Auckland waterfront 2040

Developing the vision

The aim of this vision is to develop an overarching framework for the whole of the CBD waterfront area. It has a long-term planning horizon out to 2040, reflecting the need to consider the staging and timing of future changes.

Following the adoption of the vision, more detailed planning work focusing on specific precincts or parts of the waterfront will be undertaken, and will align and fit in with the principles of the vision.

The draft vision, Linking people, city and sea, was released for public consultation in February 2005, with approximately 850 people providing feedback.

In August and September 2005, a second round of consultation focused on giving people the opportunity to provide more detailed feedback on the future of the wider waterfront area. More than 200 people participated in three in-depth and interactive workshops held during this time.

The idea of an overarching framework for the waterfront area is not new, and the vision takes into account the existing planning direction set out in regional and local planning documents and earlier research, projects and processes.

Existing planning direction as set out in regional and local planning documents, along with the previous joint projects and processes has been essential to the development of the waterfront vision and strategy. The key documents include:

Statement of Desired Outcomes for the Auckland Waterfront, Auckland Regional Council, 2005
Development with Vision and Auckland CBD into the Future, Auckland City Council, 2004
The 11-point-plan for Auckland's CBD waterfront, Auckland City Council, 2003
Auckland Waterfront Advisory Group, 2002
Harbour Edge Project, Auckland City Council, 1989
Port Development Plan for Auckland, Ports of Auckland Limited, 1989
Regional Strategies including Regional Growth Strategy, Regional Land Transport Strategy, Regional Economic Development Strategy, Auckland Regional Council
Auckland City District Plan, Auckland City Council
Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal, Auckland, Auckland Regional Council.

Where we've come from

In 1989 the development of a strategy for the waterfront began to gain momentum and the joint Harbour Edge Strategy and Port Development Plan for Auckland were published.

Over the past 15 years, significant work has been done to implement parts of these strategies.

The waterfront has undergone dramatic changes during that time including:

hosting two America's Cup events in Viaduct Harbour (2000, 2003)
redevelopment of the entire Viaduct Harbour with new public spaces, apartments, restaurants, cafes, bars and businesses (1995 - 2004)
redevelopment of Princes Wharf with a new hotel (The Hilton), apartments, bars and restaurants (1999 - 2001)
expansion of New Zealand's largest container terminal at Fergusson Wharf (2004)
opening of the Britomart passenger transport terminal with rail returning to downtown area and linking with ferries and buses(2003)
beginning the redevelopment of the Britomart precinct (2004).

In 2004, Ports of Auckland sold Westhaven Marina. As the new owner, Auckland City aims to create more public amenities as well as make the marina more appealing to visitors. To keep the momentum, Auckland City consulted on draft concepts for the marina at the same time as the wider waterfront vision.

Auckland City also entered into a management agreement with America's Cup Village Ltd (ACVL) for the America's Cup bases in late 2003 with plans to establish a marine events centre. Events such as Fashion Week have been held there recently.