In 2020 and 2021, as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) funded a streetscape improvements programme based on Tactical Urbanism Principles. The programme was designed to trial different approaches to improving streetscapes and urban spaces on a temporary trial basis. Communities were asked for input, the improvements trialled, reviewed and then either made a permanent improvement or removed entirely. This ‘Innovative Streets’ Programme was conducted New Zealand-wide.

Manukau City Centre (located in South Auckland) was a funding recipient in Round 2 of the WK-NZTA Innovative Streets Programme with Eke Panuku Development Auckland (Panuku) as the project lead. cOlab provided Panuku with advice on the project’s design and communications (story-telling) aspects..

Part of a two-way street in Manukau City Centre was turned into a one-way street with street furniture added. cOlab’s task was to review the design and initiate the appropriate story-telling across digital platforms to engage local communities in the work. At the end of the trial in late 2021, the positive feedback received, enabled the design to be made permanent from 2022 onwards.