Ūrunga Plaza
Image used with permission from David St George
Ūrunga Plaza and the adjacent promenade is a new public space that will connect the entire waterfront and viaduct harbour promenade for the first time.
Previously this working wharf supported industrial and marine uses, and was the location of the Team New Zealand base. In 2011 the site was rezoned, and the developer Fu Wah built Auckland’s first 5-star Park Hyatt hotel. Surrounding the Park Hyatt is Ūrunga Plaza, named by Ngāti Whātua and the Waitematā Local Board.
Ūrunga, when directly translated to English means ‘entry’, and this name has a point of entry theme that follows the notion of the adjoining Karanga Plaza, which means ‘welcome’.
Inspired by the timber milling history of the site, a series of recycled and sustainably sourced timber stacks have been arranged in a wave-like formation to create a dynamic and engaging place for visitors to enjoy views to the harbour and city, complimented by a series of rain gardens and native coastal planting and tree species.
The woodstack street furniture feature is made out of recycled purple heart benches from Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct, combined with new FSC certified (sustainably sourced) Tonka hardwood. Plants in the area will be native kiwi flora.