TAUMARUNUI TOWN CENTRE

Bespoke were engaged by Ruapehu District Council to develop a visionary concept for the town centre of Taumarunui, focusing on the heart of the main street while exploring the wider community context, features, and gateways. Early investigations showed that interventions needed to provide incentive to investigate and a reason to stay to generate potential commercial benefits. Synergies were considered with adjacent streets and the railway station building, currently occupied by the town’s i-site tourist information centre. Concept work has begun to renovate this building into a more substantial tourist hub. The town centre concept celebrates inherent aspects to Taumarunui – including its rich cultural history, significant rail history, and the dynamic surrounding natural landscape with its geology, rivers, mountains, and escarpments.The town centre design is structured as a linear park featuring civic, play, and open park spaces.