Multimodal exploring around Tāmaki Makaurau No.2
A deeper look into urbanism and transport I checked out during my multimodal adventures
This article continues the multimodal exploring series that I started earlier this month. In this series, I look deeper into what I checked in urbanism and transport during my multimodal adventures, with the one discussed in this article, done on the previous Saturday.
The adventure started with a train ride on the Eastern Line from Waitematā Station, delivering gorgeous views of Ōrākei Basin and Rangitoto on a sunny Saturday. I tagged off at Sylvia Park, where on the foot of the shopping centre's northern boundary is Resido: Kiwi Property's build-to-rent development that is currently under construction, due to be completed in May.
The development consists of 295 apartments in 3 buildings with a variety of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with features like a resident lounge, gym, bike share, EV charging and co-working facilities. The development is the doorstop to major amenities in Sylvia Park shopping centre and public transport with the Sylvia Park train station and buses to the south, west and eastern suburbs.
Following that, along the shared path on the South Eastern Highway and Waikaraka Cycleway, I had a look at The Onehunga Mall Club, a recently completed mixed-use development located in the heart of Onehunga. The development delivered 102 homes consisting of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments with retail space on the ground floor fronting Onehunga Mall. The development is close to Onehunga Train Station, shops and its door on Upper Municipal Place where the bus interchange for frequent buses to the city centre and west, south and eastern suburbs.
On the Southwestern Path, new wayfinding has been installed as part of AT's recent expansion of wayfinding infrastructure along Tāmaki Makaurau's cycling routes. The wayfinding is easy to read and understand with the signs showing where the schools, parks and other amenities are along the routes, maps showing where the cycling routes are separated, shared paths, quiet routes etc. The signs are bilingual with English and Te Reo Māori. It's great to see the use of Te Reo on our wayfinding infrastructure and I enjoy learning new kupu (words) while on my paihikara (bike) along te ara paihikara (cycleways) and ara ngātahi (shared paths) around the tāone (city).
I went off Te Ara o Te Māuru mā Tonga (the Southwestern Path) briefly to do a loop around the Roskill South neighbourhood where new state and affordable homes are being built as part of Kāinga Ora's large-scale development program. The Roskill South neighbourhood will see 260 aging state homes replaced with 910 new homes, with 310 being new state homes alongside affordable homes, Kiwibuild, rentals and market homes.
The development saw the new addition of a green space called Freeland Reserve, which has seen a stream daylighted to improve the area’s resilience during stormwater events, new pathways to connect the neighbourhoods to schools and the Southwestern Path by walk, bike and scooter. The neighbourhood is close to bus stops for the 24B (May Rd) and 25L (Dominion Rd).
Back on the Southwestern Path, I turn off at Sandringham Rd and biked along the paths next to Te Auaunga Oakley Creek to check out the Ōwairaka neighbourhood. In this neighbourhood, Kāinga Ora is replacing 200 state homes with 1000 homes with a mix of apartments, townhouses and standalone homes located close to schools, green space and recreational areas at Murray Halberg Park.
Two major developments in the neighbourhood that are currently under construction on Richardson Rd are the 3 apartment buildings built using modular construction methods (built with pods manufactured off-site) on the Richardson Rd/Hendon Ave intersection by Kāinga Ora, when completed the buildings will deliver 108 new homes. Another one is the build-to-rent development on the Richardson Rd/Range View Rd intersection by Simplicity Living, which will deliver 51 apartments.
Both apartment buildings alongside the rest of the homes delivered in the Ōwairaka neighbourhood are within walking distance to bus stops for the 24R bus, connections to the Southwestern Path and a 10 min bike ride to Mt Albert train station.
I biked to the top of Ōwairaka Mt Albert with views around Tāmaki Makaurau, going down the other side of Ōwairaka to head north along Mt Albert and Carrington Rd. Where I pass the works for Carrington (UNITEC) housing development, a large-scale housing development when completed will be home to up to 4,000 homes. Significant infrastructure to support the development is under construction with some completed including upgrades to Farm Rd with raised crossings and part of a bi-directional cycleway have been recently completed.
More infrastructure will be built to support the development, including plans by AT to upgrade Carrington Rd with bus lanes to improve the reliability of the 66 and Outer Link, raised signalised crossings and protected bike lanes to make it safer to travel to Mt Albert train station and connect the Northwestern Path by bike. Improvements will also be made to improve the resilience against stormwater events with rain gardens, swales and new street trees being added. Construction for these improvements is estimated to start in late 2025.
Early works have started for the first building to be built as part of the developments first stage called Toi from Ockham, which will deliver 65 apartments consisting of a range of studios, 1, 2 and 3- 3-bedroom apartments with a communal lounge and bike storage.
For more about the Carrington development, I recommend reading the article below by Malcolm McCracken from Better Things Are Possible.
Over the Northwestern Motorway and at the corner of Point Chevalier/Great North Rd, where 61 apartments are under construction by Kāinga Ora. Like the development discussed above at Richardson Rd, this development is also constructed using modular pods.
These apartments will be for residents on the public waiting list who are over the age of 55 with a communal lounge and outdoor space for the residents. The apartments are across from shops, supermarkets and Point Chevalier Library. The apartments are close to the Northwestern Path and bus stops for the 18, 66 and Outer Link, with the latter two in front and across the road.
Heading north on Point Chevalier Rd and turning right onto Meola Rd, where the road is being rebuilt as part of improvements for buses, pedestrians and cyclists from Point Chevalier to Westmere. The improvements will include separated cycleways, improved bus stops, raised crossings and traffic calming. Other improvements being made are undergrounding power cables, stormwater and drainage improvements and public realm improvements with new trees, landscaping and seating.
Following that, I biked to the Northwestern Path via MOTAT and went back to the city centre, where the adventure concluded.
Thanks Eleanor! Point Chev to Westmere is still happening and is expected to be completed in either late 2024 or early 2025. Carrington Rd is currently at the design stage with draft designs to be released later this year. The Carrington Rd improvements is funded by the government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund and unless any changes happens to that funding, it should proceed along the timeline planned.
Thanks Shaun .
Good positive reading . I live in Avondale and look forward to the Unitech build . I cycle thru the area to get onto the cycle pathway to the city on Carrington Rd. it's going to be great ..but I feel a little anxious about all the stopping of pedestrian / cycle / bus works happing in Auckland . Are the projects you have written about and started going to be completed ?? . Great Story .thanks