Ahuriri & District Plan
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw an increased demand in the lucrative waterfront property market.
In Ahuriri, waterfront cottages that used to house workers, former wharf industry buildings and large industrial buildings along West Quay came under increasing pressure for redevelopment.
After a lengthy consultation period, in May 1993 the Council released a discussion document entitled "Ahuriri Looking Ahead" outlining different options for the management of the area.
The consultation identified the following factors:
- Ahuriri has a distinct character that should be retained;
- Road network problems and conflicts exist;
- High demand for waterfront property;
- Historic buildings subject to pressure for commercial redevelopment;
- Maintenance of access to foreshore and operational wharf;
- An area with high visual interest - with views across the inner foothills;
- High potential as a recreational area for fishing, walking, recreational socialising;
- Natural link between the Ahuriri Foreshore with the Inner Harbour and Ahuriri Estuary.
Developing Ahuriri
The Ahuriri area is recognised by the Napier City Council as having a special character.
A Heritage Study carried out in 1994 identified key elements that contribute to the unique character of the area and recognised the importance of historic buildings. The study made recommendations on appropriate ways of preserving the identified character of the area and of making sympathetic alterations to existing buildings to allow their continued use without diminishing the area's integrity and visual quality.
The area is of special significance to the tangata whenua, being the outlet to the Whanganui-a-Orotu estuary and having once been an important landing place for waka (Maori canoes). Council's commitment to the retention of Ahuriri's special character is demonstrated by the amount of resources it has invested in the area including:
- The commissioning of the Heritage Study;
- The purchase of Foreshore Reserves;
- The construction of the Ahuriri Bypass;
- The design and construction of streetscape improvements and carparks;
- The allocation of funds for the redevelopment of West Quay and Customs Quay;
- The upgrading of the Hyderabad Road/ Pandora Road intersection in association with Transit New Zealand;
- The adoption of specific resource consent procedures designed to promote and encourage a positive environmental outcome for the area.
The West Quay precinct is recognised as having special historical, cultural and architectural significance and is important commercially and recreationally to the city of Napier. This special recognition derives from a combination of factors:
- Proximity to the still waters of the Inner Harbour;
- The mix of commercial uses including fishing, marine-related light industry, hotel and café facilities and both active and passive recreation;
- The sharply-defined and uncluttered appearance of the buildings and the streetscape.
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