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An innovative digital portal has opened allowing visitors to design their own custom walking tours of Auckland.

Incorporating a range of categories such as arts and culture, cycleways, walking routes, heritage spaces, urban forests and Māori sites of significance, the interactive citizen’s information hub, Pā Rongorongo, is located in Griffiths Gardens, the inner-city backyard for residents, workers and visitors.

In a New Zealand first, Pā Rongorongo lets visitors and Aucklanders build a walking or cycling tour that is unique to their own interests. This custom map can be sent as a text message link to their mobile phone or, in future, printed out on site.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff explained “Pā Rongorongo is a central hub for Aucklanders and visitors to access up to date information about the development and future of our city. It’s a great new public facility where Te Reo is spoken and where Auckland’s strong Māori identity is celebrated through design.”

Constructed of two shipping containers with a special surface that glows in different colours, Pā Rongorongo features an interactive digital wall that will be programmed by local artists.

Features of Pā Rongorongo:

• The Citizen’s Information Hub or Pā Rongorongo, is located at Griffiths Garden on the corner of Wellesley and Albert Streets.
• The interactive digital portal will display a range of mapped information on Auckland’s city centre including arts and culture, events, transport, current and future development sites, City Rail Link, cycleways, walking routes, public facilities, community spaces, sports and recreation, public art, heritage places, urban forests and Māori sites of significance.
• A 3D printed model of sections of the city centre.
• The For the Love of Bees Auckland Heritage seed bank.
• Exterior digital wall and façade programmed by artists in residence.
• The first artists in residence are two members from the FAFSWAG arts collective.
• Full time staff member fluent in Te Reo to answer questions and gather feedback.
• Poster displays and brochures.
• Information on free guided tours of city centre developments and arts and heritage projects.

Pā Rongorongo will be able to be booked by community groups for events, exhibitions and discussions.

In March, Pā Rongorongo will celebrate Auckland Transport’s Walk Month with a series of free walking tours including a behind the scenes look at the City Rail Link project and the New Zealand Fashion Museum’s popular fashion houses from the past tour.

Pā Rongorongo is a joint project between Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.

Image: Pā Rongorongo at night. 

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