How Te Rimutahi came about

The need for more open space in Ponsonby was identified in 2000. The former Auckland City Council purchased the site in 2006 to meet this need.

In 2014, the Waitematā Local Board began a community-led design process for the development. Ongoing involvement from the local community played a key role in the development of the project.

The local board considered several concept design options and appointed LandLab as the lead designers in August 2023. LandLab then worked with tangata whenua The indigenous people of the land. to further develop the concept design.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei played a key role in the development of the design.

• The vertical steel pou (pole) at the Ponsonby Road entrance to Te Rimutahi creates a presence and cultural identity within the street. The rimu tree inspired the forms, patterning, textures, ecology and colour palette.
• The perforation design up the pou reflects the rau (leaves) and the pūrerehua (moth) - the species Isonomeutis amauropa found in rimu-dominated forests. The larvae cocoon themselves under the bark of the tree. The story of the moth symbolises the connection to marama Moon. , rimu ecologies and the wider context of the site.
• The garden bed geometry, layering and terracing of the site represents Maungawhau / Mount Eden.
• The ground plane Paved ground. patterning represents wai Water. pppWater. movement and circular inlays of the nearby Waikuta and Tunamau streams.
• The pre-existing canopy covers the wānanga (education space). The ceiling lights represent whetū (stars/constellations) and Ranginui (sky father). The ground plane lighting reflects the relationship and connection to Papatūānuku (earth mother).

Visit the Te Rimutahi at 254 Ponsonby Rd website to learn more about:

• how it all started
• the different stages of the project
• who was involved.