The design team worked closely with Aukaha to understand the Kāi Tahu values and importance of Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens to iwi. We then worked with iwi to weave these values and narratives through the design; and ensure they are represented throughout the Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens Development Plan.

Most visitors to Te Kararo enter the site from town, via Marine Parade. The area is a node where locals, visitors, Queenstown Trail users and playground visitors all converge — either on foot, or bike; and sometimes with prams and push-chairs. Currently, at the entrance, there is a confusing selection of pathways that lack hierarchy — which causes congestion and conflict.

Stage One involves creating a new welcoming area that responds to the needs of all these user groups.

The proposed design includes the following:

• A significant welcoming area into Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens.
• Maximising opportunities for Te Reo and weaving Kāi Tahu values throughout the design.
• Realignment of the pathway to create a larger arrival area and provide an open space between the playground and the pathway, ameliorating the current congestion issue around this area.
• First point for users to make a decision to either follow the path up into the gardens or follow the path around the peninsula.