Did you know about the pou?

Those who don’t use the Hibiscus Coast Busway (park and ride) may be unaware of the carved Maori pou that was unveiled there on November 7.

It stands above the Silverdale site in a small garden, overlooking the park and ride. It was carved after Auckland Transport asked for expressions of interest for a Maori artwork at the station. The pou, which has inset paua pieces, was carved by the Nga Whaotapu o Tamaki Makaurau Trust, installed at the end of July and unveiled at a dawn ceremony on November 7.

Meanwhile, the expansion of the busway to include more parking, a bus platform and station buildings, is still underway.

Resource consent was granted last July to add a further 127 car parks with the condition that the existing two right turning lanes on Painton Road be modified before the final 90 parking spaces are made operational.

The remaining 37 of the additional car parks are already open for public use.

Construction of the station building and new car parking area (the remaining 90 spaces) is expected to be complete next July.