NBW developed a 100-year master plan for Cornwall Park, one of Auckland’s most cherished public landscapes, that carries forward the legacy of its founder, Sir John Logan Campbell. Gifted to the people of New Zealand in 1903, the 425-acre park lies at the heart of the nation’s largest and most culturally diverse city, where it continues to offer a refuge of nature, agriculture, and community life.
Set at the base of Maungakiekie, one of the most significant former Māori pā sites in Tāmaki Makaurau, the park embodies layers of human and ecological history. The master plan honors these intertwined stories while preparing the landscape for a dynamic urban future. Guided by principles of cultural stewardship, ecological resilience, agricultural vitality, and beauty in all things, the plan envisions a landscape that deepens connections between people and the land.
Key initiatives include transforming the park’s circulation to prioritize pedestrians by relocating parking to the perimeter, reconnecting trails, and introducing a new land bridge over Green Lane Road. A comprehensive ecological framework strengthens habitat for native species and reinforces Cornwall Park’s role as an urban refuge for wildlife. The agricultural program, an enduring part of the park’s identity, is expanded through a new farm and education hub celebrating New Zealand’s farming heritage.
Developed in collaboration with the Cornwall Park Trust, Māori leadership, and local experts, the plan provides a resilient and comprehensive framework to guide the park through the next century.
