Freyberg Place, Auckland

Freyberg Place, also known as Freyberg Square, is a small urban square situated in Auckland. It's named in honor of Baron Freyberg, a notable military figure and the first Governor-General of New Zealand who hailed from New Zealand itself.

The square was officially inaugurated back in 1946, and the choice to christen it as Freyberg Place was quite fitting, given its modest size and the fact that Baron Freyberg was affectionately known as "Tiny."

In recent years, the square has undergone substantial renovations and reopened its doors on September 15, 2017. Today, you can find a pohutukawa tree, several nikau palms, and numerous concrete steps that serve both as seating and decorative elements. The square also houses an ornamental fountain and a statue of Baron Freyberg in his World War II uniform.

As part of the revitalization efforts, the road that previously passed through the square has been transformed into a shared space. In 2018, there was a proposal to convert this shared space into a fully pedestrianized mall, with restricted access for emergency vehicles only.

Freyberg Place is centrally located, nestled between High Street and O'Connell Street, right in the heart of Auckland's Central Business District (CBD). It neighbors Chancery Square and serves as a frontage for the Ellen Melville Centre, which opened its doors in 1962. On the opposite side of the square, you'll find the Metropolis building.