Restoring the capital after anti-madate protests

As the clean up and cost counting continues after the anti-mandate protests on parliament’s grounds - the ‘people’s playground’ has become a focus for people wanting to chip in and help with the repair bill.

The Studio Pacific-designed Parliamentary Play Space, which has featured here on LAA a couple of times, is even the subject of a give-a-little fundraiser launched by Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons with the knowledge of Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. More than $21 thousand has already been raised.

The ‘people’s playground’ before the damage sustained last week. This Studio Pacific project featured on LAA last year when it made the shortlist for the Landezine International Landscape Awards. Photo credit: Julian Butler.

Fitzsimons says she was upset the slide was affected. “I’m so angry, my kids loved that slide and it was a symbol of our Parliament being for everyone,” she tweeted soon after the fires.

Wraight + Associates Principal Nicole Thompson worked with WCC to develop the design of parliament’s Cenotaph Precinct (which won the 2017 Resene NZILA Pride of Place Urban Space category) a space also included in the occupation of the grounds over the weeks long demonstration.

The WAAL designed Cenotaph Precinct pictured in 2017.

She has not visited the site since the end of the occupation and does not know the extent of any damage that may have occurred but she is hopeful that Parliament will retain the level of openness that is synonymous with Aotearoa New Zealand democracy.

The slideshow below includes images taken around parliament two days after the protest ended.