Te Ara Hou

Stage 1 Consultation Summary

Stage 1 engagement for the Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation Programme is now complete. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this consultation process. Just under 1400 pieces of feedback have now been analysed, revealing the community’s top six themes for the town centre and riverfront areas.

The top six themes are:

  1. Create spaces for activities and events, and encourage family-friendly activities
  2. Create and encourage pedestrian-friendly streets, alternative transport options and improve disability parking
  3. Connect to the river, create a wide promenade with hospitality and public facilities
  4. Retain car parking and/or change car parking facilities (including parking building/s)
  5. Enhance natural environment connections, promote green spaces and parks
  6. Greater recognition of local Māori culture and enhancing connections

This information will be used to inform concept designs for the town centre and riverfront that will be brought back to the community for a second round of engagement in 2021. The dates for this engagement will be publicised well in advance. Watch this space, or visit our Facebook page for updates.

Te Ara Hou is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the Whakatāne town centre and riverfront area, strengthen ties with each other and our awa, and create long-lasting social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits for our community and future generations.

This opportunity to reimagine Whakatāne is being made possible through a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council, with funding support through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Te Ara Hou is a key component of the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme which also includes the proposed Boat Harbour Development that was also successful in receiving PGF funding.

The first Te Ara Hou capital works project – the remediation of the Whakatāne Town Wharf, which literally sets the platform for realising the following two stages – is already underway. The other two physical projects are the creation of a town centre heart and riverfront promenade.

We're excited about the possibilities of Te Ara Hou and for the future of our place. We need your input to make sure the plan for the town centre heart and riverfront promenade truly reflects our community, and our collective aspirations and values.

Location of consultation sites within CBD

Site one - Town centre heart with adjoining commercial development

Establish a central destination that will draw people into the heart of our town, and reconnect with our natural and cultural landscapes. This will be edged by new commercial offerings to increase vibrancy, rejuvenate and grow our local economy.

Site two - Riverfront promenade

Create a seamless, open promenade adjoining our riverfront to connect our revitalised town centre to the emerging tourism precinct at the eastern end of town. This will provide a widened pedestrian friendly path to improve access to the river, enable our community to interact with the cultural and natural landscape and create spaces for events and recreational opportunities.

Further information

Stage 1 Consultation Summary

Stage 1 engagement for the Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation Programme is now complete. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this consultation process. Just under 1400 pieces of feedback have now been analysed, revealing the community’s top six themes for the town centre and riverfront areas.

The top six themes are:

  1. Create spaces for activities and events, and encourage family-friendly activities
  2. Create and encourage pedestrian-friendly streets, alternative transport options and improve disability parking
  3. Connect to the river, create a wide promenade with hospitality and public facilities
  4. Retain car parking and/or change car parking facilities (including parking building/s)
  5. Enhance natural environment connections, promote green spaces and parks
  6. Greater recognition of local Māori culture and enhancing connections

This information will be used to inform concept designs for the town centre and riverfront that will be brought back to the community for a second round of engagement in 2021. The dates for this engagement will be publicised well in advance. Watch this space, or visit our Facebook page for updates.

Te Ara Hou is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the Whakatāne town centre and riverfront area, strengthen ties with each other and our awa, and create long-lasting social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits for our community and future generations.

This opportunity to reimagine Whakatāne is being made possible through a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council, with funding support through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Te Ara Hou is a key component of the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme which also includes the proposed Boat Harbour Development that was also successful in receiving PGF funding.

The first Te Ara Hou capital works project – the remediation of the Whakatāne Town Wharf, which literally sets the platform for realising the following two stages – is already underway. The other two physical projects are the creation of a town centre heart and riverfront promenade.

We're excited about the possibilities of Te Ara Hou and for the future of our place. We need your input to make sure the plan for the town centre heart and riverfront promenade truly reflects our community, and our collective aspirations and values.

Location of consultation sites within CBD

Site one - Town centre heart with adjoining commercial development

Establish a central destination that will draw people into the heart of our town, and reconnect with our natural and cultural landscapes. This will be edged by new commercial offerings to increase vibrancy, rejuvenate and grow our local economy.

Site two - Riverfront promenade

Create a seamless, open promenade adjoining our riverfront to connect our revitalised town centre to the emerging tourism precinct at the eastern end of town. This will provide a widened pedestrian friendly path to improve access to the river, enable our community to interact with the cultural and natural landscape and create spaces for events and recreational opportunities.

Further information