1. accessory dwelling

    A small residential unit that usually shares access and other amenities such as outdoor space with a main dwelling.

  2. accessway

    A route that enters and moves through a building or site for either pedestrians or vehicles (or both).

  3. active edge

    A building frontage that directly interacts with an adjacent space. This could be via doors that allow people to move between inside and outside. Active edges are distinct from interactive edges, where buildings overlook the street and passersby can see activities inside the building, but do not physically access these activities directly. This permits building occupants and passersby to see one another. Examples of active edges include street cafes that positively enhance the adjacent open spaces. Examples of interactive edges include office space visible from the street, but accessed elsewhere.

  4. activity generators

    Places which include land uses that encourage the use of the public realm. Such uses include outdoor cafés and restaurants, outdoor sporting areas located within open space, clusters of shops, etc.

  5. ahi kā

    Iwi/hapū have a living and enduring presence and are secure and valued within their rohe.

  6. ahi-kā-tanga

    Continuous occupation of an area; literally ‘the long burning fire’.

  7. amenity

    The qualities of a place that make it pleasant and attractive for individuals and communities to occupy.

  8. ao

    World

  9. apartment block

    A building housing apartments that is usually longer in elevation than it is tall. The apartments are usually arranged off an internal or external corridor.

  10. apartment tower

    A building housing apartments that has a vertical form and is generally free standing. It tends to be more or less regular in plan (or the same dimension in both directions, e.g., circular or elliptical). A tower often has slimmer, more elegant proportions. This building type generally has a single centralised vertical circulation core and a limited number of apartments per floor.

  11. architrave

    The lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns.

  12. articulation

    An architectural term typically used to describe the parts and composition of a façade, how they are joined, and what they are used for.

  13. assessment of environmental effects

    A written statement identifying the effects of a proposed activity or set of activities on the environment. It is part of the resource consent process as identified in the Resource Management Act. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/aee-guide-aug06/index.html

  14. at grade

    The ground level at a particular location.

  15. auaha

    Creative, innovative

  16. awa

    River, channel, gully