One of the fastest growing urban areas in the country, Rolleston has seen its population grow from a modest 2800 in 2001, to over 28000 in 2023. The accelerated growth curve really kicked in from 2010-11, after Cantabrians moved out of the earthquakes hit streets of central Christchurch, to the less impacted suburbs.

The centrepiece of the changes is Te Ara Atea, a library and community centre, with a design inspired by bygone images of the nearby Waimakariri River after flood, which would leave rippled patterns imprinted in the sand. Spaces by the adjacent buildings would follow a design that similarly takes its visual cue from the surrounding landscape. The roads leading to the area are predominantly low-speed, with a focus on being cycle and pedestrian friendly.

Keeping through-traffic was a priority, and rather than divert cars from the area the centre has been designed to let drivers pause and stop, exploring the amenities and hopefully spending in the retail stores and cafes. To do this, plentiful parking is offered but there’s also a significant visual enticement. Wider berms allow for landscaping, with trees, greenery and small garden areas with seating, creating that small-town feel where you can sit and relax in the unhurried manner of yesteryear.

To achieve the desired feel, a number of classic NZ natives have been planted, accentuated by deciduous exotics that connect the space to the regions European ancestry, such as the English Ash (Fraxinus Excelsior) and Turkey Oak (Quercus Cerris), which while from Southeastern Europe, has been a staple of the English countryside since the 1700s.

To bring birdlife to town, the native Lacebark works its magic, with small star shaped flowers that often prove to be irresistible to bellbirds and tuis. This is a hardy tree, known to flourish in most locations and versatile enough to work as a specimen tree, in group plantings or even to form screening.

Driving through Rolleston is hard. Not because the roading is difficult but because the landscaped town centre beckons you to stop. It makes you want to take a load off and take it easy. It’s a streetscape designed to provide a wonderful centre for a growing population – which it does. In fact, we think the changes will boost the population further. After all, it is most certainly a pretty place to live.

With special credit to Selwyn District Council and the install team.