Auckland Central Business District Research Articles

Lalaga: Connecting beyond the name

Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a nation shaped by the enduring effects of colonisation. For students educated in Aotearoa schools, success is defined by the cultural norms, knowledge systems, and values of Pākehā (white) New Zealanders. Research shows that, for students who sit outside this group, a main influence on their educational achievement is the quality of the relationships they have with their teachers. However, relationships in spaces shaped by colonisation (such as education), are hierarchical: they are defined by those in power and value is assigned to the dominant group’s (Eurocentric) beliefs and knowledge. This article documents the steps taken to Indigenise the relationship between learners and adults in one school south of the Auckland central business district. It further explores the effects of disrupting the history of colonisation at this school (Kedgley Intermediate), a large co-ed school in the predominantly brown community of South Auckland, Aotearoa. In the years leading up to 2017, there was an erosion in school culture and a reliance on punitive punishments that reinforced power imbalances between adults and students. Staff had love for their students but lacked understanding of their experiences and values; they couldn’t conceptualise the expectations the community had from those formally educating their children. Lalaga, at Kedgley in Papatoetoe, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), began with a majority Pasifika student population and a predominantly Pākehā staff as a whole-school approach focused on building relationships and moving away from a punitive punishment approach. We argue that, when time is taken to build meaningful relationships between students and staff, power is shared, and education thrives.

Prioritising optimal underutilised historical buildings for adaptive reuse: a performance-based MCDA framework validation in Auckland, New Zealand

PurposeCurrently trending as a practical approach to promote urban and seismic resilience, the adaptive reuse of historical buildings relies on expertise from various professional backgrounds ranging from conservation, urban planning, construction management, architecture, engineering to interior design. This paper explores the applicability of a performance-based multiple criteria decision assessment (MCDA) framework to prioritise underutilised historical buildings for adaptive reuse in Auckland, New Zealand while balancing the diverse interest of all relevant stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachA focus group workshop was conducted for relevant adaptive stakeholders in Auckland, New Zealand, to test the applicability of the performance-based MCDA framework developed by Aigwi et al. (2020) and prioritise four underutilised historical building alternatives for adaptive reuse interventions in Auckland, New Zealand.FindingsFindings from this study revealed the significant potentials of the performance-based MCDA framework, both as an evidence-based measurement tool to prioritise underutilised earthquake-prone historical buildings in Auckland's central business district and as an effective decision-making strategy. Also, the framework allowed the inclusion of diverse stakeholders through the integration of collaborative rationality, ensuring consistency and transparency in the decision-making process.Originality/valueThe successful validation of the existing performance-based MCDA framework in Auckland, New Zealand, using multiple historical building alternatives, further strengthens its preceding validation by Aigwi et al. (2019) using only two historical buildings in Whanganui, New Zealand. The findings provide a theoretical platform for urban planning researchers to advance performance-based planning for adaptive reuse to other locations and fields. There are also interesting implications for local councils, heritage agencies, architects, urban planners, policymakers, building owners and developers in Auckland, New Zealand, as a guide to improving their understandings of: (1) the intangible values of optimal historical buildings perceived by the community as worthy of protection through adaptive reuse; and (2) the targeted needs of communities in the new functions of an optimal alternative from a group of representative historical building alternatives.

Exploring tertiary students' travel mode choices in Auckland: Insights and policy implications

It is crucial that policymakers and public transport operators comprehend tertiary students' travel mode choices and understand the factors that inform these choices in order to manage travel demands effectively and to optimise the use of public transport and improve its quality of service, particularly during the peak hours. This study aims to examine tertiary students' travel mode choices in Auckland, which is recognised as one of the most car-dependent cities in the world. The city is struggling with traffic congestion, particularly around its Central Business District (CBD) during peak hours. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of 1.4 million residents. The main campuses of two major public universities, The University of Auckland (UoA) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are located in the CBD, attracting a large number of daily trips by both staff and students, particularly during the teaching semesters. However, there is a limited understanding of tertiary students' travel mode choices, particularly the factors that inform these choices when they travel to the universities' city campuses. A mixed methodology approach was used to comprehend the travel mode choices of students attending The University of Auckland and to identify the key factors that are drivers of these choices. The data collection included a questionnaire-based survey, which received 249 responses, and 10 semi-structured interviews with students. Thematic analysis was utilised to codify and then analyse the interviews. Despite the significant car dependency in Auckland, the survey demonstrated that most respondents utilised public transport and active modes when commuting to the university's city campus. Seven factors were identified that inform tertiary students' travel mode choices: cost, parking availability and cost, access to a car, travel time, physical environment, reliability, and attitudinal variables. The interviewees mostly argued that travel cost and lack of or limited access to a private car were the primary drivers of their travel mode choices. The study suggests that different stakeholders, such as Auckland Transport (AT) and The University of Auckland, should work collaboratively to provide an inclusive travel demand management policy. The university could rearrange classes for off-peak hours, and AT could offer tertiary students further discounts during these hours. These actions would result in the optimisation of public transport efficiency, improvement of the quality of the public transport service, and mitigation of traffic congestion around Auckland's Central Business District (CBD).

