Pūtahi Park

The iconic, destination park in Whangarei’s Town Basin, opened in March, 2022.

The $6.6 million, Whangarei District Council (WDC) project provides a dynamic and versatile public space, which includes:

• Interactive Water Feature

• Amphitheatre and Great Lawn for events and recreation

• Covered Balance Play Area

• Public Restrooms/ Amenities

• Links to the Huarahi o Te Whai (Loop Walkway), Town Basin, Hundertwasser Art Center and Wairau Māori Art Gallery and Victoria Canopy Bridge.

Whilst in the employ of WDC, Heather was responsible for delivering all necessary resource consents and planning approvals as a part of the internal project team. A joint District and Regional Council consent was sought and granted for the project, including approvals for all of the required earthworks (including disturbance of potentially contaminated land), landscaping, signage, access, and water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

The project involved collaborative workshops between Te Parawhau, Ngāti Kahu o Torongare and Whangārei District Council, and the development of a cultural narrative that was imbedded in the design process for the Park. The result is an impressive civic space that has allowed for many recreational, arts, cultural and social aspirations of the District to be realised.

Pūtahi Park recently received the Award of Excellence in the 2024 NZILA Awards.