Category: Auckland Council

Source: Auckland Council

With more than 4000 parks in Auckland, there are outdoor areas in every corner of the region ready to be explored. The east central suburbs of St Heliers, Remuera, Ōrākei and Stonefields are no exception, with beautiful wetlands, kauri dells, playgrounds and basketball courts that beckon to be part of your next weekend adventure.

These four parks might be lesser-known than other spots in the east central suburbs, but they offer treasures worth discovering.

The Maungarei Springs Wetland is an oasis in the middle of one of Auckland’s newest suburbs, Stonefields. The park is built on a former quarry site in the lava flows of Maungarei/ Mt Wellington and features boardwalks through wetlands lined by harakeke (flax).

While walking along the boardwalks at Maungarei Springs Wetland, visitors might see pāpango (New Zealand scaup), kawaupaka (little shag) and matuku moana (white-faced heron).

Not only is it a pleasant gentle walk, but the area is a working landscape, playing a critical role in the environment. The wetland provides important stormwater treatment for the 160ha catchment which drains into it. Treating stormwater helps prevent contaminants such as heavy metals and algal bloom from entering the ecosystem.

The Maungarei Springs Wetland also offers the opportunity to see some unique native flora and fauna. The area is home to the native plant the hairy willow herb Epilobium hirtigerum as well as the pāpango (New Zealand scaup), New Zealand’s only diving duck. Other birds you might see include kawaupaka (little shag) and matuku moana (white-faced heron).

For those wanting a serious walk, the Maungarei Springs Wetland connects to the Stonefields Path which offers a bird’s eye view of the wetlands and a chance to see three pou installations created and donated by Ngāti Paoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Te Ata. At the end of your walk you can enjoy the barbecue facilities at the Tephra Boulevard entrance to Maungarei Springs Wetland.

One of three pou installations created and donated by Ngāti Paoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Te Ata on the Stonefields Path, which is built on the lava flows of Maungarei / Mt Wellington.

Children playing on the swings at Wharua Reserve might enjoy some of the best views in Auckland. This playground is tucked away in Remuera and is a hidden gem for parents, boasting beautiful vistas of Rangitoto, Takarunga / Mt Victoria and Maungauika / North Head. There are lots of activities to keep the kids occupied such as a wobbly slide, carousel, rope climbing frame and a fireman’s pole – kids can even play a game of trying to make their ‘toes touch Rangitoto’ while playing on the swings.

Wharua Reserve in Remuera has an action-packed playground with views of Takarunga / Mt Victoria, Maungauika / North Head and Rangitoto.

The park joins Portland Reserve and Waitaramoa Reserve with a stream that flows to Hobson Bay, home to ducks and other bird life. While in the neighbourhood you could also go playground hopping and check out the play facilities at Shore Road Reserve or the spider’s web climbing net at Newmarket Park.

Wandering through the lush forest in Dingle Dell Reserve, it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of St Heliers. This enchanting 9ha urban ngahere (forest) echoes with bird song and is a favourite with nature lovers and dog walkers. The Dingle Dell Path is a 1.6km combination of tracks and stairs that cross through native bush and over streams, offering cool respite in the summer heat.

Dingle Dell walkway.

Dingle Dell Reserve has an interesting history. In 1842 it was one of four farms purchased by Major Thomas Bunbury, and while he owned the land he planted hawthorn hedges, oaks and weeping willows – some of which are still here today. In 1880 the land was purchased by the Northcote and St Heliers Land Company, who developed the area as a seaside suburb. The space was set aside as a public nature reserve in the 1930s, and during the Great Depression men were employed to fill in the swampy areas. Around this time it was given its name Dingle Dell, a play on ‘Dingley Dell’, a fictional town in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers.

Dingle Dell Reserve is home to many native trees including kauri and is classified as a high value kauri eco system. There are shoe cleaning stations around the dell to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

Kupe Reserve in Ōrākei features an epic adventure playground next to Ōrākei Tennis Club.

Kupe Reserve in Ōrākei packs a lot into this little pocket of parkland. The reserve, which is situated behind the Ōrākei Community Centre, is teeming with things to keep the entire family occupied. The children’s playground features slides and an epic rock climbing wall, and parents can keep an eye on their kids while working out on the outdoor fitness equipment. There’s plenty of courtside action for teens at the basketball half court, and the reserve is also home to Ōrākei Tennis Club, a facility supported by Auckland Council.

