This project represents a complex public realm transformation of a historic downtown waterfront street, which included the transformation of three city blocks from a traffic congested 6x lane through-route – a severing of the city to its waterfront,  to a ‘place’ for people and the environment whilst optimising walking & cycling, traffic, servicing and public transport.

Quay Street provides an immersive, emergent, dynamic and memorable waterfront street that amplifies the overlapping ecologies of nature, city, economy and culture at the intersection of ‘Tāmaki’ (city) and the ‘Waitematā’ (sea).

The project seeks to create a new, generous and welcoming destination along the City Centre waterfront edge that is recognisably Tāmaki Makaurau. The aim of the project is to create a people-focused space which strengthens the connection between Te Waitematā and the City Centre’s built form.

Quay Street (Re)Connects Wynyard Quarter to Tāmaki Drive (east-west) and city to sea (north-south). Showcasing native vegetation. Exceeds ecological/stormwater treatment standards. Demonstrates best practice with site-specific innovation. Reinforcing the Mauri ‘life force’ of the waterfront.

• Pedestrian space enhanced from 40 to 70 %

• Vehicle space reduced from 60 to 30 %

• Vehicle Lanes reduced from 6 to 2 x lanes

• Traffic volume reduced from 1600 to 800vph

• 100% of surface run-off treated before entering the harbour