Council shares sneak preview of new Guyton streetscape

Published on 13 March 2024

With work set to begin on the final stages of the Guyton Street revitalisation later this month, Whanganui District Council has shared an artist’s impression to help the community visualise the historic street’s new look.

The new streetscape will feature parklet areas on each block, built around the recently installed raised platforms. The parklets will include wooden planter boxes and seating made from recycled Whanganui port timber – as well as new cycle racks. The plantings will focus on hardy, native species that are well suited to the conditions on the street.

Deputy Mayor Helen Craig, who chairs the Town Centre Regeneration Committee, says she’s delighted with the way the designs have come together – and the subtle way the new features tie in with built heritage along the street.

“Throughout the Streets for People co-design sessions, the community voiced a desire to see new life breathed into this historic Whanganui street to make it a greener, more vibrant, and more inviting destination. I think this design achieves that in a way that is sympathetic to the surrounding heritage values and the needs of the local businesses along Guyton Street.”

Deputy Mayor Craig says she’s also excited by the diverse range of art that will soon adorn the street.

“Near the new parklet, vibrant artworks will be displayed in bespoke light boxes – acting as open air galleries showcasing local artists. The works will be refreshed with new works on an ongoing basis. What’s more, designs by talented mana whenua artists from Te Rūnanga o Tupoho and Kaitoi o Tamaupoko will be displayed alongside heritage photography to transform the windows of untenanted shops into spaces for captivating visual storytelling.” 

Whanganui & Partners’ Strategic Lead for Creative Industries, Dr Emma Bugden, says having indigenous art and design play such a key role in the project reflects our position of leadership as a UNESCO City of Design.

“Projects like this, which elevate the principles of indigenous design are integral to our recognition as a City of Design. The design work and art that will be on display on Guyton Street will enable Whanganui’s unique stories to be told in an engaging, creative way that can be a source of both inspiration and education.”

Council’s Community Property and Places General Manager, Sarah O’Hagan, says local businesses along Guyton Street are looking forward to seeing everything coming to fruition with the new streetscape.

“Businesses have already told us they’re loving the new, calmer atmosphere on the street since we changed the road layout. I think they’ll be even happier once the streetscaping work is complete and the fabulous community art is in place. It’s especially pleasing that we’ve been able to achieve a design that adds so much new space for people to sit and relax – without any loss in the number of carpark spaces.”

The Guyton Street revitalisation project is 90 percent funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency through its ‘Streets for People’ funding programme. The programme encourages councils to work with their local communities to trial streetscape improvements, enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and make streets more inviting, people-friendly spaces to visit.

For more information about this Streets for People project, please click here.