Introducing Auckland’s Newest Civic Space

Te Komititanga – the name gifted to Auckland’s newest civic space in downtown Auckland by Mana Whenua – has officially been accepted by the Waitematā Local Board.

The new square, completed as part of CRL works, is located in lower Queen Street – in between the Chief Post Office building in Britomart and the new Commercial Bay.

The name means ‘to mix’ or ‘to merge’ in Te Reo Māori and refers to the confluence of two bodies of water; Wai Horotiu, the stream that once ran down Queen Street, and the Waitematā Harbour. It also references the mixing or merging of people as they commute through the city using the nearby train, ferry and bus services.

The renaming of the square won’t affect surrounding street addresses; however it will help to give the square its own unique identity as a destination of civic importance. A similar example would be Aotea Square which is a well-known destination, is of civic importance, and doesn’t affect neighbouring addresses.

With a fitting name comes an equally meaningful streetscape. There are over 137,000 pavers that make up the square – these have been constructed to depict the waves of the Waitematā coming to shore on the northern end, while the southern end design shows the meandering of the Wai Horotiu stream. In front of the Chief Post Office entrance is the whāriki, a welcome mat collaboratively designed by Mana Whenua weavers to depict a traditional woven harakeke (flax) mat. The whāriki facilitates a meeting point; of two waters, of past and present, of people.

The square is being built at part of C1 – one of CRL’s first contracts being built by Downer NZ & Soletanche-Bachy Joint Venture.