The single biggest infrastructure project in New Zealand’s history is the additional crossing of the Waitematā Harbour, which divides central Auckland from the North Shore. The two land areas are currently singularly connected by a vehicle-only 60 year old steel bridge. Our team started leading a community driven programme to add a long overdue walking and cycling connection to the existing bridge which gained widespread popular support and planning consent in 2016.
Over subsequent years in opposition to a engineered tunnel solution we continued to promote a landscape driven approach to mass vehicle movement with a two bridge proposal which is better fitting to the low lying and wide Waitemata Harbour and the existing steel truss Auckland Harbour Bridge, whilst also provides walking and cycling access and an unrivalled viewing experience.
This project is an excellent example of urban designers leading public debate on big scale infrastructure projects, providing thoroughly researched and feasible designs that are based on a landscape sensitive approach which are fiscally responsibly, resourceful, and ultimately magnifies resilience and sustainability. The serpentine figured two bridge proposal is truly a visionary design which has captured the public’s imagination and promises to provide critical connections in bringing disparate communities together with a beautifully refined addition to the Waitematā harbour.
In addition to providing commentary and critique in the leading media, we have provided a constructive alternative of two bridges: one on the upper harbour to act as a bypass to the central city and the other separated on the west side of the existing bridge to preserve views and not to crowd the harbour. Both bridges can be built with relatively little disruption, quickly and efficiently with low risk economically or environmentally.
Services
Masterplanning
Awards
Award of Excellence at the 2025 International Federation of Landscape Architects – Asia Pacific Region Awards
Website
www.architecturenow.co.nz