Practise your three-pointers at Kupe Reserve’s basketball half court.

Source: Auckland Council

A community-led project is underway for a commemorative sculpture in Muriwai following the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. With 68 Category 3 homes, it has meant many locals have had to leave the tight-knit community – a place they have lived, loved and called home.

Working with Muriwai’s community and local artists, renowned artist Jeff Thomson will transform materials from the suburb’s Category 3 homes into a permanent art installation for all to enjoy.

Located in the heart of Muriwai, the installation will consist of benches and columns up to 4m high made from recovered roofing, concrete, domestic fittings, tiles, bricks and more.

It will be a place for locals and visitors to come to reflect and remember the kindness and generosity of first responders, the community, aid organisations, local government officials and the wider public during the devastating event itself and in the weeks and months that followed.

Through this artwork, the Muriwai community wants to celebrate and acknowledge humanity’s generous and courageous spirit.

How you can help

This community-led project is funded 100% through the support of generous businesses and individuals.

The Muriwai community encourages you to join them for a fundraising dinner and auction on 10 December to raise funds for the sculpture. With delicious food prepared and cooked by celebrity chef Mike van de Elzen and his team, spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

If you can’t make the dinner but would like to support the project you can donate by 8 December.

Learn more about the Muriwai Commemorative Sculpture Project.

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Source: Auckland Council

As New Zealand heads into a summer that’s shaping up to be both warmer and wetter than usual, Auckland Council is urging rural Auckland residents to make essential preparations for any potential extreme weather events—whether it’s extended dry spells or heavy rainfall.

With a shift from last summer’s El Niño to La Niña, forecasters predict higher-than-average ocean and air temperatures, leading to a humid and potentially wetter season.

However, rural properties that rely on tank water are still at risk of water shortages, and Auckland Council is advising these residents to take proactive measures to ensure water resilience in case dry periods occur.

Auckland Council’s General Manager Healthy Waters, Craig Mcilroy, emphasises the need for readiness in rural communities, particularly those that may face isolation during severe weather events.

“Summer is the ideal time to get ahead of any potential water issues.

“Rural residents who rely on tank water should check levels frequently, conserve usage, and plan ahead with a water supplier to ensure they’re well-prepared. While neighbours can lend a hand, it’s crucial to be self-sufficient and ready for any situation,” Mcilroy says.

In response to previous droughts, Auckland Council has established 26 permanent community water bollards across rural areas as a backup drinking water supply, offering 20 litres per person per day during shortages. These bollards meet all drinking water standards and function as drinking fountains year-round.

Auckland Council’s network of 78 rain gauges keeps track of rainfall across the region, allowing the team to monitor water levels. In the event of low rainfall, automatic alerts will trigger actions to set up bollards for bulk bottle filling.

Actions for Rural Aucklanders to Prepare for Summer:

Regularly check your water tank levels and plan for top-ups if needed.

Book water deliveries early to avoid delays over the holiday period.

Conserve water: take shorter showers, maintain tank and gutter hygiene, and consider adding water-saving devices to taps and showers.

Ensure that any livestock using tank water are provided for, especially if dry conditions persist.

If feasible, think about investing in additional tank capacity to better handle prolonged dry spells.

Visit Auckland Council’s website to locate your nearest community water bollard and find more tips on maintaining your water tank for the season ahead.

Source: Auckland Council

Ensuring no disabled person is left behind during emergencies was top-of-mind this month at a hui hosted by Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel.

The hui was an opportunity for Auckland Emergency Management to hear about the experiences and requirements of disabled people before and during an emergency, to share reminders on emergency preparedness and foster relationships with the disability community.

Barry de Geest, co-chair of the Disability Advisory Panel says the hui sparked healthy discussions about how the community and agencies can do better during the next emergency event.

“Natural disasters and emergencies are becoming more frequent, so it’s vitally important that the disabled community familiarise themselves with what to do during an emergency and plan ahead to be emergency-ready.

“The hui generated some candid discussions, and it was great to hear first-hand experiences and ideas from community members about emergency readiness and their own adaptability.”

“It’s important the disabled community and emergency response agencies including Auckland Emergency Management continue to work together, so no one is left behind during an emergency.”

