Final Te Hiku Revitalisation Project gets underway

A blessing delivered this morning (14 November) by Anglican Archdeacon Fran Hokianga at Kaitāia town square marked the start of the final stage of the wider Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Open Spaces Project. 

Work on the community-led project will see 20 meters of the former Pak ’n Save carpark blocked off to vehicles and transformed into a town square for central Kaitāia. Parking will remain behind the town square. The aim is to create a people-focused outdoor space with bollards at entrances to prevent vehicles entering. The goal is for the town square to become a multipurpose space that can be used for a variety of activities.

Local construction business, OS Construction, will be to be the lead contractor, with support from other local subcontractors, including Laser Electrical who will install smart poles around the space that combine lights, security cameras, power, and Wi-Fi. Stonecraft Construction will be responsible for removing much-loved mosaic tiles on existing walls. These will be stored and re-purposed at a later date within the beautification project. Stonecraft Construction will also design and build a water feature for the square.

Residents will begin to see progress on the new town square before Christmas with the addition of native plantings, tables and seating with shade umbrellas. Future amenities will include a bike stand, and room for mobile food carts. It is hoped that a café will be built on the site.

Wherever possible, pedestrian access will be maintained during construction process to ensure pedestrians can still access Commerce Street from the remaining carpark area behind the work site.

The award-winning Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Open Spaces Project has helped transform Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara by installing 81 infrastructure, art and placemaking developments. The Kaitāia town square project will be co-funded by Kānoa, the government’s Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, and the council, which has secured funding through the Long Term Plan this year.

You can keep up to date with the project on Te Hiku Open Spaces Revitalisation Project Facebook Page.