Op-ed: Let’s shape Cuba Street’s future together - by Mayor Tory Whanau

I saw Wellington City at its best: CubaDupa showcasing the best of our arts, street life, kai and even the weather. This event is always a summer highlight for me, and this year, the Council partnered with the organisers to expand it further by closing Cuba Street for the three weekends leading up to CubaDupa.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’ve seen firsthand the number of people enjoying our local businesses more with such an open space. It makes me wonder how we can capture more of that amazing CubaDupa vibe throughout the year.

Over the next 12 months, we’ll be engaging with businesses and the wider community to gather insights, understand their aspirations for the area, and identify both challenges and opportunities.

The insights will then be used to develop a Cuba Street Precinct Plan to guide future actions and investment in the area. We’ll be exploring the full range of possibilities, from the small wins to longer term, more ambitious aspirations for change. Like we did with CubaDupa, this is a great way to test out initiatives before making things permanent.

This is a truly collaborative process that prioritises community and business input. We will also consider the many suggestions made over the years, such as widening footpaths and creating more space for people to enjoy.

You can help us understand what makes Cuba Street special, and importantly, how we can make it even better. Tell us what you love, what you don’t, and how we can improve it. Is it the street’s buzzing, artsy and edgy vibe? Does it have the right mix of cafes, restaurants, and shops?  Share your experiences and aspirations for Cuba Street in our super-easy online survey.

Cuba Street Survey

Our central city is currently undergoing a significant transformation. Te Ngākau/Civic Square is nearing completion, and construction will soon begin on the upgrades to revitalise Courtenay Place. We are well on the way to positive change that will bring so much life back into our city – just as CubaDupa did.

While we anticipate small-scale collaborative activities and trials following our precinct plan, significant decisions will not be made prior to 2026. This timeline underscores our commitment to a community-driven approach.

This is Wellington’s way of embracing people-centred urban design, and creating a more sustainable and economically vibrant city.

Those who started CubaDupa had a bold vision for a central city festival, and they made it happen. This kind of bold thinking and can-do attitude is exactly what we need as we work to revitalise Wellington City. Let’s build on Cuba Street’s success to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and accessible future for our city.