Adam Maggs, General Manager Auckland Emergency Management says the agency will take on board the feedback from the hui and look to continually improve engagement with the disabled community.

“This year we have focused on ensuring all the buildings we could use for civil defence centres are accessible and that there are effective systems for letting the public know where and when a centre is open. We have trained more staff across the council to set up and operate a centre.

“In 2025, we will work with disability organisations to make readiness messages more accessible and so that the experiences of disabled people inform how we train staff and manage responses.”

Also in attendance at the hui were Storm Recovery Navigators, from the council, who work with those impacted by Auckland’s 2023 extreme weather events. The team is already supporting disabled people and whānau and is keen to work more closely with the disability community moving forward.

Mr Maggs says disabled Aucklanders can take steps to be better prepared for emergencies.

“The disabled community, like all communities, could be affected by an emergency situation, such as flooding or a major power outage.

“These often happen out of the blue, so it pays to be prepared in advance.

“Think about how you will know an emergency is happening; how an emergency could affect you; the support you need; having essential supplies for at least three days and where to go if you cannot stay at home.”

“For disabled people, these could include accessibility aids, medications, prescriptions, a medical alert tag, communication aids (e.g. if you are Deaf or cannot speak) and supplies for service animals.

“Think about who would support you during an emergency. It may pay to think about having more than one buddy you can call on for support, as your go-to support person might not be available when something happens. Think about planning for not being able to get home, for being stuck at home or for having to leave in a hurry. Plan for each of the places you spend a lot of time at (for example, work or your place of study).

Useful resources

For information on emergency preparedness for disabled people please visit getready.govt.nz

Please visit aucklandemergenymanagement.govt.nz for information about getting ready for an emergency in the Auckland region.

Source: Auckland Council

The native long-tailed bat, or Chalinolobus tuberculatus, is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most vulnerable creatures.

The species is listed as both nationally and regionally critically threatened, with a high rate of decline due to predation and loss of roosting habitat.

Auckland Council’s Senior Conservation Advisor and bat advocate Ben Paris is leading efforts to understand and protect these bats, especially as they adapt to more urban and agricultural landscapes. He emphasises the need for research and conservation to prevent their further decline.

“These bats are living on the edge. Without predator control at their roosting sites, their populations just can’t survive. Identifying exactly where they’re roosting is critical if we’re going to have any chance at recovery.”

In an ambitious collaborative project, Auckland Council, in partnership with Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua iwi, community groups, and EcoQuest, has committed to a five-year bat survey and tracking programme in the Manukau Lowlands, an area stretching between Waiuku and Pukekohe.

This rural landscape, divided between residential and rural with limited habitat potential, is a surprising discovery for bat activity, first confirmed in 2022.

“To find them in such a place is unusual,” says Paris, “but it’s a vital chance to understand how they’re surviving outside dense forests.”

The next phase of the project focuses on discovering how these bats navigate the landscape, their habitat preferences, and especially where they choose to roost.

“If we know where they roost, we know where to put our efforts. Targeted predator control in these specific areas could make all the difference. It’s a huge effort, and we need to be sure it’s in the right places to be effective,” Paris explains.

To uncover this information, the team will be trapping and radio-tracking bats, a challenging but important process.

Bats are carefully caught using harp nets, either while flying or emerging from tree roosts at dusk. After being fitted with tiny transmitters, they are tracked throughout the night.

“Each night is a race to follow their flight paths across open pastures and small forest areas. It’s not easy, but it’s essential if we want to understand their behaviour,” Paris says.

The tracking process involves a large team of volunteers, iwi kaitiaki, and council staff, all working together to follow the bats across the landscape, triangulating their positions using handheld aerials.

The information gathered will help inform targeted pest management, with the goal of protecting bat populations by controlling their primary predators—invasive mammals like stoats, rats, and possums.

The project is also unique in its leadership structure, as it is co-led by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohau iwi, with young iwi members being trained as certified bat handlers.

“It’s incredibly important to us that this project is led by the community who knows this land best,” Paris says.

“We’re supporting iwi rangatahi to become certified bat handlers, so they can take over this work and be kaitiaki, or guardians, of their own rohe. They’re the ones who will carry this forward.”

Ultimately, this survey is a stepping stone towards understanding how long-tailed bats are surviving in human-dominated landscapes.

