The Challenge:

Accessibility and connectivity between the waterfront and central downtown areas of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland needed improving. The greater challenge was to deliver a generous and welcoming destination along the water’s edge in time for the 2021 America’s Cup.

The Outcome:

The Downtown Programme was a collaborative plan to revive Auckland’s waterfront while recognising the importance of fostering a powerful connection to the Waitematā Harbour. The resulting $250m suite of projects – Te Wānanga – included upgrading public transport facilities and infrastructure elements. The programme scope also included the building of six new berths on the west side of Queens Wharf as part of the Downtown Ferry Basin redevelopment.

Our Involvement:

Resolve Group wrote the strategic case for the full Downtown Programme. This work included developing the proposal for a downtown public transport interchange and preparation of the business cases for upgrading the Ferry Terminal Basin and for the seismic strengthening of the Quay Street seawall, both delivered under an exceptionally challenging deadline to enable completion of works in time for the America’s Cup.

Representing Auckland Transport, Resolve Group acted as the Marine Infrastructure Lead to design and implement the new ferry berths, downtown public spaces and the mooring dolphin.

We participated in the planning of the new downtown public space created in the ferry basin between Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf, and completed the landside safety audit (at both concept and design stage), co-ordinating with marine experts to provide a combined audit report covering passenger safety aspects from vessel to terminal.