Commute and labour productivity: investigation of inner city construction sites

Purpose This paper aims to identify the impact that commute patterns pose on construction labour productivity (CLP). There is limited research focussed on the impact of workforce transportation on productivity, even fewer in a construction environment. In particular, this study seeks to fill a gap in the understanding of how commute patterns may influence CLP. Design/methodology/approach Key factors reported affecting CLP were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Data were collected from 27 interviews and observational evidence at construction sites on Auckland Central Business District (CBD). Findings Shortage of skills, communication among workers, shirking behaviour, absenteeism and tardiness were perceived as the most critical labour productivity factors that are influenced by commute patterns. It is considered that stressful commutes may lead to shirking behaviours (absenteeism and calling sick). Meanwhile, ridesharing may encourage communication among workers. Research limitations/implications The study was carried out in a central business district, focussing on a geographic area with its particular characteristics. The results, thus, may not be generalised in general urban settings. Originality/value The research outcomes can be used as guidelines for companies considering travel plans for their employees, to minimise the negative impact commuting can have on workers, especially in industries with low productivity.

Validation of Parmotrema reticulatum as a biomonitor of elemental air pollutants in Auckland, New Zealand

ABSTRACTThis study assesses the effectiveness of the lichen Parmotrema reticulatum as a biomonitor of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the atmosphere of Auckland. Samples were collected over a period of 12 months from 21 sampling stations. Once a month, lichens were collected from a ‘clean site’ outside the Auckland urban area and transplanted to 20 sites in the Auckland central business district (CBD). In each occasion, the transplanted lichens were exposed for a period of 1 month at the designated sites. The samples were retrieved for element analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. On the whole, the lichens transplanted to the Auckland CBD sites accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sb, Pb, Th, V and Zn than the reference site. The results suggest that P. reticulatum has the ability to accumulate PHEs and detect changes in air quality.

Source apportionment of air pollutants in the Greater Auckland Region of New Zealand using receptor models and elemental levels in the lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum

Some lichen species can provide environmental archives of atmospheric deposition of potentially harmful elements that can be investigated as records of environmental change. The use of lichens for air quality assessment in New Zealand has not been widely explored, despite their widespread application around the world. Due to this lack of attention, there is no lichen species that has been formally validated for use locally as an air pollution biomonitor although some species have been identified as being potentially useful. The most promising of these is Parmotrema reticulatum. This study assessed the performance of the lichen, P. reticulatum, as a biomonitor of elemental air pollutants by examining the extent to which its elemental composition can provide a meaningful pollution source apportionment modeling in Auckland's central business district (CBD). Using the elemental content in transplanted P. reticulatum, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and positive matrix factorisation receptor models, the major elemental air pollutants in Auckland's CBD were determined. Five sources explained 74.4% of the total variance contained in the lichen dataset. These sources represent elemental contributions from motor vehicles, port activities, biomass burning, marine aerosol and roadside dust or crustal matter. Motor vehicles, Auckland port activities, Biomass burning and marine aerosol were found to account for 11.8%, 39.8%, 10.2% and 6.9% of the overall elemental concentrations respectively. Emissions from roadside dust accounted for 5.6% of the overall elemental concentrations in the lichen data. Evidence from this study suggests that P. reticulatum elemental content be used to model pollution sources.

