Basque Park works - it's a wrap!

The completion of the Basque Park works were celebrated with a dawn karakia (blessing) and a paw-some community event held by our main contractor, Link Alliance.

The small but essential work was a wastewater pipe diversion as part of the Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station upgrade. Redeveloping the station displaced pipework which needed to be redirected and joined at a nearby interconnection at the park.

Diverting the pipeline allowed for an upgrade to older infrastructure on this section as well as separating wastewater and stormwater pipes. This work contributed to reducing flood risk at Basque Park while allowing wastewater to be properly treated.

Kingi Makoare, Paora Puru, and Robbie Paora from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led the karakia on behalf of our Mana Whenua Forum on the morning of Wednesday 24 August, uplifting the rāhui (temporary prohibition/closure) imposed by our construction at the park. 

On Saturday 27 August, local neighbours and their furry loved ones joined the team for morning kawhe (coffee) and kai (food) - and to take part in our planting initiative. Together, the community put in the hard mahi (work) and planted three Nikau palm trees on the hill of the park.

The team have laid the site area in the park with topsoil, and now the waiting game for the grass to grow back begins. Temporary fencing will remain in this section of Basque Park until the grass in this area replenishes.

The team at Link Alliance said, “We have appreciated the support from our Basque Park community during our works, and now look forward to seeing them enjoy the park construction-free again.“