InterAktive_Long-term Plan issue_April 2025

APRIL 2025 INTERAKTIVE SPECIAL EDITION
FOCUSED ON THE LONG-TERM PLAN 2024-2034 ADVOCACY OUTCOMES

03
11
CONTENTS
03 Kia Ora and welcome >
06 Reflections: Mayor Wayne Brown >
07 Your Voice: Rachel Kelleher >
09 Sport and recreation funding on the up >
11 Facility proirity plan delivering for Auckland >
13 Funder unite for Auckland’s active future >
14 Priority projects moving forward forward in
07
Tāmaki Makaurau >
15 West Auckland Riding for the Disabled >
16 Colin Dale Park International Raceway >
18 AUT Millennium Track Upgrade >
19 Wero Climb >
20 Funding helps the sport and recreation
world go round >
21 Here to help >
14 21
2

KIA ORA
Welcome to our special edition of InterAktive, taking a look at the
progress that has been made with all things active environments
since our Long-term Plan 2024-2034 advocacy efforts.
With Jennah Wootten
Chief Executive, Aktive
Aktive is proud to have a bold
vision; that Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland is the world’s most active city. Our
2024-2028 Strategy is underpinned by an equity
approach to ensure our investment and efforts
are centred on people and communities that are
missing out, specifically tamariki and rangatahi.
You can check out our Strategy “in action”
by watching this short video >
What I hope you’ll see is that our Strategy
is more focused than ever, comprising four
focus areas where we believe Aktive can
have the greatest impact: participation;
strengthening sector organisations; funding
and advocacy; and active environments.
The latter means delivering fit-for-the-future
facilities and open spaces that make it easier for
Aucklanders to be active, as well as protecting and
strengthening public and natural environments for
sport and physical activity.
We know strategic planning and infrastructure
delivery are imperative to ensure that Aucklanders
have accessible, future-ready sport and recreation
facilities, while also preserving public and natural
spaces to promote active lifestyles. We also know
every funding
dollar counts,
particularly with
the scale of the
significant facility
delivery challenges
we have in Tāmaki
Makaurau.
3

KIA ORA
Aktive is clear that we are stronger and
can achieve more for Tāmaki Makaurau and
Aucklanders when we work with others. That’s
why we threw everything we had at a planned,
strategic and sharply focused 2024-2034
Long-term Plan advocacy. We are so thankful
to all of the sector organisations that lined up
with Aktive to champion these critical areas. If
you cast your mind back, amongst other points,
we proposed providing strategic guidance
grounded in evidence for funders and decision
makers; the completion and opening of facility
developments for community use; and additional
funding to enable facilities to be delivered. We
also advocated for increased access to school
and kura facilities for the wider community and
strategic engagement between civic leaders and
the Ministry of Education.
As a result of this advocacy, key outcomes of
the 2024-2034 Long-term Plan included:
Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment
Fund: this Fund was retained, with additional
investment of $35 million spread over three
years. Importantly, a proportion is now noncontestable
to enable a focus on priority projects.
As you will see in this issue of InterAktive, this
means more existing facilities can be upgraded
and that new facilities can finally be built.
Alignment with the Tāmaki Makaurau Sport
and Recreation Facility Priority Plan: this is
a guiding plan for identifying, prioritising and
delivering sport and recreation facilities that
meet current and future community needs in
Auckland. It helps ensure funding is directed for
maximum impact and as a result, we are seeing
a significant increase in the ability for priority
community sport and recreation facility projects
to be completed in a timely manner.
Partnering for impact: we are committed
to maximising the connections and impact of
additional funding through the Tāmaki Makaurau
Sport and Recreation Facility Funders’ Forum.
It is also exciting to see a Statement of Intent
between Auckland Council and Ministry of
Education in place regarding alignment of
investment for facilities that provide community
access.
These outcomes are the result of a true team
effort, so a huge thank you to everyone who
made a submission and supported our advocacy
efforts. We hope you are as encouraged as we
are by the resulting progress.
We acknowledge and sincerely thank Mayor
Wayne Brown and the team in his office, Deputy
Mayor Desley Simpson and Councillors Angela
Dalton and Richard Hills, who Chaired the
Committee responsible for Sport and Recreation
at the time. Each of these elected members
were keen to listen, engage and help work
4

