Te Pā Harakeke

Client: Nelson City Council

Collaborators: Nelmac, Stantec, Department of Conservation

Key Project Challenges

● Dealing with the residue of toxic sludge onsite

● Working with the estuarine environment

● Filtering debris from seawater coming in on the tide

● Ensuring the existing model train track continued to be operational

● Relocating fish and eels in the pond and euthanising invasive species

Key Achievements

Transforming a stagnant, algaedominated pond, formerly known as the Modellers Pond, into an engaging and attractive play and recreation area that works with the area’s estuarine environment.

The name Te Pā Harakeke was gifted by local iwi and is resonant with meaning as harakeke (flax) grows in whānau lots sheltering the young growth at the centre. The whānau of harakeke is stronger together and the name signals that the area will be a place for whānau.