A variety of concepts for the reimagining of Nelson Square are on display in Waitohi Picton.

Twenty second-year landscape architect students from Victoria University’s School of Architecture visited Waitohi Picton in July to see the site and conduct research with support from Council and mana whenua iwi Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui. This included staying overnight at Waikawa Marae.

Fourteen of the students returned recently to launch the public exhibition at the Picton Library and Service Centre - Waitohi Whare Mātauranga which features ten concept designs.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday October 23 to November 19 with community feedback invited on each of the concepts through this link Reimagining Nelson Square via a QR code.

Victoria University Teaching Fellow Maria Rodgers said it was exciting for the students to be able to work on a “real world project.”

“The students have worked very hard on this because they care. I’m proud of them – some of the designs are ambitious but hopefully there will be elements in them that the public will feel a connection to which could in turn lead to a redesign of Nelson Square.

“We would like to thank all those people whose passion for Waitohi Picton has supported this project. The students have reimagined Nelson Square with skill, aroha and passion,” she said.

Council Parks and Open Spaces Officer Grahame Smail said he was pleased with the students’ presentations.

“This has been so much more than just an academic studio paper for them with many different aspects and levels. Being able to present their designs to the community is an important part of the overall experience of the project,” Mr Smail said.

Vice-chair of Te Ātiawa Trust and Chair of Waikawa Marae Rita Powick stated the importance of understanding local history through design and development phases of any area, “sharing knowledge and pūrākau (stories) that acknowledge our special landmarks and people, help bring depth and purpose into a space as it’s reimagined.”

The unique collaboration has involved Council, the university, Te Ātiawa and Kūmānu's Landscape Architecture team who coordinated the project with Better Off Funding provided from central government.

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