“These are agricultural bats now, adapting to life around people, farms, and pasture,” Paris reflects.

“If we can better understand their survival strategies, perhaps they can even serve as natural pest controllers, consuming insects that impact local crops. This study could pave the way for seeing them not only as creatures to protect but as partners in agriculture.”

Source: Auckland Council

A memorial will be built to recognise those lying in unmarked Pukekohe Cemetery graves, many of them Māori babies.

The Pukekohe Cemetery Committee has been established by Franklin Local Board and Ngā Hau e Whā Marae representatives to provide guidance around the memorial and to engage with the community.

Makere Rika-Heke will chair the committee, with Harley Wade as deputy. Tini Astle, Phyliss Bhana, Tearepa Kahi, Sonny Parata and Pare Rauwhero join Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames and member Logan Soole on the committee, with board deputy chair Alan Cole as alternate.

Rika-Heke says it’s important work begin by acknowledging what has already been done by so many others to sustain the calls for a memorial.

“A lot of work is still to be done, and we are all aware of the significance of the project to iwi mana whenua, and to other communities who have whānau resting here,” she says.

“Many of the graves are the resting place of people with family who are with us today. They have endured a lifetime of hurt, knowing whānau rest unrecognised. That is a situation that must be rectified and acknowledged.”

Fulljames says the decision comes out of calls for recognition of the graves in the wake of the publication of Dr Robert Bartholomew’s 2020 book No Māori Allowed, which detailed historic racism in Pukekohe, and the subsequent Reikura Kahi documentary of the same name, featuring Phyliss Bhana and Pare Rauwhero, available on TVNZ online.

“The fact the graves remain overlooked when their presence has always been known, must be addressed with the families involve,” she adds.

“It is an ongoing source of pain that people have their loved ones unrecognised. We have the will and means to correct that. Anybody who has ever visited the grave of a loved one, placed a flower, talked or shed a tear, will understand how important a place to grieve is.”

Pukekohe Cemetery is inactive and is managed by the board as a local reserve.

Council has been approached before about the lack of acknowledgement for unmarked graves at the cemetery but now $200,000 has been budgeted for engagement, design, engineering and consenting (stage 1), and $500,000 for construction (stage 2).

The committee has decision-making responsibility over the memorial, can invite input from specialists and experts, and will be steered by the tikanga of its Māori members (Tainui).

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Source: Auckland Council

More than 30,000 tonnes of food scraps contributed by Aucklanders since the food scraps collections began in April last year have been used to produce renewable energy and fertiliser. 

Auckland’s food scraps have created enough energy to provide renewable gas to 300,000 homes for a month.

As of this month, this renewable energy is now being fed into the national gas pipeline for the first time in New Zealand, with Auckland’s food scraps generating enough renewable gas to regularly supply 18,000 homes.

Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says reaching the 30,000 tonnes milestone is one Aucklanders can feel proud of.

“Thank you to every Aucklander who is helping to keep food scraps out of landfill so they can be transformed into resources. In participating in the food scraps service, you are reducing our environmental impact and contributing to a sustainable future.”

Auckland’s diverted food scraps have also created enough liquid fertiliser to be spread on nearly 100 km2 of productive land; that’s the equivalent land size of 13,500 rugby fields.

By participating in the food scraps service, Aucklanders have saved the equivalent of 19,600 tonnes of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfill. The effect is similar to taking approximately 6,000 cars off Auckland’s roads, or the equivalent of planting half a million trees.

The food scraps are processed at New Zealand’s only anaerobic digestion facility, run by locally owned company Ecogas, which converts the food scraps into biogas, electricity, heat and liquid fertiliser used by farmers and growers in the North Island.

Over 465,000 food scraps bins were delivered to Auckland homes, in the largest rollout of a collection service in Australasia.

Tips for summer

With summer fast approaching, warmer temperatures can bring an increase to pests and odours in the home.

Separating food scraps to put out for kerbside collection or for home composting can seem a bit more challenging, but there are easy ways to beat the summer heat and keep pests and odours at bay.

Prevent pests and odours at home in warmer weather by trying one or more of these tried-and-true tips:

• Pour boiling water over banana skins in the kitchen sink straight after peeling them to kill fruit fly eggs that have hitched a ride.

