A Truly Special Co Governance Partnership
Working with Auckland Council and Ngāti Whātua Ki Kaipara, who jointly manage Kaipātiki recreation reserve through the Reserves board; Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara (formerly the Parakai Recreation Reserve Board), a co-governance entity that oversees Kaipātiki reserve celebrated the opening of a new, purpose-built playground and reserve.
GreensceneNZ Landscapes was the main contractor directing landscape and civil works with mana whenua to achieve sustainable procurement outcomes, in line with Auckland Councils procurement policy. This reflected the Kaupapa, and values identified by Te Poari ki Kaipātiki to engage Mana Whenua contractors and suppliers, which we did successfully.
The initial stage of works saw considerable landscaping of the front reserve. Recontouring was required to mitigate against the periodic flooding issues. New infrastructure in the form of footpaths, lighting, carparking, drainage, building construction of two homes, a new toilet block, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure and an extensive destination playground were constructed. Resource consent had been granted for the works and detailed design developed ready for commencing the physical works and construction. The project created an open space informal play area and future proofed the floodplain mitigation, improving the overland flow paths and management of storm water across the reserve.
The ethos shared by Kaumatua with the GreenscneNZ Landscapes team was that by respecting the land, the land would respect them. This was demonstrated in the creative use of weather damaged trees and the results are spectacular. Finally, GreensceneNZ Landscapes embraced the concept of co governance and found the process and journey to be extremely fulfilling.
