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‘We deserve the same’: Millions of dollars investment reverses years of underfunding

‘We deserve the same’: Millions of dollars investment reverses years of underfunding

The new play area at Aorere Park features a slide, rope play area, swings, water play area and toddler play area.

The new play area at Aorere Park features a slide, rope play area, swings, water play area and toddler play area.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

A Pacific community leader is praising improvements to parks in South Auckland, saying they make up for decades of underinvestment.

Apulu Rhys Outagavaia, chairman of Otara-Papatoetoe Local Council, says the area has long been ignored by decision-makers.

“That’s why the local council recently upgraded Aorere Playground and changing shelters, Hillside South Playground, Othello Playground, Ngati Otara Playground, clubrooms and netball courts, Pearl Baker Playground, as well as new toilets and changing shelters at Te Puke o Tara playing fields. “

Ōtara Papatoetoe and Māngere Ōtahuhu Local Council funding has enabled the upgrade of several playgrounds and facilities, including the Pearl Baker Nature Reserve in Ōtara, the Puhinui Domain in Papatoetoe, the playground at Aorere Park and Colmar at Papatoetoe Recreation Ground. These improvements include upgraded playgrounds, outdoor sports and fitness equipment, and vibrant community projects.

“We also helped finance the construction of a hockey pitch in Colmar and secured municipal funding to sand the fields at the Papatoetoe recreation ground,” says Apulu.

Papatheotoe Pitch Perfect

The $2 million upgrade has transformed the Papatoetoe recreation area, which was often plagued by rain delays. Papatoetoe Football Club is now enjoying “ideal” conditions thanks to improved drainage, sandy substrate, improved irrigation and new LED lighting, making weather delays a thing of the past.

In addition, Colmar’s hockey field has been brought up to international standards, promoting the development of community sports and inspiring future athletes. Supported by Ōtara Papatoetoe and Māngere Ōtahuhu local councils’ awards for excellence, young athletes including the Papatoetoe FC Under 12 Rugby Football Club Mixed Team and the Red Diamonds Under 13 Open Women’s Team recently toured Brisbane .

A $2 million upgrade to the Papatoetoe Recreation Grounds includes new lighting and drainage on the rugby field.

A $2 million upgrade to the Papatoetoe Recreation Grounds includes new lighting and drainage on the rugby field.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

Fitness features for everyone

The Aorere Park playground, a popular spot in the Papatoetoe and Mangere East communities, was long overdue an upgrade after 25 years of no improvement. Fitness equipment has been installed so adults and older children can exercise freely. The $2.2 million rejuvenation project also added new facilities, including a slide, ropes play area, swings, water play area and toddler area, as well as new restrooms and locker rooms for sports teams.

Pearl Baker Preserve's new upgraded facilities include a walking path designed for people with disabilities and young families with strollers.

Pearl Baker Preserve’s new upgraded facilities include a walking path designed for people with disabilities and young families with strollers.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

Plant today for tomorrow’s harvest

Seventeen fruit trees have been planted at the Puhinui site in Papatoetoe as part of a fruitful rejuvenation project. The new garden features fig, apple, nectarine, peach and Japanese plum trees, as well as edible shrubs such as laurel. When these trees mature, they will provide fresh fruit to the population. Careful planning also included native trees such as puriri, which provide food for native birds almost year-round. Kereru enjoy fruits, while tui and korimako (bells) enjoy flowers.

This orchard initiative is part of the Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui regeneration project led by Eke Punuku to revitalize Te Puhinui (Puhinui Stream). The creek flows from Totara Park through the suburbs to Manukau Harbour, and the sustainability project highlights the vital link between Te Puhinui’s health and community well-being. The long-term goal is to provide sources of kaya (food) to the community and enhance food sovereignty.

The Puhinui domain at Papatoetoe has 17 fruit trees planted, creating a garden of free kai for the community.

The Puhinui domain at Papatoetoe has 17 fruit trees planted, creating a garden of free kai for the community.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

The Puhinui Domain upgrade is part of the Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui restoration project, which aims to improve the health of the Puhinui Stream and the well-being of the community.

The Puhinui Domain upgrade is part of the Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui restoration project, which aims to improve the health of the Puhinui Stream and the well-being of the community.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

Pearl of Otara’s Eye

Large climbing nets, ninja logs, swings, a mini trampoline, a carousel/spinner and a mini tower for preschoolers are among the latest features to grace the new playground at Pearl Baker Preserve. In addition, a colorful half-basketball court has been added for group sports, as well as new exercise equipment for adults and teenagers to stay active in the fresh air.

The community of Otara now has an outdoor recreation area accessible to young families and people with disabilities thanks to an upgraded stroller and wheelchair-friendly walking path. This vision was inspired by the late Faanana Epheso Collins. The $1.3 million refurbishment has revitalized the popular playground and refreshed the footpaths around the reserve, which leads to the nursery, primary school, te kohanga reo and East Tāmaki Rugby Football Club.

The new playground at Pearl Baker Preserve includes a colorful climbing net tower, ninja balance beam, swing, mini trampoline, carousel/spinner and a mini tower for preschoolers.

The new playground at Pearl Baker Preserve includes a colorful climbing net tower, ninja balance beam, swing, mini trampoline, carousel/spinner and a mini tower for preschoolers.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

Adults can keep fit on the outdoor exercise equipment at Aorere Park in Papatoetoe.

Adults can keep fit on the outdoor exercise equipment at Aorere Park in Papatoetoe.
Photo: Delivered / Auckland Council

South Auckland deserves the same too

“We still have a lot of work ahead, including at Rongomai Park, East Tamaki Nature Reserve and Kohuora Park. Of course, we are proud of the playground at Manu-kau Noa Iho Hyman Park. This is the first playground in South Auckland,” adds Apulu. .

“The Otara-Papatoetoe local council area is one of the youngest in the Super City. It just makes sense to make sure that public spaces are suitable for the needs of our young population. For a long time, our families have told us that they have to travel outside the area to visit parks with quality amenities. Now we see our families staying local and enjoying the new upgraded playgrounds,” he says.

“There are quality public spaces in other parts of Auckland…we deserve the same too!”

LDR is local journalism jointly funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.