Auckland's Myers Park Has Had a Makeover: What's New in the Inner-City Slice of Paradise

Auckland's slice of paradise in the city has been given a makeover, unveiling the results just in time for summer. Myers Park, a hang out for city dwellers and officer workers alike, has been totally revamped with a new boardwalk, a wetland garden and a picturesque stairway leading onto the CBD's main drag, Queen Street.

As well that, more than 20 new native trees have been planted, adding to the 300 trees that call Myers Park home.

Not only has the park had an aesthetic upgrade but new safety measures have also been put in place. The park's flood wall now has the ability to hold enough water to fill half an Olympic-sized swimming pool and then channel it into the stormwater system. This new tool has been developed in response to the city-wide destruction caused by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle only a few weeks later.

Waitematā Local Board Chair Genevieve Sage said she was pleased with the park's transformation.

"I am delighted to see the northern end of this precious park enhanced with new planting and infrastructure, helping limit the potential impacts of heavy rain," Sage said. "The improvements will also help make the park feel safer and more vibrant."

As well as the new natural elements, the Mayoral Drive underpass, which sits at the northern end of Myers Park, has sprung to life through art.

Artist Graham Tipene has collaborated with Auckland Council's Public Art team to create Waimahara, an effervescent blue homage to Te Waihorotiu, an ancient river that flows underneath the inner-city park.

The underpass is adorned with a pūhoro — stormy — pattern and will soon incorporate audio and visual elements such as native birdsong, flowing water sounds and taonga pūoro, a Māori musical instrument. These interactive features chop and change with the weather and activity in the underpass, meaning that Aucklanders will have a different experience each time they wander through.

Auckland Council's Hayley Wolters said these interactive elements will appear in the beginning of 2024. "When we have installed the speakers and a microphone on-site, Waimahara will become interactive," Wolters said.

"At that point, you will be able to learn one of two waiata and sing it in the park. With accurate rhythm and pitch, your singing will trigger another dimension of audio and light response. It will be well worth the wait."

It certainly sounds like it.

The Waimahara is now on display in the Mayoral Drive underpass in Myers Park, which is located at 72 Greys Avenue, Auckland Central. Visit the council's website for more information on the rejuvnation of Auckland City.