A once neglected corner of Manukau is finding new life, with workers swapping office rooms for walking meetings and locals embracing the transformation of Manu-kau Noa Iho Hayman Park.
By Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata for Local Democracy Reporting
Since reopening in late April, several local workers said they now spend their lunch breaks walking through the wetlands, and praised the upgraded paths, native planting and peaceful surroundings.
Some said they had replaced office meetings with walking meetings.
Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair, said the project had restored wetlands in the heart of Manukau, creating a place where people could enjoy nature close to home.
"You don't have to go to Western Springs anymore. You can come to the heart of Manukau and enjoy the wetlands there," he said.
He said the new wetlands and walkway had created a place where people could walk, exercise and reconnect with nature close to home.
"There's a beautiful pathway alongside the multi-million dollar destination playground that's there as well," Apulu said.
"For a long time, it was a dumping site. Five years ago, you would walk through and see trolleys dumped in the ponds, the stagnant ponds. But now it's alive with wetlands, with birds, and hopefully there's some fish in there, some tuna.
"That's the aspiration – to try and revert it back to its natural state before development came along," he said.
The regeneration was about much more than upgrading a public park, he said.
"It's a project with mana whenua... looking at not just the environmental benefits but the social impact [and] economic impact," Apulu said.
Manu-kau Noa Iho Hayman Park underwent a year-long regeneration project.
As part of the wider restoration of the Puhinui Awa, the project transformed a former stormwater pond into a wetland that filters stormwater before it reaches the Puhinui Stream.
It also restored wetlands, upgraded walking and cycling paths, improved accessibility, and added more than 20,000 native plants and 50 native trees.
Apulu said the project also demonstrated the value of long-term planning and community consultation.
"Things that are celebrated this term were planned for in the previous term," he said.
Apulu said projects such as the park's free public Wi-Fi, new walkways and upgraded public facilities showed how community feedback could shape future investment.
He said the regeneration project was part of a wider vision to bring wetlands and green space back into the heart of Manukau and encouraging more people to use the park.
The project was delivered by the Auckland Urban Development Office and Healthy Waters & Flood Resilience in partnership with Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngaati Tamaoho and Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, with support from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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