Te Ara Awataha Greenway (Northcote, Auckland)

In Te Ara Awataha (Northcote), designers pulled a historically piped stream back to the surface. They engineered the surrounding landscape with terraced floodplains and lowered recreational parklands. During a cloudburst, these parklands intentionally flood, temporarily acting as storage basins to keep high-velocity floodwaters away from adjacent high-density housing

Linking Northcote town centre’s existing parks and open spaces this new 1.5km long green corridor takes an integrated approach to infrastructure. Daylighting the stream brings back local identity and controls the flow of stormwater, while the lowered sports fields combines stormwater detention with recreation to protect against flood events—a design feature that immediately proved its value in the storms of 2023

Te Ara Awataha is an integral part of Isthmus’ wider masterplan for Northcote that has guided major investment in housing, community infrastructure and the town centre by Auckland Council, Eke Panuku and Kāinga Ora. The greenway is characterised by the physical presence of the Awataha Stream which has it source / puna in Papa ki Awataha Reserve and flows, mostly piped, into the Waitematā Harbour.

Through a process of regenerative design with mana whenua kaitiaki the project identified the potential to daylight the stream to support a place-based identity in an increasingly urbanised environment, and control the flow to assist with stormwater management

This has shaped the integrated mauri outcomes for the Greenway with a focus on health and wellbeing for Northcote as it develops. The design draws on established community aspirations for a fun, friendly, inclusive, safe, distinctive and healthy place for everyone to share and be proud of.

Shared spaces included sheltered rest areas for relaxation and socialisation while the path safely connects the community to local destinations, including schools, homes, playspaces, and the town centre. In addition to enhancing the ecological habitat the greenway also offers a place to learn about the natural world through artistic expression and mātauranga māori native planting and stories about Tāmaki’s natural landscape.

The various open spaces connected by the greenway all have different functions, varying from neighbourhood pocket parks and play spaces to active sport and recreation. There is an outdoor classroom and stream measuring and monitoring stations along with a nature play trail which weaves back and forth across the stream offering an interactive journey.

Aho toi is the cultural cohesion that comes from weaving the strands in a way that is unique to Northcote and its people. It is the act of empowering the community through the creation of the greenway, with each of its unique parts expressing character and diversity. As well as providing ongoing opportunities for community involvement, ownership, and care.

Aho tangata refers to social cohesion and is the strand that connects people to each other and to nature. To support a healthy, resilient, and inclusive community. The Greenway is a shared backyard for the people of Northcote through growth and change.

Aho taiao supports healthy land, water and habitat. It showcases the stories of the whenua (land) and the wai (water) in the context of wider ecological and spiritual systems. The Awataha Stream corridor should be green, resilient and ecologically healthy, supporting the return of fish, birds and wildlife to Northcote as urban development continues.

“A project that demonstrates a regard for all four dimensions of well-being”