Located just south of Auckland, New Zealand, Drury Quarry is an active rock quarry with approximately 150 years of remaining rock. In recent years, an affordable housing crisis in New Zealand has pushed people out of Auckland and into the land surrounding the quarry. This masterplan works to integrate the industrial functions of Drury Quarry, the delicate ecosystem of Hingaia Creek, and the new housing developments appearing around them.

To protect the quarry, the land immediately surrounding it was rezoned to light industrial land use. Hydrological and water management studies were done to help stop flooding downstream of the Hingaia Creek, at the town of Drury, which had been experiencing flooding during large storm events. The team proposed a multi-faceted approach to slowing water runoff and increasing water retention, utilizing native planting, creating new wetlands, and implementing water reuse programs in new developments. The team also supported the health of the river and community through the development of wildlife corridors. Proposed wildlife corridors connect the creek with new developments. Surfacedesign worked alongside Maori groups to protect the creek and make it navigable by Maori canoes. In total, almost 1/3 of the land was designated as park space.

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Status: Completed 2010

Project Type: Masterplanning

Collaborators: Boffa Miskell, Beca

Imagery: SDI