KIA ORA
on an impactful range of initiatives. We also
acknowledge and thank all of the Councillors and
Local Board Chairs and Members who enabled
us to connect and explain why what we were
advocating for was so important to Auckland.
Many provided formal support through the
Long-term Plan process, and we are very
grateful for this.
We also acknowledge Rachel Kelleher, Director
Community at Auckland Council and all of the
sport and recreation team at Auckland Council
who we have the pleasure of working with on
this important mahi.
The outcome of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034
advocacy was not the start, nor the end of the
job. There is much that remains to be done
and achieved and our efforts are ongoing. We
again thank the Mayor, Councillors and Local
Board Chairs and members who continue to
meet with Aktive and our System Build Partners
CLM Community Sport, Harbour Sport, Sport
Auckland and Sport Waitākere to discuss the
value of sport and physical activity and the
importance of having active environments for the
community. These ongoing conversations, which
are leading to tangible action, are invaluable.
Thank you also to the many members of our
sector who continuously drive this area to
ensure optimal results for their members and the
community. Together, we are making progress.
Whether you are a volunteer, a coach, an
administrator, a parent, a participant or
someone who understands the benefits sport
and recreation brings, we hope you will be
heartened by the progress this edition of
InterAktive showcases.
Thank you once again for your support for
Auckland, for Aucklanders and for the sport
and physical activity sector.
5

