Championing the Manukau Foreshore

The Manukau Foreshore is an ecological and recreational gem. We love the native bush, the picnic spots, the track network, the hidden beaches, and the wonderful bird life.

On the Puketapapa Local Board we have been champions for the Foreshore, Michael has overseeen

work in this area as the Board's Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio-holder. He has also been a keen rat and possum trapper along the foreshore over the past eight years. 

We've been able to achieve a lot over the past three years, including:

• Overseeing extensions to the track network at Waikowhai, Hillsborough Cemetery, and Cape Horn.
•  Leading the project to develop a new coastal walkway linking Onehunga to Taylors Bay.
•  Developing a community-led vision for the Foreshore to guide our priorities in the years to come.
•  Securing a ten year funding programme to control weeds along the coastal reserves, now in action.
•  Pushing for the development of the new walkway through Lynfield Reserve (under construction).
•  Taking action to protect and preserve the historic Waikowhai changing sheds.
•  Launching the campaign to Bury the Pylons that blight our Foreshore and neighbourhoods.

In the next term we want to build on this work, and in particular we are keen to help support the newly formed Waikowhai Forest Restoration Network, and to make further progress on completing the track network, including the provision of useful, integrated signage, and appropriate facilities.

With your support we can further enhance this very special place in our community.

New Playground at Keith Hay Park

 The new playground at Keith Hay Park is now mostly open and well worth a look. It is tucked in behind the changing rooms at the northern end of the Keith Hay Park carpark so takes a bit of finding.

As these pictures show it is a real step-up from the standard module playgrounds we are used to, with many innovative features including an amazing climbing frame, in-built tramplines, and a fun astro-turf ramp leading up to the slides.

On the Board we strongly pushed for a more interesting design for this playground and it has certainly paid off. More generally, we have initiated a review of all upcoming playground renewals in Roskill to ensure that we get good outcomes that meet local community needs.

We are committed to building a child-friendly Mt Roskill.


Update:  You can see an album with loads more pictures (and lots of people using the playground) via our Facebook page.