Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame

Putahi Whakatetonga

Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame is a network of interconnected public spaces designed to catalyse redevelopment in Christchurch.

A remarkable resurgence

Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame is a transformative urban regeneration project designed to catalyse redevelopment in Christchurch following the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Located between Tuam and St Asaph Streets, the 20,000sqm network of laneways, public spaces, and a verdant Greenway showcases the significant impact of landscape architecture on regenerative and city-shaping projects.

Located on the southern edge of the city centre, where over 70% of buildings were demolished or vacated, Putahi Whakatetonga has now transformed seven city blocks into a vibrant mixed-use precinct. The project has played a vital role in stimulating redevelopment activity to bring life back into the city and presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to integrate the custodial values of mana whenua, Kāi Tahu, within Christchurch’s city centre.

Through innovative archaeological approaches to ecology, landscape architecture, and urbanism, South Frame reveals the area’s history and has seeded a new creative community. Delivered over seven years, the network comprises a Greenway, multiple lanes and outdoor yards. These strategically planned interventions have created a vibrant mixed-use precinct that has attracted investment and the return of commercial activity, particularly among creative industries, educational facilities, hospitality establishments, residences and hotel developments.

Traversing four blocks from east to west, the heavily planted Greenway has established a linear urban garden that acts as a connecting spine. The design weaves together planting, fragments of the site’s industrial past, social infrastructure, and commercial activation into a multi-layered and episodic journey. New urban forests have been designed in partnership with Kāi Tahu, providing a backdrop to public artworks and impromptu street art that characterise this walkway.

The story of stone

A collaboration with Kāi Tahu, through iwi liaison partner Matapōpore, enabled historic values and narratives to enrich the public realm design. Pounamu (greenstone) is embedded into the Greenway paving, referencing the relationship Kāi Tahu has long had with this stone as a valued tool, taonga and object of exchange. At night, the translucent stone glows, as it is lit from below.

Plant selection reflects the value Kāi Tahu place on plants for food, rongoā medicine and craft. Groupings of native plants represent a transect through the flora indigenous to the Canterbury Plains and stretching to the coast.

Mana whenua (Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri) speak proudly about their co-creative role in the project, successfully integrating their values of as custodians of nature into the design process and influencing the design of pavements, plantings, furnishings, signage and place naming.