Te Ti¯ Tutahi stands proudly in photographs taken of early Newmarket, top left, and when the 40th South ¯ Lancashire Regiment encamped there in the 1860s. Above, Te Ti¯ Tutahi descendants in Teed St today. ¯
CABBAGE TREE LANES A piece of Newmarket’s history has been restored as part of a revamped Teed St. Māori called the area, particularly the south of the current Newmarket, Te Tī Tūtahi – “the cabbage tree standing alone” or “the cabbage tree of singular importance”. The name referenced a tree that stood on the corner of Mortimer Pass and Broadway until 1908, although other references have it at Clovernook Rd and Broadway. Some of the cabbage trees returned during Teed St’s refresh, undertaken as part of Waitematā Local Board’s Newmarket Laneways Plan, are directly descended from Te Tī Tūtahi. Alfred Buckland, one of colonial Auckland’s most substantial land owners (and a notable businessman and prolific parent) was the owner of Highwic on Gillies Ave, his grand home with his 21 children by two wives. Buckland took seed from the cabbage tree, transferring plants around Newmarket, and as far away as his farm at Bucklands Beach. Auckland Council arborists and iwi sourced progeny, and selected other plants for their suitability for an urban environment, seasonal display, growing habits, and cultural significance. While the cabbage trees acknowledge Newmarket’s history, the gardens feature an innovative urban landscaping technique, “bio-retention” rain gardens, designed to help improve stormwater quality. The Teed St upgrade is one of the projects identified in the Newmarket Laneways Plan, and the design was developed after public feedback, site investigations, and property and business consultation. Common themes included support for wider footpaths, trees, public seating and an activity zone supporting outdoor dining. Left with a network of narrow pathways, relics of the area’s light industrial past, pedestrians were forced to squeeze by cars. New paths have more than doubled in width, from 1.6 metres to 3.8 metres on the northern side, and from 2.3 metres to 5.5 metres on the southern, creating a safe and pedestrian-friendly area. New street furniture dots the space, outdoor dining capacity is increased, native trees and shrubs have been extensively planted, and a Ray Haydon sculpture graces the street.
“It’s a beautiful and welcoming space that can only add to the area’s quality reputation,” says Waitematā Local Board chair, Pippa Coom. “Teed St and Newmarket are premier shopping venues, so continuing to create more people-friendly, accessible spaces is critical to our shopper experience.” p
MORE GOOD SPORTS FROM OUR SCHOOLS
Two local schools are celebrating more sporting success. St Cuthbert’s College 2017 Year 13 student and Black Stick, Madi Doar, was named Young Sportswoman of the Year at the 27th annual College Sport Auckland Young Sportsperson of the Year awards in late November. Doar could not be at the awards herself, as she was away preparing for the Black Sticks Women’s World League semi-final against England. Her award was accepted on her behalf
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