A large component of the project was producing a narrative to inform the design and offer meaning, experience and sense of place to the new development. Kawarau Falls was historically a place of transit, movement and temporary occupation and the overarching narrative was derived from a single harakeke plant overlaid on the site. The concepts were also influenced by the natural geological processes which formed the region as well as the natural history of the site, particularly the structure and form of the harakeke.

A key feature of the project was the opportunity to improve connectivity for pedestrian cyclists both across the Kawarau River and along its banks. In improving the alignment of the pedestrian network, the design also endeavoured to work with existing grades and landform minimising the amount of cut slopes, retaining and disturbance to existing vegetation.

The planting design acknowledges the Project Gold planting objectives and, where possible, implements Project Gold Objectives and Specifications. The planting schemes were appropriate to the existing bridge and reflect the cultural history of the site. The project planting will also improve the ecological and bio-diversity of this section of the river corridor and will enhance the planting aesthetic and the sense of wildness that views to the vegetated river corridor provides.