Demolished Japanese Garden could be rebuilt at new site

The area at Auckland Zoo where the Fukuoka Japanese garden used to be. Photo / NZ Herald

The Japanese Garden which was demolished last year at Auckland Zoo could be rebuilt in a new site at Western Springs Lake in 2016.

The site, which is next to the park entrance from the Zoo's car park, has been endorsed by the Auckland Council parks, sport and recreation committee.

The estimated cost to re establish the Fukuoka Friendship Garden is $1 million.

The next step is to seek council's backing for $269,000 for the design and a budget commitment to do the whole job over two years.

Councillor Cathy Casey, who headed a site committee, said it would be nice to mark a 30-year sister city relationship with Fukuoka in 2016.

"We have to make it the biggest garden we can within the budget that may be allocated later this month and make sure we do it once and do it right."

The demolition upset Auckland's Japanese community, and Mayor Len Brown was forced to make an apology to the Mayor of Fukuoka, which gave the garden to Auckland in 1989.

Friends of Fukuoka Friendship Garden representative Lee Elliott said the site was close to the original garden and would be free for all to view as a "beautiful and restful garden."

The Fukuoka Greenery Department would help to install the garden.