Te Rimutahi, Ponsonby Civic Centre

Overview

After more than two decades of community advocacy, a previously underutilised site on Auckland’s iconic Ponsonby Road has been transformed into a vibrant new civic space: Te Rimutahi. Designed through a community-led process and funded by Auckland Council, the project brings a long-awaited public area to one of the city’s busiest and most densely populated suburbs.

Intelligent Environments was engaged by No Shock Electrical to provide the lighting control systems for the space, working alongside the project’s consulting engineers, BECA. The scope involved supporting both functional and ambient lighting elements across a mix of architectural, landscape, and public amenity zones – ensuring the lighting works seamlessly throughout the day and night.

Objectives

• Support community-led design goals by delivering a lighting control system that enhances the usability and ambiance of the space without drawing attention to the technology.

• Provide seamless automation using daylight sensing to eliminate manual intervention and reduce energy use.

• Ensure flexible lighting control across a variety of outdoor luminaires, enabling different zones to function cohesively for both everyday use and special events.

• Contribute to long-term sustainability by implementing an energy-efficient control strategy in line with Auckland Council’s environmental priorities.

• Integrate effortlessly with architectural features including uplighting, handrail lighting, and embedded LEDs without visual clutter or over-illumination.

Technical Solutions

To support the unique lighting design of Te Rimutahi, Intelligent Environments supplied a range of lighting control solutions tailored to suit the outdoor civic environment:

• Daylight-responsive control:
  A key feature of the lighting system is a daylight sensor that automates when lighting ramps up at dusk and dims or switches off at dawn. This ensures energy is used efficiently and the space remains well-lit during darker hours without manual intervention.
• Multi-zone control configuration:
  The site features a wide variety of luminaires – including dappled downlights and uplights in the covered canopy area, wall and ceiling lights, spotlights mounted to structural I-beams, LED strip lighting integrated into handrails and seating, as well as bollard and pole lights around the perimeter. Intelligent Environments ensured all lighting elements were appropriately zoned and controlled for functionality, consistency, and ease of use.
• Integrated public space lighting approach:
  The control system supports flexibility for different uses of the space – from everyday foot traffic to community events – helping shift the lighting environment accordingly as the space transitions from day to night.

How Lighting Control Supports Civic Spaces

In public environments like Te Rimutahi, lighting plays a vital role in safety, accessibility, and atmosphere. Effective lighting control allows these spaces to be adaptive – responding to both environmental changes and community needs.

By using automated daylight sensors and zoned control, lighting becomes smarter and more efficient, reducing energy waste while enhancing the overall experience for users. Well-controlled lighting improves visibility and comfort without over-illumination, making civic areas feel safer and more welcoming, especially during off-peak hours or seasonal changes.

For councils and developers, intelligent lighting systems reduce long-term operational costs and maintenance while supporting sustainability goals.

Project Outcome

Te Rimutahi now stands as a modern, thoughtfully designed civic asset in the heart of Ponsonby. The lighting control system supplied by Intelligent Environments ensures the space functions exactly as intended – quietly and effectively supporting daily use, community events, and casual gatherings alike.

This project showcases our ability to collaborate with leading contractors such as No Shock Electrical and consultants like BECA, delivering reliable and intelligent lighting control in high-profile public environments. Te Rimutahi is a strong example of how well-planned technology can elevate public spaces – blending seamlessly into the background while enabling meaningful connection, safety, and use.

For more information about this case study or to discuss how we can support your lighting control project, get in touch with us.