REFLECTIONS:
MAYOR WAYNE BROWN
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown
As someone who grew up
participating in a variety of
sports and being part of
community sports clubs, the sense of belonging I
felt with people of all ages and backgrounds, has
underpinned my values and approach to sports
involvement.
Sports clubs were the hub of our communities,
where everything happened, whether it was
rugby, tennis, surfing or social event to celebrate
the end of a successful season.
It’s the reason I still stay active, with tennis and
surfing two of my favourite activities to keep the
body and mind active.
I am often reminded about the importance of
community and the power it wields when we’re
all focussed on a single goal.
Seeing the lack of sporting facilities in Kerikeri
when I was living there, and the sheer
determination of an amazing team of locals
determined to do something about it, was
crucial to the establishment of the Kerikeri
Sports Community Centre.
I’m proud to say that this multi-purpose hub is
still thriving today and well used by locals and
visitors to keep active whether in sport or
community groups.
As a council, it’s important we support sport
and recreation.
Growing the facility fund to allow for the evolving
requirements of all communities, was a no brainer.
I was pleased to get the support of councillors to
pass the increased investment in my first budget
and Long-term Plan. Aktive tells me that we
were the only Council in New Zealand to increase
investment into community sport.
We want people to be active for all the right
reasons in Auckland.
This is an investment in facilities, but more
importantly, a social investment for our people
to keep people busy, safe, and happy.
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YOUR VOICE
RACHEL KELLEHER
DIRECTOR COMMUNITY :: COMMUNITY DIRECTORATE :: AUCKLAND COUNCIL
As a current group exercise
instructor, outdoor enthusiast
and amateur sport participant
one of the things I am enjoying
since stepping into my role as
Director, Community with
Auckland Council in July last year, is making
new connections across the sport and
recreation sector.
Over the past nine months, there have been
some significant achievements which are worth
celebrating.
Following consultation on the 2024-2034 Longterm
Plan, an additional $35 million of funding
over three years (FY26-FY28) has been included
in the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment
Fund, (SRFIF) adding to the $150 million of
funding approved in 2019. The purpose of the
SRFIF is to provide grant investment in noncouncil
facility development of sport and active
recreation facilities that create opportunities for
Aucklanders to get active.
In approving this additional funding, new
direction has been given on changes to the
way in which SRFIF is allocated. These
changes include:
•utilising the new investment of $35 million to
address the deficit in indoor sports facilities in
Auckland,
• spending more strategically to achieve the
necessary infrastructure improvements,
• avoiding spreading funding too thinly, and
• leveraging additional sources of funding,
prioritising key areas and facilitating aggregation.
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YOUR VOICE - RACHEL KELLEHER
Between 2026-2028, delivery of targeted and
contestable SRFIF funding rounds will be guided
by the Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and Recreation
Facility Priority Plan, which was developed in
partnership between Aktive, Sport NZ, Auckland
Council and the sector.
In February, Council’s Community Committee
approved grant allocations from the first round
of targeted investment to six different projects,
totalling over $14 million of investment and
approved over $9.5 million to be used in the
SRFIF contestable fund process for financial year
2025/2026.
Another celebratory milestone has been the
signing of a Statement of Intent by Auckland
Council’s Chief Executive and the Ministry of
Education’s Deputy Secretary with the purpose
of working together to improve facilities for
education and community use and to increase
access to sport and recreation.
Auckland Council and the Ministry of Education
both play a key role in the provision of sport
and active recreation facilities across Tāmaki
Makaurau, Auckland. A partnership approach
between our two organisations is a significant
opportunity to proactively work together to
deliver better outcomes for tamariki and the
community by identifying future opportunities
to build, buy and share assets together that
are mutually beneficial, such as sport and
recreational spaces. This will help to collectively
remove duplication and improve joint investment
in a way that enhances shared value.
There has also been exciting progress made on
several projects expanding opportunities for
sport and recreation across the region.
A well-received addition to council’s own pool
and leisure offering over the summer months was
the opening of the Karanga Harbour Plaza Pool
and jumping platform. The free to use facilities
include four 33 metre swimming lanes along with
changing facilities at the nearby Karanga Plaza.
It has been fantastic seeking a range of different
users enjoying this facility with staff from our
Pools and Leisure Department providing lifeguard
services over the peak summer season.
The first part of Te Whau Pathway is on track
to be completed in 2026, with half of the
Northwestern Cycleway to Horowai Reserve
section in Te Atatū finished in late February – a
major milestone for the project. Once complete
the pathway will allow for cyclists, walkers and
runners alike. Te Whau Pathway is a partnership
between Auckland Transport (AT), Ngāti Whātua
Ōrākei, Te Kawerau ā Maki, the Whau and
Henderson-Massey local boards, the government
as a major funder, and Auckland Council delivering
the construction working closely with Te Whau
Pathway Environment Trust.
Finally, I would like to share that Aktive and
Auckland Council are also in the process of
creating a new partnership agreement. Ideally,
we are aiming for an enduring partnership that
develops opportunities, shares risks and benefits,
and achieves greater outcomes for Tāmaki
Makaurau.
I believe that with Aktive as a key strategic sector
partner, together, we can begin to solve complex
problems and uncover further sport, recreation
and play opportunities for Aucklanders and the
region and am really looking forward to seeing
what we can achieve.
Rachel Kelleher
Director Community
Community Directorate
Auckland Council
8

