Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: When places lose their soul

Karangahape Rd, popularly known as K Rd, is earmarked for change. Photo / File

What's in a name, you might ask. Be it a surname or place. Everything, to some people. It lets us know who you are, often where you come from, and sometimes a name gives a hint to past and historical connections.

Where we come from doesn't necessarily mean where we were born and raised. Or where we might have property and land interests. It can be a place; a country or city, we moved to and made our home.

Karangahape Rd, and that precinct in Auckland, is a place many have called home over the years. Starting back in the 1800s. A few buildings still standing today date back to the late 1800s.

It was a very colourful, busy place even then. With a shady history to match. But now it is earmarked for change and, although you can't hold back the tide of change, this is something the locals view with a little sadness. Because, with the tidying up of cities and particularly the older parts of inner cities, blandness is often the result.

Not in all cases, as I saw earlier this year in San Francisco. The city wanted to smarten up but retain some of the iconic landmarks in the older areas. They would modernise but wanted distinctive hallmarks left as is. Including the "characters" who populated the areas. They were often why people moved there in the first place. When developers move in, soon after so do the beautiful money people. Boring and bland. Gentrification takes place and the magic that once was, that made the place, is gone forever.

If Karangahape Rd must change, I hope some of those "characters" stay put. But they probably won't or can't. In San Francisco they learnt quickly that it is people who give a precinct character.

When the city started their modernisation programme they thought some of the old identities would return when the developers completed their work. They didn't. They went looking for them.

Many had moved to other areas and those they could find said they weren't happy with the new look. The completed work didn't suit them. They said they felt lost and couldn't recognise anything, so they never returned.

At least city hall listened. As their modernisation and building programme continued, developers were given definite instructions.

Existing residents who wanted to remain within the precinct would be housed close by while the building and development work was taking place. They discussed what a good mix of housing, shopping and entertainment areas would look like. The "characters" took time to visit the construction sites. They met regularly with developers and shared their thinking. A range of affordable housing options were included, along with high-end apartments. Green and community spaces were a priority. The majority of old timers stayed in the area. San Francisco now uses this model for all its inner-city redevelopments. It is a shared experience, with everyone involved adding value to the finished product.

Karangahape Rd was always a controversial place. I spent many happy hours there at my friend's club. Of course, it didn't suit everyone. Rubbing shoulders with brothel workers, criminals petty or otherwise, and a range of other characters who knew life might be short for them so they were out to make the most of it. You didn't go to Karangahape Rd to look at beautiful people. You went there and saw people living life. Sadly, I suspect Auckland will turn Karangahape Rd into another Ponsonby Rd. Bland and uninspiring. But you'll still be able to rub shoulders with brothel workers and crims. Same location, same job description, only dressed better.

-Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.