SCM competencies in construction: issues and challenges in New Zealand

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the nature and extent of current practice of construction supply chain management (CSCM) in the New Zealand (NZ) construction industry; consequently, to examine the challenges and issues that the industry is confronted in implementing an efficient CSCM. The construction industry, which contributes around 5 per cent to gross domestic product, is a vitally important industry in NZ. With over 50,000 businesses, the construction industry is the third largest industry by business count in NZ’s economy (Statistics New Zealand, 2009). Although it is widely accepted that productivity can be improved by adoption of effective supply chain management (SCM), no studies have investigated this at the tactical level in the NZ context. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is used for probing SCM practice on a NZ$75-million commercial project located in Auckland Central Business District. The supply chain network of the principal ground works and superstructure construction stages was studied. Findings – The key findings of the case study suggest that the flow of materials remains the main focus of CSCM practice. It was found that essential skills training for CSCM was extremely limited and largely ill-defined in terms of its nature and content. Finally, it was identified that as the NZ construction industry moves towards a significantly more collaborative framework, the efficacy of CSCM operations is expected to substantially improve. However, this last point did not negate the requirement to expand and improve skills training in CSCM. Originality/value – The results of the case study present that our best industry proponents are inadequate in their knowledge of CSCM as a result of education and training. This is a key issue that needs to be addressed through education at all levels. Similarly, they have virtually nil capability with logistics and the efficiency of transportation as a result of standard contractual costing procedures. Until the SCM/logistics knowledge gap is recognised and addressed, the improvements in logistics and, therefore, SCM will not occur in the NZ construction industry. That said, the findings related to partnering and collaborative thinking in NZ are encouraging. NZ has these elements largely in place already and a willingness to engage, particularly in alliances, in the future. It remains to be seen whether there will be sufficient energy expended in NZ by the leading players to create effective partnering and alliancing through improving SCM and logistics competencies.

The planning and analysis of a new group rapid transit system: the SkyCabs monobeam system in Auckland

This paper examines a case study of the SkyCabs system as a way to alleviate some of the traffic problems of Auckland, New Zealand. SkyCabs is an elevated two-way monobeam carrying light eight-seater cabs on tracks on each side of the beam, available on demand, providing fast, pollution-free, unimpeded travel above the footpath with panoramic views of the city. The aim of this study is to investigate the attractiveness of implementing the SkyCabs system to and from Auckland central business district (CBD) and Auckland international airport by examining four variables: different routes, different number of stops/stations, different passenger demand levels, and different number of cabs in the system. The analysis utilizes geographical information system and simulation tools for the various scenarios considered. The results show that it is possible to assess the cost–benefit of alternative routes in terms of those four variables and rate of return on investment.

The Semiotics of Business Signage: How Typography is Used in Impoverished and Deprived Areas of New Zealand

There is no disputing the fact that Auckland Central Business District (C.B.D) is well positioned within the multinational corporate world community. Walking through the streets of Auckland’s C.B.D one could be anywhere throughout the world as the corporate branding of the world famous companies within the C.B.D are indicative to each other regardless of the country. I work in Auckland’s C.B.D area and on my to work each morning I travel through one of New Zealand poorest areas of NZ, Otara, South Auckland, which has a large percentage of Pacifica residents and has one of the highest unemployment figures in NZ. It is travelling through this town on a daily bases that made me notice how the local businesses are designing and displaying their signage within this small community town and how it has become a synonymous branding, not on a corporate level but more of a community level and one that sits comfortably with the local people. The aim in this paper is to document and examine examples of signage from these poor areas of South Auckland and to point out the subtleties or difference’s from these; in most cases hand produced signage, which is functional but lacks in the traditional form of typographical design, which is well documented in the corporate world. This research project will outline some of the findings that I have encountered on my journey and how important it is to maintain a sense of community within areas such as these.

Neighbourhood identities and household location choice: estate agents' perspectives

Purpose – Previous research suggests that household location choice is determined by factors, such as affordability, family life cycle, distance from work and accessibility to the city centre. The purpose of this paper is to understand other psychological factors that may influence this decision, and specifically the effects of self identity and neighbourhood identity.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology using an interpretive approach is adopted, seeking to understand the complex nature of reality. In‐depth interviews were carried out with eight experienced real estate agents working in two affluent suburbs close to Auckland's central business district in New Zealand.Findings – Findings suggest that, subject to factors such as affordability and availability of appropriate accommodation, individual identity and suburb identity play an important role in determining neighbourhood choice. In addition to these findings, the paper proposes a conceptual model of the construction and manifestat...