• Keep vegetable peelings dry. The less moisture the less likely they are to smell and attract flies.

• Throw a handful of baking soda or bokashi zing/bran on top of food scraps.

• Put food scraps in the fridge or freezer (an ice cream container with a lid is the perfect size for this).

If using the kitchen caddy supplied by Auckland Council or another food scraps container for the kitchen, remember to:

• Line the kitchen caddy with Auckland Council pink compostable bin liners – available from retailers and made entirely of cornstarch so safe for home compost.

• Change the bin liners regularly to avoid spills and reduce food odours.

• Empty the kitchen caddy more frequently into the food scraps bin and lock the lid in place.

• Wipe tea tree oil around the lids of the kitchen caddy and food scraps bin to repel flies and other insects.

• Clean the kitchen caddy and food scraps bin regularly – use anti-bacterial spray or dishwashing liquid with water and dry before use.

• Place the food scraps bin in a shady spot – not in direct sunlight.

• Food scraps can be put directly into the food scraps bin, but the liners will help keep pests away if tied up.

Remember to put the food scraps bin out weekly and help continue transforming rukenga kai into renewable energy and fertiliser to grow more kai. Together, let’s help Auckland reach its goal of being zero waste by 2040.

Source: Auckland Council

Eke Panuku Development Auckland is set to take over management of Auckland Council’s ‘Own Your Own Home’ (OYOH) scheme, while it looks to sell individual villages in the scheme over the coming years.

In the interim period before individual villages are sold, the council-owned, currently vacant units in the villages will be refurbished to bring them up to ‘healthy homes’ standard and rented to tenants that are compatible with existing homeowners.

This will ensure there are more people in the villages, which has been a cause of concern from a safety and ‘village atmosphere’ perspective. The sale of a fully vacant village site in Panmure will provide initial funding for improvements with the rental income also helping to pay for the refurbishment and ongoing buy-back of units, making the process cost-neutral for council.

This new approach follows the unsuccessful conclusion of a lengthy process to find a purchaser for council’s full interest in the scheme earlier in 2024. The scheme consists of 150 units in 14 villages, with council’s interest consisting of the ownership of 78 currently vacant units and the buy-back right on the remaining 72 privately owned units.

Villages will only be sold once there are only council-owned units left in them. In other words, it’s only after all the current private homeowners in a village have sold their units back to council that the whole village will be sold.

Eke Panuku General Manager Assets & Delivery Marian Webb says it is satisfying to have certainty on the way forward, especially for homeowners.

“Most of all, we’re pleased to be able to give homeowners a clear answer on the next steps. They have been very patient and understanding, given the challenges of this very complex process.”

In addition to delivering Auckland Council’s urban regeneration programmes, Eke Panuku also manages its non-service property portfolio and provides property-related advice and services. This makes it well positioned to take over management of the scheme and manage the sales process for the villages once they are fully owned by council.

“Our dedicated property management team has the experience and expertise to manage the scheme to a high standard and form strong relationships with existing homeowners. We already manage a significant number of residential tenancies on behalf of council. Crucially, it provides homeowners a single point of contact for resolving issues,” said Mrs. Webb.

“As private homeowners, this new approach does not have any impact on the ownership of their homes. As they are the legal owners, they can remain in them as long as they want, with no pressure on them to sell.”

Auckland Council’s Finance and Performance Committee agreed to sell council’s interest in the scheme in 2022, after a review found it was no longer fit for purpose. Interest in the scheme had consistently declined as the ongoing growth of retirement villages meant prospective buyers were finding them more appealing as they are generally more affordable and provided additional quality-of-life benefits.

In summary, Eke Panuku will:

• Sell the one fully vacant, council-owned OYOH village at 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure and using the proceeds from the sale to begin refurbishing vacant units across the scheme

• Rent the refurbished vacant units to tenants that are compatible with existing homeowners, e.g. similar demographic profile, generating revenue that can be used to help fund refurbishments and the ongoing buy-back of units

• Take over management of the OYOH portfolio

• Dedicate an Eke Panuku property manager responsible for the rental properties, as well as the relationship with the existing homeowners and overall management of the scheme

• Progressively selling entire villages (not individual units) once all the units in them are owned by council. This will be achieved when all existing homeowners in a village have sold their units back to council and only vacant or rental units remain

• Continuing this process until all the villages in the scheme have been sold and the scheme is wound down

High-level timeline of next steps

• December 2024 – demolition of 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure village

• Early 2025 – take 19 Tripoli Road, Panmure to market

• Early 2025 – start refurbishing vacant units across the scheme

• Mid-2025 – start renting vacant units as they become available

Background to the scheme

The OYOH scheme is a home ownership scheme for older people (aged over 65) established in the 1970s by legacy Auckland councils, prior to their amalgamation into Auckland Council.

