Jasmax

A first look at Karanga-a-Hape Station. When City Rail Link opens next month, this new station will connect one of Auckland's most creative neighbourhoods to the wider city. Inspired by the Māori creation story of Tāne Mahuta separating Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the station's design pays tribute to the majestic kauri forest that once covered the Karanga-a-Hape ridge. At the Beresford Square entrance, New Zealand’s longest escalator will take passengers 33 metres underground to the platforms. Travellers can look up and see ‘Me te Ōturu’, an installation depicting the Māori lunar calendar, with circular discs carved from kauri capturing the moon’s phases. The mana whenua artist nominated for this station was Reuben Kirkwood (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki), who also designed the nine-metre-high panels above the Mercury Lane entrance depicting Ira Atua, the celestial realm, and Ira Tangata, the terrestrial realm. Karanga-a-Hape Station opens for a free, ticketed event on Saturday 15 August. Book here: https://lnkd.in/eKCxDV2X   Images by Jasmax (Xander Dixon) City Rail Link Ltd; Auckland Council; Auckland Transport; Auckland One Rail; KiwiRail; Link Alliance; Grimshaw; WSP in New Zealand

Wonderful to see this important project for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) taking shape. This state-of-the-art biosecurity facility, designed by Jasmax, will feature greenhouses and laboratories to support MPI in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural environment and plant-based primary industries. Read more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/eUmR5txN

Introducing Maungawhau Station. The former Mount Eden Station has been majorly upgraded to connect existing lines and reduce commute times for many Aucklanders. The platforms might be quiet for now, but they will soon be flowing with people when City Rail Link opens on Sunday, 13 September. We’re excited to share more about this transformed station ahead of the ‘First Look’ event tomorrow. Since 2012, a Mana Whenua Forum made up of eight Auckland iwi has been at the heart of City Rail Link, collaborating with architects and artists to develop the design, artwork and narrative for each station. The network tells the creation story of Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, with each station featuring a Māori deity, known as an atua. For Maungawhau Station, Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) was nominated as the mana whenua representative artist, and her artwork references Mataaoho, the atua of volcanoes. For mana whenua, the importance of Maungawhau (Mt Eden) lies in its summit, crater, slopes, lava caves and water springs. Tessa designed a nine-metre-high water wall ‘Parawhenuamea’ which represents the atua of freshwater. The large triangle symbolises Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and features basalt from the mountain itself, while 53 lava-coloured glass triangles, made in collaboration with artist Sofia Athineou, form a map of Auckland's volcanic cones. The copper-coloured ceiling 'Te Ipu-a-Mataaho' references Maungawhau and the volcanic landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau. Maungawhau Station opens for a free, ticketed event on Saturday 8 August. Book here: https://lnkd.in/ebQGnBMu Images by Jasmax (Xander Dixon) City Rail Link Ltd; Auckland Council; Auckland Transport; Auckland One Rail; KiwiRail; Link Alliance; Grimshaw; WSP in New Zealand

“Good infrastructure binds cities and the people who live in them together.” Those were the words of Transport Minister Christopher Bishop after he announced this morning that City Rail Link will open on Sunday, 13 September. He described CRL as “not simply another piece of infrastructure”, saying its real value lay beyond the tunnels. “It’s what’s outside the tunnels, what’s outside the station doors that matter. Thousands of people riding up the escalators into streets full of shops, offices, students, somewhere decent to eat afterwards – all thriving because of this project. New apartment buildings, homes and town houses popping up, made possible because of this project. “City Rail Link is a symbol of our ambition for Auckland and our ambition for New Zealand.” Designed by Jasmax, Grimshaw and WSP alongside mana whenua and many other collaborators, this project will shape Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for generations. We are so proud to have been a part of this epic project, and we can’t wait for it to open soon. Read more about City Rail Link here: https://lnkd.in/ePh4fhCZ City Rail Link Ltd; Auckland Council; Auckland Transport; Auckland One Rail; KiwiRail; Link Alliance; Grimshaw; WSP in New Zealand

Two striking bronze sculptures have been revealed as part of Te Hā Noa – the regeneration of Victoria Street in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Wāhine, a 3.7-metre bronze sculpture, takes the form of a Māori woman performing a karanga – a call of welcome. She will greet people flowing out of Te Waihorotiu Station, expected to be the country's busiest train station when City Rail Link opens. Further along Victoria Street West is Horotiu, a 7.2-metre tuna kūwharuwharu (longfin eel) referencing the legendary guardian of the Waihorotiu Stream. Sandblasted etchings beneath the sculpture trace the stream's former path through the valley now occupied by Queen Street. Wāhine was created by artists Arekatera Maihi (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Tainui, Te Waiohua, Ngāpuhi) and Beronia Scott (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei). Horotiu was created by Chris Bailey (Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Porou, Te Aupouri) and Sally Smith. Te Hā Noa will turn a six-lane road into a two-lane thoroughfare, widening footpaths to make space for public art, cycle lanes, street furniture, trees and native planting to support stormwater management and ecology, and provide places to pause, linger and gather. Read more about Te Hā Noa here: https://lnkd.in/g3kyWfue Image 1 by David St George, 2 & 3 by Jay Farnworth Auckland Council Auckland Council; Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei; City Rail Link Ltd; Auckland Transport; Auckland Urban Development Office