In its role as lead Auckland Council agency in Onehunga, Panuku Development Auckland will enable the development of high quality public realm, mixed styles of housing close to the town centre, improved public transport and better connections to the Manukau Harbour. Recent Auckland Council (AC), Auckland Transport (AT) and New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) investment in the area includes:

• $30m in the Taumanu Reserve project
• $1.2m upgrade to Onehunga Mall
• Transport investment including the rail station, walking and cycling facilities upgrades
• SH20 roading improvements and connections to the Western Ring Route by NZTA

Auckland Council agreed in December 2015 that Onehunga should be a Transform location, due to a number of features that it offered, including that:

• There was a high level of Local Board planning, political and community support for change in this area
• It is a strategic town centre location, with good accessibility to public transport and is infrastructure-enabled
• It has strategic Auckland Council and Crown landholdings that can be used to achieve increased growth and density capacity as a result of redevelopment
• There is a good level of market attractiveness for residential development, with market demand for different housing types (terrace, apartments)
• Its location on the Manukau Harbour and future potential around Onehunga Wharf which could provide increased connectivity to the water, which is a desired community outcome.

The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board identified Onehunga town centre as being key to the delivery of its Local Board Plan with a desire for:

• A thriving town centre that reflects and meets the needs of the local community
• Transport that meets the community and businesses’ needs
• Successful businesses and good jobs for local people
• A built environment that strengthens the community and reinforces heritage and local character.

These community aspirations align with the Auckland Plan's vision of Auckland as the world’s most liveable city.

There are currently several council-owned sites in Onehunga town centre that are either being under-utilised or have been identified as not needed. There is also a range of different community facilities that could be consolidated into new developments.

This land, along with the later potential of Onehunga Wharf, provide an opportunity to deliver a redevelopment at a scale not envisaged previously in Onehunga. Discussions with the Local Board have indicated they are supportive of this.

Onehunga was approved for development as a Transform location by the Auckland Development Committee in December 2015 after a selection process.

Panuku will ‘transform’ locations by creating change through urban regeneration. Panuku will lead the transformation of selected parts of our region; working alongside others and using our custodianship of land and planning expertise. The catalytic work Waterfront Auckland led at Wynyard Quarter is a great example of the transformation of urban locations.

The over-arching plan for the redevelopment (known as the High Level Project Plan or HLPP) was approved by Auckland Council’s Planning Committee on 28 March 2017.

The HLPP outlines the key moves needed to achieve the vision for a flourishing suburb that is well connected to its past, its communities and the environment.

Committee approval now gives Panuku the mandate to lead the redevelopment of strategic council-owned land and work in partnership with the Government and others to deliver positive outcomes for the local community.

Panuku will now establish a Framework Plan for the project area that will guide the delivery of the key outcomes over a 25-year period, which will be ready in mid 2018.

There are still a number of uncertainties that will impact on the timing and nature of development, including the proposed East West Link being led by NZTA.

However Panuku will initially focus on building on Onehunga’s existing strengths and revitalising the town centre. In the short to medium-term, Panuku plans to use a number of under-utilised and surplus sites to create a more concentrated core, a proposal well-supported by local businesses and landowners.

This will facilitate the development of high-quality public spaces, mixed styles of housing, better public transport connections and pedestrian amenities.

Panuku will look to collaborate with other major property owners in Onehunga, including the private sector and Housing New Zealand, to deliver employment opportunities, more diverse housing to meet demand, safe and accessible public spaces and improved access to community services, public transport and facilities. 

The opportunity around opening up access to and redeveloping the Onehunga Wharf is a medium term proposition which will happen in earnest once the East West Link is completed.

Panuku will work with a range of agencies and stakeholders, including mana whenua and the public. We encourage interaction and participation and we will ensure that quality developments reflect Onehunga’s rich cultural and historical inheritance.