The scheme is not social housing but provided a means for private home ownership for a segment of older Aucklanders at a time when there were few other options available for people interested in downsizing or moving into more suitable housing for their life stage, without sacrificing their independence. This was before retirement villages became more widely available.

The scheme allowed eligible persons to buy a residential unit from council, at a discounted rate of its market value, after which they became full owners of the units. If the homeowners (or their estate) choose to sell their unit, the scheme requires them to offer those units back to Auckland Council in the first instance, at the same discounted rate of the then current market value.

When homeowners sell their units back to council, the sale proceeds would be re-invested in the scheme and vacant units, before being on-sold again. The scheme was thus intended to be self-funding and cost-neutral to council.

The full scheme is made up of 150 units (mix of 1 and 2-bedroom units) located in 14 villages across the Auckland region, which are all held in a cross-lease structure. The villages span six local board areas and 5 council wards.

Source: Auckland Council

With the warmer season upon us, how about planning a little holiday escape prior to the summer break? Whangateau Holiday Park is an ideal paradise spot close to Auckland for families and friends, large groups and small for your next getaway. 

Just an hour’s drive from Auckland’s city centre, you’ll find this hidden gem of a waterfront holiday park on Whangateau Harbour between Matakana and Leigh. Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings and make yourself at home in a comfy cabin, a powered site for tents or by camping right on the water’s edge.

There are also retro caravans available for hire for those who prefer a more vintage feel and some of the comforts of home. With excellent amenities, including play areas, barbecues and cooking facilities – your perfect holiday escape awaits.  

A few of the many activities to enjoy during your stay include swimming, pontoon access, fishing or exploring the tidal harbour; pedal carts, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards available for hire; playground and next-door sports fields, outdoor chess set; barbecue area, picnic tables and a recreation room with the all-important air hockey table! Even some spectacular snorkelling can be found right out front, 45 minutes either side of high tide.

As an Auckland Council holiday park, you can book a wide range of accommodation options and facilities to suit your needs, including waterfront powered sites, family cabins, budget to self-contained units and beachside caravans. While there’s plenty within the holiday park to keep everyone entertained, the surrounding areas are also great to check out, either on the way or as a day’s excursion – from walks, waters sports, food and drink or a little something extra. 

Walks 

Rock pools at Tāwharanui Beach

For those looking to stay active, there’s some epic walks around the area that will surely get the blood pumping, from bushwalks like the Tāwharanui Ecology Trail to coastal walks such as the Leigh Coastal Path, Goat Island Coastal Walkway or a leisurely stroll of Omaha Beach which overlooks Whangateau Harbour.

If you’re keen to take on a bit more of a challenge, there’s Mount Tamahunga Walkway. And while there’s a song out there telling us to not chase waterfalls, we recommend you do, and in these parts particularly, check out the Kohuroa Stream Waterfalls, found along the Matheson Bay bush walk. 

Water sports 

Snorkeling at Goat Island

Speaking of waterfalls, what about water sports? We’ve got you covered too! While there’s plenty on offer within the Whangateau Holiday Park, it’s good to be aware of the vast array of options in the surrounding areas like New Zealand’s first marine reserve Goat Island.

Boasting 518 hectares of protected land, this piece of paradise is a must for leisure visitors looking to enjoy an epic day out in nature. Just over the hill you’ll find Mathesons Bay, another go-to in the area for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking. Or perhaps a surf or boogie boarding in Tāwharanui – here you’ll find beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands. 

Food and drink 

Omaha Beach – the perfect spot for a quintessential summer picnic

You’ll have built up quite the appetite after a walk or a swim, and there’s plenty to choose from. Matakana is a quaint little spot that’s perfect for any foodie, known for its weekend farmers markets, artisan food, boutique shops and vineyards. Just a ten-minute drive away you’ll find Leigh, a small coastal town with heaps to explore and discover, including eateries and bars. And right across from Whangateau Holiday Park, you’ll find Omaha – a welcoming beach community where the quintessential Kiwi summer experience awaits you.

