Taumanu Reserve is a new coastal park, created over the period between 2011 – 2015 as part of the Onehunga Foreshore Restoration Project.
The project re-establishes access to an inner Manukau coastal environment, and restores amenity that was lost to the community of Onehunga through the establishment of SH20 in the 1970’s.
Taumanu comprises a 6.8ha park formed on reclaimed coastal land, and provides 1.4km of new coastline with sandy and gravel beaches, a boat ramp and turning bay, picnic areas, and open space. Walking and cycling paths extend through the park and traverse SH20 across a feature gateway bridge to the existing Onehunga Bay Reserve.
Taumanu has been sensitively designed to fit within both cultural and physical landscapes, and has been recognised nationally and internationally for its design response.
As part of the SH20 upgrade works a public design competition was held to design and construct a new coastal park, and to provide a new pedestrian connection from Onehunga, over SH20, to the Manukau Harbour foreshore.
The nature of the project procurement did not provide opportunity for meaningful engagement with Mana Whenua. This, as well as a number of other issues, resulted in the project being referred to the Environment Court. Successful mediation was undertaken and resource consent was granted with a number of conditions, including conditions relating specifically to Mana Whenua involvement.
The implemented design has created a new coastal park that reflects inner Manukau Harbour natural coastal character. It promotes public access to the coast, introduces large areas of public open space, and provides enhanced pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting Taumanu to the wider landscape.
The name Taumanu (literally reclamation) was gifted to the project by the five iwi involved in the project.