Cuba Precinct planning



24 July 2025 - from the WCC team
Thank you all for your involvement in the WCC Cuba precinct planning workshops over the last six weeks. 

What we’ve heard

We’ve spoken to around 150 people who live, work, play, study, invest and run businesses in the Cuba neighbourhood. The love for this area is overwhelming and we’ve been grateful to everyone who has shared what makes this area special and the opportunities you see. It’s clear that Cuba Street is magnetic. It feels like a place for people, there is always something to see and do and it’s funky and authentic.

As we look to what stakeholders want for the area, some central themes are emerging:

  • Cuba thrives on creativity. This is a place where you can always see, hear or taste something new or interesting.

    • How do we keep that energy visible and valued? 

  • Cuba is a place that welcomes difference and people of all ages, backgrounds and identities can feel at home. It has grit and personality, grounded in a spirit of care for both people and place.

    • How do we strengthen that spirit through everyday care of people and place? 

  • This has always been a place where creativity, enterprise and community energy spark into life. That's what's made it what it is today.

    • How can we ensure there continue to be the right conditions to create and thrive? 

  • This is a walkable and welcoming neighbourhood where people come to stroll, linger and soak up the atmosphere.

    • How do we extend that feeling further, through wide footpaths, safe crossings, plenty of places to stop, sit and enjoy? 

  • Cuba is layered with histories –  from the whenua of Te Aro Pā and Waimapihi Stream to the waves of migration, enterprise, protest and performance.

    • How do we make those stories visible and honour those who have shaped this space? 

With about 900 post-it notes collected, we’re analysing these to further refine the themes and opportunities to be represented in the plan. 

Next steps
We will give Councillors an update on the plan development - and what’s coming up - on Tuesday 12 August, 10.30am-11.30am.

You can attend in person at WCC offices or watch this on YouTube here - both live and afterwards. We’ll continue to keep you updated throughout the project. If you have further comments on the Cuba neighbourhood you’d like to share, please feel free to get in touch. Attached is the slide pack shared at the workshops.

ICW recently attended a WCC public engagement session inviting people living in the Cuba Precinct area to provide their ideas about possible developments.

This is a report back from the WCC team.