Development of the mass participation Ocean Swim Series in New Zealand Interview with Scott Rice, Director, Quantum Events Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand

Scott Rice, a former New Zealand representative swimmer, saw an opening in the marketplace to introduce open water swimming. With the popularity of multi-sport, triathlon, paddling, cycling and running in the country, Scott knew that ocean swimming would capture the sport participant's imagination. He started in 2003 with the King of the Bays 2.8km ocean swim on Auckland's North Shore. The following year the Auckland Harbour Crossing was introduced, with participants swimming from the North Shore across the harbour and finishing at the viaduct in Auckland's central business district. By 2006 the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series was in operation, with five events around the country, and in 2009 a sixth event was added to the series. The State NZ encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part: events now include a beginner's distance of 750m, a tag team relay and a 200m State Oceankids for children aged 10 and under. As many as 1,500 swimmers participate at each stop in the series. Through Quantum Events Ltd, in 2005 Scott created the Beach Series, which takes place over 16 weeks in the summer for ski paddlers, stand-up paddlers, waka-ama [outrigger canoe] paddlers, runners and swimmers. Close to 500 people attend the weekly Tuesday night gathering at Takapuna Beach on Auckland's North Shore. Quantum Events is the event management company which produces both the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series and the Beach Series. Scott and his wife Natasha, who has also had a major part in working within Quantum Events, are now joined by four full-time staff and contractors working on various aspects of the business. GD: What is the role of the pro/elite athletes in this race from a marketing point of view? SR: They can provide the aspiration aspect for younger swimmers. Athletes can benchmark their abilities against these athletes, and this is a sport where you can line up next to the best in the world and compete. From a media point of view, their presence creates some hype around the event and assists in creating 'sporting celebs' in ocean swimming. This allows the events to cultivate an international field as well as to highlight the homegrown heroes. GD: How different would the race be if it only had the age-groupers? SR: From a media point of view, this is hard. We like to provide a human interest story in each of our events that focuses on an 'age-group athlete/celebrity', but like any sport on TV, people like to see the performance of the top athletes and see how the event unfolds. We do recognise the elite swimmers might grab the headlines, but what motivates us as organisers is the everyday kiwis that choose the State NZ Ocean Swim Series as their motivation, their goal, as they look to make a change in their lives. GD: What impact would it have on the viability of the event with only age-groupers? SR: There is a viability of the event without elite competitors. We are talking about 10 to 15 athletes who could be considered elite in a field of up to 1,500. The elite field provides the opportunity for coverage in newspapers and television that you would have to work a lot harder to achieve in a social event. GD: What tensions may exist between catering to the elite field and the large age-group field? SR: In the Ocean Swim Series there aren't any tensions that I can think of--there is usually a major difference in [physical] abilities, so at the start of the race they tend to clear away very quickly. The only issue in the Ocean Swims may come in a two-lap course, where faster swimmers are lapping slower swimmers, which at the end of the race can be the difference between first and second. GD: What is the role of the celebrity entrant? SR: For our event the celebrity plays a role where an event such as this becomes real and achievable to anyone--if a [local television drama] Shortland Street star can do it or a member of parliament, then a 'so can I' mentality exists. …

Urban morphological regions and urban landscape management: The case of central Auckland, New Zealand

Research on urban morphology is essential for both the management of existing urban landscapes and the creation of new urban form. Morphological ideas developed by M.R.G. Conzen provide a basis for conceptual reconstruction of the urban development process and regionalization of the urban landscape. The city of Auckland is undergoing rapid transformation especially in its central area. Though much has been written about the economic development, transportation, environmental management and urban design of the Central Business District (CBD) of Auckland, the physical characteristics of that area have not been investigated in depth. By applying a Conzenian approach, particularly the concept of morphological regionalization, this article investigates the physical fabric of Auckland's CBD. Recognition of the historical stratification of this physical fabric provides an important basis for an integrated framework for planning, urban design and urban landscape management.

Auckland central business district supply failure: the ministerial inquiry

In mid February of 1998, the Auckland Central Business District suffered a power failure that left it with a minimal supply of power for three weeks and shortages and restrictions for another month or more. By the beginning of April, power supplies were sufficient-but still at risk from a single failure. An article in the June 1998 PEJ described the causes and sequence of events of the failure. This article looks at the report of the ministerial inquiry into the failure.

Auckland central business district power failure

This paper describes how, in mid February of 1998, the Auckland central business district (New Zealand) suffered a power failure that left it with a minimal supply of power for three weeks and shortages and restrictions for another month or more. By the beginning of April, power supplies were sufficient-but still at risk from a single failure. It will be several months before the supply is reasonably secure and at least 18 months before a new tunnel carrying two 230 MVA 110 kV power cables is in service.