Source: Radio New Zealand
A concept image showing the view over the development site from Devon Street. Supplied / New Plymouth District Council
Demolition of central New Plymouth’s Metro Plaza building will begin next month, starting a three-stage project to bring daylight back to a section of the Huatoki Stream after almost a century under cover.
The project is part of a $10 million City Centre Strategy, which includes ongoing work to create the West End Crossing shared space in Queen Street and replace Devon Street’s ageing alder trees with native plants.
The council bought the Metro Plaza in 2019 to make way for a greener, more vibrant city centre by opening up the awa as part of a private/public partnership.
The Metro Plaza has covered the Huatoki since 1929.
The new development will include a public walkway and footbridge across the Huatoki, connecting Devon and Brougham streets, alongside new developments by KD Holdings (KDH) on both sides of the awa.
Council general manager delivery and enablement, Helena Williams, said the city centre was entering a busy period of revitalisation, with the Huatoki, West End and greening projects underway alongside the completion of the TSB Showplace upgrade and the start of exterior maintenance at Puke Ariki Library.
“These projects will help keep our city centre thriving, supporting businesses and drawing more people into the city centre. We’re working with contractors to keep noise and disruption to a minimum and we apologise to businesses and other people in the city centre for any issues this work will cause and thank them for their patience and understanding,” said Williams.
“The Huatoki project is a first as we’re partnering with KDH, which owns the property on either side of the Huatoki, and Ngāti te Whiti hapū, in our first-ever public-private partnership.
“Together, we’re supporting the heart of our city as it adapts to changes in the way people live, work and shop, while delivering savings for our ratepayers.”
KDH owner Kevin Doody said the $1.1m demolition of the Metro Plaza was scheduled to be finished in the first half of 2026 and construction of the new development was scheduled to be complete later next year.
“We’ll aim to keep disruption to a minimum as we create this new green space and commercial area. Working with our partners, we’ll be able to streamline construction and complete the work safely and efficiently,” said Doody.
Ngāti Te Whiti Hapū spokesperson, Julie Healey, said opening up the Huatoki reflected Ngāti Te Whiti Hapū values as supported in the City Centre Strategy.
“The awa has great historical and cultural significance for Ngāti Te Whiti and we look forward to bringing its presence back into the city for the community to enjoy.”
At a glance:
- NPDC bought the Metro Plaza in 2019 and it has been unoccupied since late last year (2025).
- The demolition and construction would be carried out by KDH along with the demolition of KDH-owned buildings on Devon and Brougham streets.
- The Ngāmotu New Plymouth City Centre Strategy was adopted by the mayor and councillors in December 2021.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
