Northcote’s new community hub & reserve Exciting images revealed

Both the new community hub and upgraded reserve are expected to be completed in late 2027.
 
"Northcote is a growing community that deserves outstanding public facilities,” says Kate Cumberpatch, our Priority Location Director. “The new community hub, square and reserve will create welcoming spaces for people of all ages and provide opportunities for community activities, events and everyday connection.”

A larger square at the heart of Northcote

The space in front of the new community centre will be called the Norman King Square, retaining the Norman King name from the former building that partly occupied that space.

The square will be transformed with more seating, trees, and planting, along with flexible space for community events, performances, and activities. 
 
It will provide a welcoming entrance to the new community hub and connect to the town centre, Te Ara Awataha – Northcote’s new greenway - and the future extension of Ernie Mays Street.
 
Kate says, “The square has been designed as a place where people can gather, meet friends, attend events, or simply enjoy spending time in the heart of Northcote. It will become an important community space for years to come.”

Upgraded Puāwai Cadness Reserve - designed with local students

The upgraded reserve will include separate play spaces for younger and older children, designed with input from Northcote Intermediate School students. Their creative ideas helped shape the final design, including inspiration for a giant swing and hamster wheel-style play equipment.
 
It will also feature a basketball court, gardens, public toilets, and extensive planting, creating a place for recreation, relaxation, and community connection.

A new pavilion for community activities and events

One of the key new features in Puāwai Cadness Reserve will be a community pavilion. 

Designed by Architectus, in partnership with Reuben Kirkwood of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the pavilion incorporates Māori design principles with inspiration from the natural environment, bringing nature and culture together. This is seen in the distinctive motif used in the pavilion’s perforated screens, based on the Puawānanga (native New Zealand Clematis).
 
Providing shelter from both sun and rain, the pavilion will offer a flexible all-weather space. 
 
“We heard, through a community needs assessment (2020), that people wanted more places to come together,” says Kate. “The pavilion will provide a welcoming space where people can connect - whether that's for cultural activities, performances, community events or simply gathering and meeting friends.”

Completing Te Ara Awataha

The reserve upgrade will complete Te Ara Awataha, Northcote’s 1.5km greenway.
 
Following the path of the Awataha Stream, the greenway connects neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces while creating habitat for nature and managing stormwater to reduce flooding.
 
Once complete, Te Ara Awataha will provide a continuous path through Northcote, making it easier for people to walk, cycle and enjoy the area's green spaces.

A sustainable community hub for generations to come

At the centre of the project is the new Northcote community hub, which will bring together the library and a range of community services in one future-focused location.
 
Inside the hub, there will be shared community spaces, rooms for hire and a veranda that opens onto the reserve, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.
 
Kate says, “We’re delighted that the community hub design recently achieved a 6-Star Green Star Design Rating, the highest possible Green Star rating, representing world leadership in sustainable building design.”
 
Sustainability features include solar panels, rainwater reuse systems, improved stormwater management, and energy-efficient design to help reduce environmental impacts and support Auckland Council's environmental goals.
 
The heritage-listed Northcote Library building, designed by renowned architect David Mitchell and opened in 1982, will be retained, refurbished, and extended with a new wing.
 
Once completed, the library will move from its current temporary hub location at 1 Ernie Mays Street to its original location. The new wing will house other community services, including Citizens Advice Bureau, NorthArt, Hearts & Minds and Plunket (also currently at 1 Ernie Mays Street).

A vibrant future for Northcote

“Together, the new community hub, larger plaza, community pavilion, and upgraded reserve will create a vibrant destination where people can learn, connect, celebrate, and enjoy everything Northcote has to offer”, says Kate.
 
These public facility improvements are part of the wider redevelopment of Northcote, next up is a new main street, followed by a larger supermarket, new shops, eateries, homes, laneways, and offices, to transform the town centre in stages over ten years, starting from 2028.

Thank you to our project partners

Thank you to our partners who are helping us to bring the community hub and upgraded reserve to life for the Northcote community: Architectus, NZ Strong Group, Bluewater Project Management, Wraights + Associates Ltd, Babbage, eCubed Building Workshop, Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects, Beca Group, Structure Design Ltd, archifact - architecture & conservation limited, Protech Design Limited, and Marshall Day Acoustics.