Kaipara's Pou Tu O Te Rangi Harding Park has earned a prestigious Green Flag Award, internationally recognising its outstanding management, cultural significance, and commitment to providing a high-quality visitor experience. Photo / Kaipara District Council
Kaipara's Pou Tu O Te Rangi Harding Park has earned a prestigious Green Flag Award, internationally recognising its outstanding management, cultural significance, and commitment to providing a high-quality visitor experience. Photo / Kaipara District Council
A Northland park has been stamped with an international seal of approval, gaining one of this year’s prestigious Green Flag Awards.
Twenty-three parks and green spaces across New Zealand were recognised this year, with only one in this region - Kaipara’s Pou Tu O Te Rangi Harding Park.
It was the first time the park had received the award, and to qualify, it had to meet specific criteria and standards for park management, sustainability, community needs and best practices.
Recreation Aotearoa parks, play, and open spaces manager Kieran Smith said the recognition was a significant achievement for the small but dedicated team that cares for the culturally and historically significant site just south of Dargaville’s town centre on the western bank of the Northern Wairoa River.
The park spans approximately 15.67ha and offers numerous attractions, facilities and natural features, including mountain bike tracks, and is home to several community-based organisations including the volunteer-led Dargaville Museum – Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi, and the Kaipara Heritage Machinery Museum.
Kaipara’s first permanent StoryWalk was also recently installed.
Community services manager for Kaipara District Council Glynis McCarthy said the award is a testament to the dedication and care the team puts into Harding Park.
“Many hours of care and thoughtful planning go into ensuring the park continues to be a major asset for the Kaipara community. This recognition reflects the pride our team takes in creating a welcoming, well-maintained safe space for everyone.”
This Kaipara District Council (KDC) team has been awarded a Green Flag for its commitment to Pou Tu O Te Rangi Harding Park. From left: Bernie Shannon (Downer Contracting), Selena McMinn (KDC), Jason Searle (Downer), Joy Wedgwood (Museum Representative), Jo Macfarlane (KDC), Sadie Cogan (Time To / Kaipara Cycling), Jane Rawlings (Museum Representative). Photo / KDC
Smith said, “This award highlights the exceptional standards across Aotearoa’s parks and recognises those who care for and maintain these vital community spaces.
“Parks sit at the heart of our communities. They are places for connection, recreation, play and learning. They are also spaces that can hold significant cultural meaning,” he said.
“The Green Flag Award helps applicants show their success, gain constructive feedback, and share knowledge with industry experts. It supports continuous improvement and showcases the outstanding work happening in parks across the motu,” Smith said.
The playground at Kaipatiki Reserve, in Parakai. Photo / Auckland Council
Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri track in the Northern Waitakere Ranges. Photo / Auckland Council
The other four New Zealand parks to feature this year were all in Auckland: North Shore Memorial Park - a previous Green Flag Award recipient - was again recognised for its high standards in management, sustainability, and visitor experience; Kaipātiki Reserve and Te Piringa / Cascade Kauri, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park earned the international recognition for the first time.
Randwick Park in South Auckland has once again been recognised with the Green Flag Community Award, highlighting the long-standing commitment of RPSC Trust, For A Cause Ltd, and the local community.
Smith said, “Randwick Park continues to stand as a flagship example of community-led stewardship in Aotearoa”.
The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.