SPORT AND RECREATION
FUNDING ON THE UP
Sport and recreation facilities aren’t just
spaces for playing games – they’re places
where communities come together.
Whether it’s kids learning a new sport or adults
staying active, Tāmaki Makaurau’s sport and
recreation facilities inspire people of all ages to
discover new passions, stay connected, and live
healthier lives.
To support this, Auckland Council set up the
Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund
(SRFIF) in 2019 to encourage the development
of non-council sports and recreation facilities
that get more Aucklanders active.
Initially, the fund had $150 million. As a result of
advocacy to the Mayor and Councillors by Aktive
and others in our sector during the Long-term
Plan process last year, an extra $35 million was
added for the next three years, bringing the total
to $185 million. This equates to around $23
million available in the Fund for the next two
years and then $28 million the year after.
This advocacy also helped to introduce a
non-contestable portion of SRFIF funding to
enable a focus on priority projects within the
Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and Recreation Facility
Priority Plan, with a new framework introduced
to manage the targeted and contestable
funding rounds.
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The first targeted SRFIF funding round
was held in February 2025, with Auckland
Council inviting identified high-priority
projects to apply. Six of these projects have
recently been awarded a portion of funding
out of a $14.3 million pot:
SPORT AND RECREATION FUNDING ON THE UP
• Auckland Hockey Association: Lloyd Elsmore
Park Hockey Stadium turf renewal, $215,000
• Highbrook Regional Watersports Centre
Trust: Clubhouse building, $2,200,000
• Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia: Recreation
and hauora centre, $5,600,000
• Pakuranga United Rugby Club: Community
sports centre facility expansion, $5,571,061
• Waka Pacific Trust: Wero Climb, $250,000
• West Auckland Riding for the Disabled:
Covered riding facility, $512,859.
This investment could see over 600,000 people
using these facilities once they are completed.
This targeted approach has allowed some of
these projects – Wero Climb, and the Lloyd
Elsmore Park Hockey turf replacement – to
secure the final funding needed, which will
address urgent infrastructure gaps quickly.
The West Auckland Riding for the Disabled
covered riding facility received funding to open
to the public but some aspects require further
funding for completion. These facilities will enable
over 120,000 people to be active.
Auckland Council Community Committee
Chair, Angela Dalton is pleased to see Council’s
investment lead towards increased sport and
recreation opportunities in the community.
“Auckland Council is proud to help sports
organisations invest in their infrastructure
and facilities, and it is exciting to see these
organisations work to provide Aucklanders
with spaces to stay active, participate in their
chosen sport, and connect.”
Community Committee Deputy chair, Councillor
Julie Fairey thanked the sport and recreation
sector for their mahi in getting the community
active. “Facilities council doesn’t own are key to
Auckland’s sport and recreation facility network
as there are growing demands for sport and
recreation opportunities.
The second contestable SRFIF funding round,
which was open to all sport and recreation
organisations in Tāmaki Makaurau, ran from
mid-February to mid-March 2025 and has
$9.5 million available.
This process will ensure that a wide range of
local projects, big and small, have a fair chance to
receive support. Funding decisions will be made
by late July 2025.
By helping build and improve sport and
recreation facilities through the SRFIF, Auckland
Council is helping deliver the spaces Aucklanders
need to stay active, connect with others, and
enjoy the many benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
10

