like outdoor dining and events, which is great for business and for pleasure.”

The $9.2m upgrade, funded by the CBD targeted rate, began in August 2008 and is part of council's Auckland’s CBD into the Future strategy, a 10-year plan aimed at creating an urban centre that will attract a lively mix of business, residential and cultural activity.

A number of streets have already been successfully upgraded as part of the programme, including Queen Street, Lorne Street, Vulcan Lane, Quay Street, Karangahape Road, Swanson Street and lower Khartoum Place.

Aotea Square is currently being redeveloped, and further upgrades are planned for Elliott and Darby Streets, Lorne Street stage 2, the Fort Street area, O’Connell Street and Kitchener Street south.

“Residents, visitors and businesses can already see the real difference these upgrades are making to the look and feel of the CBD. The newly upgraded square is an excellent example of good urban design. Auckland city can pride itself on the increasing enhancement to the built environment,” says Mr Banks

The St Patrick’s Square opening day celebrations on 17 October are a great way for the local community and visitors alike to get together to enjoy all the new square has to offer.

Entertainment kicks off at noon with performances from a variety of music and cultural groups from Bayfield and Ponsonby primary schools. At 1pm, the square will be officially opened by the Mayor, Hon John Banks and be blessed by Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Monsignor Bernard. Live music from the talented MAINZ music students will follow. There will also be face painting for the kids and a fundraising sausage sizzle and Devonshire teas from St Patrick’s Cathedral. Local businesses Gaucho’s Café, The Grove and Ding How will also be open for food and refreshments.

For more information visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/cbd

St Patrick’s Square artworks

The square's history and cultural significance are reflected by artworks and elements within the landscaping. The artworks are:

step touch stone - A black granite sculpture by Auckland artist Steve Woodward will anchor the lower square and link it with St Patrick's Cathedral. Its twin inverted staircase elements allude to a travelling upwards and downwards, suggesting (among other things) light and dark, hope and despair, yin and yang. While the sculpture embraces the cathedral’s spirituality, it is open for interpretation by all cultures and beliefs and offers a focal point and place where people can reflect, remember and celebrate.

Font - Renowned Auckland artist Mary-Louise Browne’s stone text based art work surrounds the upper granite pool. The work is a meditation on time and eternity. The text is designed to be read in a circular manner as people physically move around the space. The pool aligns with the baptismal font inside St Patrick's cathedral. The work provides a connection between contemporary secular use of the square and its historical religious use. It provides a place for people to make their own connections and comparisons and to see the interaction through changes in spiritual sensibilities and poetic ideals.

Auckland’s CBD into the future strategy

Auckland City Council is investing a total of $965 million to transform and revitalise Auckland's CBD and the waterfront as part of a 10-year action plan that began in 2004

Part of this includes a streetscape and open space upgrade budget of $162.5 million, of which $81.5 million is from the CBD targeted rate.

Streetscapes and open places upgrade programme
In 2004, a 10-year programme to transform the CBD’s streets and open spaces into a high quality urban environment was developed by the council. Since then Queen Street, Quay Street, Lorne Street, Karangahape Road, Swanson Street, Vulcan Lane, Lower Khartoum Place and now St Patrick’s Square have been successfully upgraded. Aotea Square is currently under construction and the Elliott and Darby streets upgrade and Fort Street area upgrade have recently undertaken public consultation on draft designs. For more information on all these projects and to find out about upcoming upgrade projects visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/cbd

St Patrick’s Cathedral lighting

In September 2009, the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee approved funding for the St Patrick’s Cathedral lighting project. This was part of the original concept design for the Square and is expected to be completed in 2010.

ENDS

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