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- By Kelvin Hieatt, Papakura Local Board chair
Firstly, thank you to those who provided input into Auckland’s draft annual plan – we appreciate your feedback to help us keep things on track.
Papakura Local Board is progressing a wide range of projects within its Parks and Community Facilities work programme, with a strong focus on park development, sports field upgrades, community facility renewals, and improved recreational amenities.
A major highlight is the ongoing development of Opaheke Park, which now features the completed passive park on the non-sport side. Delivered by developer Bellfield Estate, as part of a land use agreement, the passive park incorporates stormwater management design elements, including elevated landforms and basins that absorb overflow from the nearby stream. The park provides a 1.6-kilometre walking and cycling loop, a central connecting path, a fenced dog exercise area, a small bike pump track, and its own carpark.
This winter, the local board has a large community tree planting initiative planned at Opaheke. On the sports field side, work is underway to install new water connections and upgrade two fields with improved drainage and playing surfaces, with two more fields planned when funding allows.
At Prince Edward Park, the local board recently completed an upgrade of the number one softball diamond and is preparing to start construction on new, high-quality changing rooms, which will significantly enhance the park’s usability. A future upgrade to the second diamond will proceed as budgets permit.
Meanwhile, Bruce Pulman Park has seen improvements to the carpark area near Gate A, where the public toilets and campervan dump station are located. Although the Bruce Pulman Park Trust manages the site day-to-day, the Papakura Local Board remains responsible for funding infrastructure upgrades such as carparks, with more improvements planned. The board is also investing in increased parking capacity at South Park off Beach Road, where a new or extended carpark will create additional spaces and ease congestion during training sessions and games.
Community facilities continue to receive attention as well. The Hawkins Theatre recently underwent a major heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrade, making the venue far more comfortable for both performers and audiences. The Elizabeth Campbell Hall is in the midst of a substantial refurbishment that will notably improve its condition and usability.
Further ahead, planning and design work is progressing for new playgrounds at Kuhanui Reserve and Twin Parks Rise, along with renewed upgraded playgrounds at Ōtaawhiti/Ray Small Park and Brylee Drive Reserve.
Looking toward next summer, families visiting Massey Park Pools will be able to enjoy a brand-new, modern splash pad, replacing the outdated toddler paddling pool.
Altogether, these projects represent a significant investment in Papakura’s parks, sports facilities, arts venues, and community spaces—improvements that residents can look forward to enjoying in the months ahead.