FACILITY PRIORITY PLAN
DELIVERING FOR AUCKLAND
In 2024, when Auckland Council updated
its Long-term Plan, Aktive – supported by a
number of sector organisations – successfully
advocated for stronger support of local sport
and recreation infrastructure.
One of the areas of improved support we
helped achieve has been greater alignment
between funders and prioritisation of facilities
as a result of the establishment of the Tāmaki
Makaurau Sport and Recreation Facility Priority
Plan, which was officially launched in July 2024.
aktive.org.nz/active-environments >
Developed with the sport and recreation sector,
the Facility Priority Plan sets out the top priorities
for funding sport and recreation projects. It
is based on several criteria, including project
readiness and high funding levels. This first
iteration of the Plan was deliberately focussed
on delivering the projects that were already
well progressed but struggling to find the final
funding needed for delivery. It provides a clear
guide for funders, giving them confidence that
their support will help enable the highest priority
projects to get delivered.
Currently the Plan includes 22 projects in
Category A (which are considered the highest
priority for immediate funding), and 20 projects
in Category B (projects that also need funding
support but require more planning).
So far, seven Category A projects or project
stages have been fully funded. One major success
story is the completion of the AUT Millennium
track, which was the top-ranked project in the
Facility Priority Plan.
Funding from Auckland Council’s Sport and
Recreation Facilities Investment Fund (SRFIF) has
contributed to re-instating the 8-lane,
400m athletics track and infield areas at the
AUT Millennium Stadium.
The Highbrook Marine Sports Centre,
another Category A project, has also recently
secured stage three funding from the SRFIF,
demonstrating the Facility Priority Plan’s success
in attracting investment. Foundation North’s
Community Building Projects Fund recently
allocated significant funding to five priority
projects. This funding means the building work
at North Harbour Netball Centre is now fully
funded. Other projects identified in the Plan
which have received funding and are now being
delivered include the Hobsonville Marine Sports
Centre, Colin Dale Kart Sports Track, West
Auckland Riding for the Disabled Covered Facility,
Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Turf renewal, Colin Maiden
Park Hockey Turfs and the Waka Pacific Climb.
Altogether, the seven projects outlined in the
Facility Priority Plan that have received this
funding are expected to support over 600,000
people annually to be active and involved in sport
and physical activity.
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FACILITY PRIORITY PLAN DELIVERING FOR AUCKLAND
By creating better facilities for communities,
whether that’s a brand-new athletics track or an
upgraded community sports hub, the Plan aims
to fund priority facilities that offer greater access
to safe, modern spaces where Aucklanders can
enjoy healthier, more active lives.
Looking ahead, the Facility Priority Plan will be
refreshed in April 2025 and any fully funded
projects will be removed from the Plan’s
priority list.
At the same time, new projects will also be
added, and Category B projects will move into
Category A. The remaining projects may be
reordered based on the latest information
and needs. This refresh will keep the Plan
up-to-date and ensure it continues to
reflect Auckland’s most pressing sport and
recreation priorities.
Rank Site & project Facility type Status Local board
1 AUT Millenium Bespoke Outdoor Completed Upper Harbour
Athletics track renewal and restoration
2 Colin Maiden Park
New Hockey Turf Development
Hockey Turf
Turfs funded
Construction
Ōrākei
Lights unfunded
3 Henderson Valley Park Equestrian Funded to enable Henderson - Massey
West Auckland Riding for the Disabled
opening to public
– Stage 5 accessibility
4 Wero Climbing Fully funded Manurewa
Waka Pacific Climb (climbing frame)
5 Hobsonville Point Watersport Fully funded Upper Harbour
Upper Waitematā Marine, Multisport
and Community Centre + launching facilities
Construction
6 Rosa Birch Park Indoor Courts Majority funded Franklin
Indoor tennis arena
Progressing
7 Lloyd Elsmore Park – Hockey Turf Renewal Hockey Turf Fully funded Howick
Hockey turf renewal
8 Liston Park Bespoke Indoor Partially funded Ōrākei
Eastern Suburbs Gymnastics facility development Progressing
9 Colin Dale Park Motorsport Fully funded Ōtara - Papatoetoe
Kart Sports Track Development
Construction
10 Lake Pupuke Watersport Partially funded Devonport - Takapuna
North Shore Canoe and Youth Clubroom extension
(changing rooms and boat storage) and renewals
Progressing
11 Orewa Reserve Watersport Partially funded Hibiscus and Bays
Orewa Surf Club community hub development
Progressing
12 Onewa Domain Indoor Courts Fully funded Kaipātiki
Netball North Harbour exterior building
13 Tamaki River Watersport Second stage Howick
Highbrook Regional Water Sports
Centre development
fully funded
Third stage
partially funded
14 Greenhithe Watersport Partially funded Upper Harbour
North Shore Rowing Club boathouse
to store rowing, safety and ancillary equipment
15 Quarry Lake Watersport Partially funded Takapuna - Devonport
Installation of pontoons and lighting
for Auckland Canoe Polo
12
Progressing

