Kia Ora
We’re only two months into the year but our work, in particular underground, continues to progress. Check out our February works update for more information and photos from both Karangahape Station boxes.
As New Zealand continues in the Red setting of the COVID-19 traffic light system, strict guidelines remain in place across our sites. We are conducting regular Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for members of staff at our sites and offices to ensure their safety, the safety of their whānau and of our wider community.
If you have any questions, please contact us at Karangahape@linkalliance.co.nz or call 0800 CRL TALK (0800 275 8255) and press option 4.
Ngā mihi,
The Karangahape Station Team
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Secure storage for our street whānau
A huge challenge for our homeless whānau is keeping what belongings they have safe and secure.
Local journalist and homeless advocate, Six, is starting an initiative using wheelie bins, along with padlocks, to give those living rough somewhere safe to store their gear.
Link Alliance have provided three bins to Six to help get the initiative underway and support those in need in our local area. The bins will be painted by a local art collective and Six is hopeful that the support received will encourage others to get on board with the initiative.
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Looking doughy eyed on Valentines
Love was in the air around Karangahape Road on Valentines as tasty treats were the key to unlocking quite a few hearts.
At the Pocket Park, with the help of The Pie Piper, we found dates for those with a sweet tooth. K-Road’s local sweet treat specialists produced boxes of desirable delights, from mini donut mixes to brownies and cookies, which were all snapped up in just 15 minutes!
A big thank you to The Pie Piper in helping produce plenty of smiles around K-Road.
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Live music returns to the Pocket Park
The Pocket Park hosted its first musical performance of the year last week with Lucky Paul taking to the stage.
A percussionist at heart, Lucky Paul experiments with sound and how it can be manipulated to produce a variety of music, including participation from members of the public passing by.
A big thank you to Auckland Council who provided the beanbags for people to relax and soak up some live music in the afternoon sun.
Keep an eye out for updates in the future as we look to lock in more acts for 2022.
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Meet…Chaminda Wijekoon, Junior Tunnel Surveyor
This month, we spoke to Chaminda Wijekoon about working at the Link Alliance and what he enjoys in his spare time, but we decided to find out more about one of his past professions.
Chaminda is a former middle-distance runner and holds the Sri Lankan national record in both the 1500 metres and 3000 metres. He has represented his country at several major athletics events, including the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Championships. He has also medalled at Asian Championships and South Asian Championships, including Gold! We couldn’t feature Chaminda without sharing these amazing achievements.
What does your job at the Link Alliance entail?
As a Junior Tunnel Surveyor at the Link Alliance, my responsibilities are mainly focussed on survey monitoring. I am responsible for as-built pickup of the planned work (surveying what we have built), as well as establishment of, maintaining and monitoring survey points.
The ultimate purpose of these responsibilities, set out as required by the current program, is to enable construction work that adheres to the specified standard of the project. Also, to provide accurate monitoring data to the design and construction teams so they can produce the best outcome.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Welimada, a rural area located in central Sri Lanka.
Where were you working prior to this?
I worked as an Assistant Surveyor on the Northern Express Group (NX2) Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway Project. Before that, when I was back in Sri Lanka, I was a professional athlete who participated in international events as a middle-distance runner.
What do you do when you are not working?
I always try to be with my family when I have free time. Together we like to have small picnics, walks and gardening but, most importantly, playing with my two kids.
Any fun facts about yourself you want to share?
I have not given up my athletic spirit. So, I am providing some athletic training for kids of my family friends, including my two little ones. I am also trying to improve my cooking skills these days.
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Meet the Kūmara Awards 2021 winners
As we mentioned in November’s newsletter, the Pocket Park was honoured by The Kūmara Awards 2021.
To showcase the five diverse winners from across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and the effect their placemaking has had on their community, the Kūmara Awards team have produced a heartfelt video.
The Kūmara Awards celebrate wonderful placemaking happening across Aotearoa and it’s a community-driven showcase of the outstanding placemaking projects over the past year.
Click on the video above to hear from the winners in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, including a friendly face from around our neighbourhood.
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Calling all burger lovers!
If you love a good burger, you’ll most likely have a ‘go-to’ pretty much every time you grab one. Whatever kind of burger is top of your list, Bobby McGees has you covered. They even have an all-day breakfast burger!
Bobby McGees gourmet burgers use top quality ingredients, including premium mince and free-range chicken, potato rostis made from scratch and vegetarian burgers that any meat eater would return for.
Also, for the month of March, you can grab the Nirvana all day breakfast burger for just $10!
Check out a copy of their menu and call 0800 BOBBYS, or swing by the truck at 1 Galatos Street, open 8:30am – 8:00pm daily, to grab a mouth-watering patty.
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See more than just the tip of the iceberg
As you walk around our Karangahape Station construction sites you can catch a glimpse of what’s happening at ground level but that’s just a small part of the works going on.
To see the progress we’ve made underground, as well as an aerial view of both our Beresford Square and Mercury Lane sites, stop by our Info Hub. Under the Red setting, we’re unable to open the hub to the public but you can watch the Hub TV that sits in the window.
The recently updated TV reel shows the history of the Karangahape Road area, the progress made across the project in 2021 and where the works are currently at in our Karangahape Station boxes.
You can find the Info Hub at 4 Beresford Square, between Johnny Feedback and the Northern Line Bar. You could grab a coffee from Johnny Feedback before you check out what’s playing, or if it’s later in day, grab a drink and a seat at Northern Line while you watch.
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