An appealing new lifestyle opportunity beckons to Aucklanders.
Apartment living has become extraordinarily popular across Tāmaki Makaurau over the past decade. Te Tauoma - named after a culturally significant nearby maunga (mountain) is an exciting new development arriving soon in the suburb of St Johns offering much more than just a place to live.
The carefully planned community has everything residents could possibly need for a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle available right on their doorsteps, set over a 12 hectare site that was previously the University of Auckland’s Tāmaki campus.
Developers Shundi Group’s Deputy General Manager and Executive Project Manager, Frank Xu, says attention to fine detail in this project - which will roll out in four stages across 10 to 15 years - has been absolute. Prospective residents can expect what’s effectively a new, seamlessly functioning suburb with a wide range of amenities.
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The site is adjacent to Colin Maiden Park, a large, open sports facility incorporating cricket, soccer and rugby grounds, tennis and netball courts, and a swimming pool complex. Te Tauoma itself will also have large areas of landscaped open space and limited roading so that children can play safely, and other residents can relax and enjoy their recreation time.
“Te Tauoma is situated just a six-minute walk to and from Glen Innes train station, so residents who work in the CBD can get there in just 15 minutes. Sylvia Park is just two stops away in the opposite direction. We think many people living at Te Tauoma will find they don’t need to own cars,” says Xu, who adds that there’s a Countdown supermarket next to the development.
A dedicated parcel area for delivery of online shopping is another convenient feature of plans for Te Tauoma, with provision for smart delivery lockers eyed for the future.
At the heart of the new community will be the existing university buildings which are being converted to create a community facility that will feature offices, a medical centre, kindergarten, and convenience stores. Huddle Cafe opens in the building in November, so prospective apartment buyers can visit and get a feel for what’s coming.
A private, pay-to-join recreation centre will also be created for residents, featuring exclusive gym facilities and an outdoor swimming pool. The facility will also include 28 hotel units for visiting friends and family, plus a large function room that can be hired for parties or weddings and conferences.
The seven-storey carparking building at Te Tauoma will be about much more than cars. The building will also include ground-level retail spaces, and even a rooftop garden and restaurant. Inside, a whole floor will be dedicated to EV car hire and charging stations, all bookable through a Te Tauoma app. Residents can rent cars, bikes and scooters for trips off-site – perhaps to Mission Bay or St Heliers which are easily accessible, while a cycle way runs directly from Te Tauoma to the city.
Encouraging people to mix and mingle has been a crucial aspect of the design of Te Tauoma by Paul Brown and Associates and Reset Urban Design and a talented broader team. Xu says that communal vegetable gardens, barbecue areas, playgrounds and even a performance space are designed to bring residents together, and the development is pet-friendly.
“These days the kiwi dream of our own quarter-acre paradise is changing. Here at Te Tauoma you can still have space in your home and outside to do the things you want to,” says Xu.
The development will ultimately be home to couples and families, living in 1500 high-quality, spacious, and sunny, low-energy apartments which will be a mix of studios, one-bedroom with study, two-bedroom, two-bedroom with flexible space, and three-bedroom apartments - plus penthouses.
All have been thoughtfully designed to take full advantage of leafy views and feature relaxed and airy interiors with pleasant, neutral, colour palettes inspired by nature. Shundi has also designed private lift lobbies for most of the apartments, providing privacy and increased health and safety for residents.
Xu says that the entire project has been underpinned by a close four-year collaboration with Mana Whenua in order to safeguard the integrity and wellbeing of the new community and ensure that the mauri (life force) of its environment is respected and enhanced.
In fact, the gifting of the name Te Tauoma and a cultural masterplan was developed by Ngā Iwi Mana Whenua; Ngāti Maru, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngaati Whanaunga, and Te Patukirikiri, working alongside Shundi Group.
Xu believes Te Tauoma clearly demonstrates that high-density housing doesn’t mean compromising on quality of life and he is confident that its many positive lifestyle aspects will set a new benchmark for Auckland’s property market.
“We’re very proud to be representing the next generation of Auckland apartment developments with Te Tauoma, which is both people-centred and culture-driven,” he says.
