Mahara Place sculpture garden to be spruced up

Waikanae’s well-loved sculpture garden is set to get a spruce up ahead of construction work to improve Mahara Place.

Waikanae Ward Councillor Michael Scott says it’s fantastic to see things starting to happen in the town centre.

“The concepts to improve Mahara Place are looking great and everyone’s really excited to get things started. Staff have listened to what the community wants for Mahara Place, and it’s great to see the sculpture garden being incorporated into plans for improving the area.”

“The Council team will be working with the sculpture garden artists to make sure the pipes, pumps and pond area are in tip-top condition, so that the water fountain works properly, and the sculpture looks its best.”

The sculpture garden borders the new plaza area proposed for Mahara Place.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says the concepts for the improvements have been developed in partnership with the Mahara Place Development Committee.

“The plaza concept includes the creation of a terraced area in the sunniest most sheltered part of the square. It also has ‘reading gardens’ that allow people to sit and enjoy being there without feeling like they’re on display. There will be formal and informal seating areas and spaces suitable for groups and other spaces perfect for individuals.”

These concepts will be presented to Council before the end of the month and shared with the public at information days in November.

Mr Mallon says it’s hoped that work on the sculpture garden will be finished before summer.

“Timeframes will depend on the extent of the underground work needed on the pipes and pump, but all the work will be completed before we start construction in Mahara Place in early 2019.

He says that if further funding becomes available, future plans for the town centre include improvements to the laneways connecting the Marae to Mahara Place, Mahara Lane up to State Highway 1, a new playground and the entranceway by the Library.