As an added bonus, for the history buffs, there’s also Warkworth Museum nearby where you can learn about the history of the area. Or check out Perry Kauri Park which has recently been updated and now offers a sturdy boardwalk pathway as you walk amongst the giants in the kauri forest.  

Whether you’re after a relaxing getaway, an active holiday full of walks and water sports, or you’re a foodie who enjoys nature and great eateries nearby, there’s something for everyone in these parts. So don’t delay any further, discover the holiday in Whangateau Holiday Park and unwind in a way that suits you best. 

Book your stay today on the Auckland Council website. 

Source: Auckland Council

Over the past year, Auckland Council has engaged over 74,000 Aucklanders in leading climate action. Through grants, education and advocacy programmes, over 61 community groups have been empowered to take action and build their resilience to the impacts of climate disruption. Collectively, Aucklanders have reduced 6,600 tonnes of carbon pollution. That’s the equivalent to removing 3,400 cars from the roads for a year. 

Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says bringing communities’ experiences, actions and strengths to the climate challenges we face in Tāmaki Makaurau is a wise approach to create a future where all people thrive. 

“By harnessing the collective wisdom and ingenuity of iwi and communities, we are supporting and enabling bold, community-led climate action,” says Cr Hills. 

“As well as financial support, we’re providing community leaders with the resources and connections they need to understand the impacts of different climate solutions and equipping them to leave a positive legacy for future generations.”  

Through working closely with communities, the council has: 

• Allocated 20 per cent of grant funding to support Māori, Pasifika, Asian and youth-led climate projects  

Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities programme 

The Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities programme at the Auckland Botanic Gardens Experience Centre has been funded by the Storm Response Fund since early 2024. Students learn hands-on about building flood resilience to heavy rainfall events.

To date, over 520 people from five schools have explored how nature-based solutions can prevent flooding, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity. The programme also funds students to take follow up action back in their schools, motivating wider collective action on climate disruption.  

Susie Bettany, Auckland Council Senior Sustainable Schools Advisor, sees this programme as vital for community planning to climate disruption. 

“As we experience more extreme weather events due to climate disruption, communities in Auckland are experiencing repeated flooding and damage to the places they care for.  

“Due to the disruption to our climate, experts predict that 20 to 30 per cent more rain will fall in short timeframes during weather events with nowhere for the water to soak into,” Ms Bettany says. 

“We’re supporting schools to become more spongy and soak up this extra water. It’s a great opportunity for students to learn and be empowered to make a difference in their communities,” says Ms Bettany. 

Check out the video about Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities, here. 

Māra kai and food resilience programmes 

Through Mana Ora: Students Decarbonising Schools and Mātātahi Taiao, Auckland Council is supporting the development of māra kai (food gardens) and food resilience programmes in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori.

With combined funding from Auckland Council, the Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund, and the Ministry for the Environment five kura kaupapa and kōhanga reo have been supported to establish food gardens to grow kai and provide storage for ongoing food security and resilience. 

Auckland Council Senior Māori Advisor, Erana Whaiapu, says the māra kai serve as learning hubs for the whole community. 

“The aim is to protect future generations by fostering intergenerational learning with whānau in the community. By drawing on traditional Māori knowledge systems of our ancestors, we’re taking climate action through a Māori worldview,” says Ms Whaiapu. 

“The council is providing resources, tools, and support to empower communities to not only understand their local challenges, including water and flooding risks, but also to take action.  

“For example in our neighbouring region, Kaipara, we’ve seen recent storms disrupt the supply of kūmara, driving up the prices. As these events become more frequent, it’s essential that communities have the skills and resource to grow their own food – iti noa, he pito mata, a small seed can support many.” 

One māra kai project enabled students to learn how to grow kūmara and saw 135kgs of produce harvested and distributed to kura whānau last year. The remaining kūmara were used as seed for the following harvest to create a circular economy, reducing waste and carbon pollution. 

Find out more about the community climate action projects delivered in the last year. 

Schools or teachers interested in Spongy Schools, Spongy Cities can find out more info here.