Contractors are about to start the next phase of work at Baring Square East and it will include landscaping and planting hundreds of shrubs, native grasses and perennials.

Cherry blossom trees will also make a comeback, with six planned along the eastern side of the square; London plane trees will also be planted, as well as scented shrubs like daphne and lavender.

Other plants include purple bidibid, miniature toetoe, red tussock, winter rose, Oak leaf hydrangea and Russian sage.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said new kerb and channelling had been installed along East Street and Cameron Street and now it was time for soft landscaping.

“The landscapers will put in irrigation and new lawn, install new seating, and plant out all the new shrubs and trees.

“We are also finalising the work programme and timetable for relocating the Boer War memorial to Baring Square West, where it will sit with the district’s other war memorials. This will be a tricky job and needs to be carried out carefully, so specialist contractors have been engaged to undertake this important work.”

After the soft landscaping, contractors will begin reconstructing the road between Cameron Street and Havelock Street. This will have angled parks and be one-way north-to-south, with a 30km/h speed restriction.

“This road reconstruction is programmed to begin in August,” Mr McCann said. “The new paved areas will create a welcoming entrance to the new library and civic building, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.”

The clock tower will have a new glass pane fitted soon after a suspected vandalism incident last month. Glass that shattered inside the tower has not caused serious damage and the lights have been glowing purple this week to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III this weekend.

“People might also have noticed that the children’s xylophone on East Street has been removed. That needs repairs after what also looks like a vandalism incident and it should be back in about a month.”