Firth PaveWare® on show on Taupo’s lake front  

New Zealand’s Lake Taupo region is undoubtedly one of the world’s most unique and picturesque areas. A popular tourist destination, it boasts the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, beautiful forests and snowy mountain peaks, making it a desirable hub for events and activities all year round.  

Keeping this major tourist attraction looking its best for the many tourists that visit the district every year is the job of the Taupo District Council (TDC) who have, over many years, been sprucing up various sections of the township and foreshore with new lighting, furniture, gardens and … expansive areas of Piazza® Paving from Firth.   

“The upgrade to Taupo’s township has been divided up into sections by TDC which have been worked on and completed over a number of years,” says Sara Dickinson, Sales Representative (Taupo / Tokoroa / Turangi) for Firth.  

During the initial consultation and design stages the TDC identified that the product selected must achieve three outcomes … 

• A smooth, non-bevelled surface for the comfort of users; 
• A straight edge to create an aesthetically clean, sharp look; and 
• A colour range to help highlight the colours in the Dacite stone (sourced from local Mt Tauhara) used in the stone walls and sitting rocks - a key element of the design to create a sense of place and connection to the local landscape features. 

… with Firth’s Piazza® Paving, with a honed face, suiting their requirements perfectly.  

TDC has worked with Firth on previous areas of the upgrade and commented that Firth’s paving was chosen because the product was of consistently high quality and durability, and that the uniformity of the product was vital from an installation and replacement point of view … all requirements for public space design. 

“We have used 50 and 80mm pavers – depending on the design and where they were being installed,” adds Sara. “The colours chosen by TDC for use around the township are: Autumn Leaves, Hamilton Mix, Warm Earth and Graphite (all with a honed face). The colours match well with the other features used in the design.”  

With a growing number of mobility impaired residents and visitors to Taupo who have difficulty with traditional bevelled edged paving, which creates an uncomfortable shaking sensation for scooters and wheelchairs, Firth’s Piazza paver is just the ticket.  

“The latest area to feature our pavers on the foreshore looks amazing and shows off our lake front beautifully,” adds Sara.  

Principal: Taupo District Council (TDC) 
Customer: Mitre 10 Mega 
Main Contractor: Camex Civil 
Paving Contractors: DW Landscapes  
Location: Taupo CBD 
Products: PaveWare® Piazza 50 and 80mm paver in Autumn Leaves, Hamilton Mix, Warm Earth and Graphite with a honed face