FUNDERS UNITE FOR
AUCKLAND’S ACTIVE FUTURE
Funders are key to making sport and
recreation facilities happen, and bringing
together the many generous supporters of
projects in Tāmaki Makaurau helps to ensure
the best outcomes for these investments.
The Regional Funders’ Forum, a quarterly
connect facilitated by Aktive, brings together
key contributors such as Auckland Council,
Foundation North, Department of Internal
Affairs, New Zealand Community Trust, Four
Winds Foundation, Lion Foundation and other
sector funders. The Forum provides a platform
for strategic discussion focused on maximising
outcomes for Auckland, through aligned funding
discussions, ideally helping projects close
their funding gaps.
Forum members share information about
upcoming grant rounds, discuss projects in need
of support, and coordinate efforts to fill funding
gaps. This collaborative approach has already
shown that it speeds up the delivery of new or
improved facilities.
“When funders collaborate in an open forum, it
sees us all working smarter and better able to
deliver the right projects where they’re needed
most,” says Debbie Curgenven, Aktive’s General
Manager, Strategy, Investment and Services.
“By aligning efforts, we ensure all Aucklanders
have access to high-quality sport and recreation
facilities.”
Audry McLaren, Head of Funding at Foundation
North, agrees: “Working collaboratively means
we can see the bigger picture; when you have
those wider perspectives and can leverage diverse
strengths, it’s easier to innovate and make decisions
that truly benefit Auckland communities.”
While collaboration through this Forum is key,
each organisation retains full decision making
autonomy over its own funds.
The Regional Funders’ Forum continues to
strengthen Auckland’s sport and recreation sector
through a more unified and strategic perspective,
ensuring long-term benefits for communities across
the region.
13

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING
FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
The Tāmaki Makaurau Sport and Recreation
Facility Priority Plan is a guiding Plan for
identifying, prioritising, and delivering sport
and recreation facilities that meet current and
future community needs in Auckland.
Plenty of exciting sport and recreation projects
are moving forward in our region under this
Plan, including projects spanning athletics, water
sports, climbing, equestrian, and motorsports
that will provide more high-quality, accessible
opportunities for our local communities.
14

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
WEST AUCKLAND RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
West Auckland Riding for the Disabled
(RDA) has been changing lives at Henderson
Valley Park for almost 50 years, thanks to a
passionate team of volunteers.
Now, with support from Auckland Council’s
Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment
Fund (SRFIF), the group will be able to enjoy a
purpose-built, all-weather facility where children
with physical, cognitive, and social-emotional
disabilities can benefit from horse-riding therapy.
“It’s not just pony rides,” explains West Auckland
RDA President Norma Hayward. “We have goalbased
programmes, NZQA trained coaches and
a physiotherapist who supports children improve
their mobility, balance, and confidence. And of
course we have a herd of special horses!
“We have about 50 children a week at
present,” says Norma, “but we’re aiming to
double that to 100 or more. Now that the
structure is up, we just need to finish the car
park and entrance, which the latest round of
SRFIF funding makes possible.”
Beyond supporting riding programmes, the
new facility will be open to the wider community.
“A lot of Council funding has gone into this,”
Norma says. “We want to share it with other
equestrian users and community groups.
“It’s about reaching more riders, changing more
lives, and giving West Auckland a fully accessible,
multi-purpose venue. We’re so grateful to
everyone who’s helped make it happen.”
“Some of our riders have autism or cerebral palsy,
while others have experienced trauma. Each
individual’s programme is tailored to their needs.”
West Auckland RDA previously operated from
a shared clubroom, losing over 30 percent of
sessions in winter due to bad weather. Their new
covered arena, stables, and tack room will allow
riding throughout all four school terms.
15

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
COLIN DALE PARK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Auckland’s soon-to-be-open Colin Dale
Park International Raceway is set to become
Aotearoa’s first multipurpose wheeled sports
recreation and competition facility.
A decade in the making, the facility will boast a
world-class, CIK-FIA-design approved kart track
which can be used for a range of motorsport and
other recreational activities.
The first phase of this project was undertaken
by the Colin Dale Park KartSport Development
Charitable Trust through its own fundraising
efforts. It then received a major boost via funding
from Auckland Council’s SRFIF in August 2024.
16

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
“This funding was critical,” says Trust Chair,
Anita Kinsman. “We’d already started building the
track formation on our own, but the SRFIF grant
recognised the need for a multi-sport facility and
helped get us closer to our operational goals.”
While built mainly for karting, