Maungawhau / Mount Eden is visited by over 1.3 million people annually. The volume of visitors coupled with past and present management practices has adversely impacted on the maunga.
Auckland City Council prepared the Maungawhau / Mt Eden Conservation Plan and Management Plan in early 2007 to enhance visitor and user experience whilst lessening the effect on the fragile maunga environment.
A Boffa Miskell-led team was commissioned to investigate the options for location, style and function of a visitor centre; alternative modes to transport visitors to the summit, and redevelopment of the summit following the proposed removal of vehicular access.
The resultant options study report recommended the most suitable options for safeguarding the environs of the maunga. In doing so, the project team extended understanding of the historical and management issues affecting this important Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland landscape feature.
Boffa Miskell’s role in the project included project management, planning, landscape architecture and cultural advice. The Boffa Miskell-led team had several successful workshops with iwi, key stakeholder groups and councillors.
After assessing all likely options, the study recommends a visitor centre be built at Tahaki Reserve West at the foot of the maunga; that rubber wheel trains be used for summit transport, and that summit redevelopment with the least modification / built impact be undertaken.