FAQs
What about the Chinese Garden of Beneficence?
In 2016 there was an approved resource consent which involved an upgrade to the existing Children’s playground and the introduction of a Chinese Garden of Beneficence.
The Chinese Garden of Beneficence symbolises the meeting of many peoples – all New Zealanders and visitors from overseas – overlooking the sea reaching out to the world beyond. Part of the consented design is still being delivered as part of the Children’s playground works.
The Council and the Wellington Chinese Garden Society are working together to develop a design to suit the new park following the demolition of the car park.
What will happen to the other uses of the car park building (public toilets, ice cream shop, boat storage, retail)
As part of the Fale Malae design, there is provision for public toilets (adjacent to the Whairepo lagoon), dragon boat storage as well as relevant storage and infrastructure to support the day-to-day management of the waterfront. The Council will assist investigations into alternate sites to businesses following confirmation of demolition timing.
Why is the car park being demolished?
In 2020 a detailed seismic assessment determined the carparking building as earthquake prone. The car park has a seismic rating of 15% NBS and therefore is rated as a ‘very high’ life-safety risk.
The costs to strengthen the car park are significant in comparison to demolition costs. Similarly, the demolition of the car park aligns with the Council’s ambitions for a Zero Carbon future and establishing more vehicle free precincts.
What are we doing about sea level rise?
A climate change risk assessment has been undertaken by Aurecon who have provided high-level considerations to the design process.
Examples include:
- Consideration of materials that can withstand regular inundation of saltwater.
- Flood prevention plan for vulnerable areas.
- Key areas of the park raised above 1–100-year flood projection line.
Once the design has been further developed, Aurecon will undertake further review and assessment of the proposal and will provide recommendations to support adaptation and resilience of the site.
Where will the existing plaques be located?
Options for plaque relocation are currently being explored and will be confirmed prior to resource consent.
WCC are attempting to contact all people associated with the plaques in FKP. If you represent one of the plaques and have not yet spoken to WCC, please contact Rachael.watts@wcc.govt.nz
Does the Fale (building) have walls or is it open to the elements?
There will be 360 degree glazing around the building to ensure that it is suitable for year-round use.
Is the Fale (Building) open to the public to sit inside it during the day?
When the café is open and the other areas are not being used for a private event, it will be open to the public. This is more likely to be on weekends and during the summer months.
What will happen after the demolition of the car park and the connected overbridge is removed for pedestrians?
Under Let’s Get Wellington Moving there is a project underway which focuses on the Jervois Quay, Harris Street Intersection which will see a new pedestrian crossing to improve accessibility. Any additional works arising from the demolition of the overbridge will be developed through the detailed design phase.
https://lgwm.nz/all-projects/central-city-walking-improvements/#e695
What is the Fale Malae and why is it important?
Aotearoa New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours share similar cultural and social values that bind us. Yet we don’t have a dedicated institution to reflect our identity and role in the Pacific.
This part of Wellington’s waterfront has become culturally rich. From Te Papa, the Wharewaka, future development of a Garden of Beneficence (modern Chinese Garden), the existing plaques and sculptures in Frank Kitts Park, and now the potential development of a Pasifka Fale Malae.
A national Fale Malae at Frank Kitts Park is proposed to complement Wellington’s waterfront as a landmark building of cultural significance to the nation. The Fale Malae Trust proposes that the building will support a wide range of community and educational activities. The Fale (building) is proposed to be a pavilion within the park and includes a café and storage area to support recreational activity on the waterfront, including dragon boat racing. The Malae (greenspace) would form part of the public open space within the park.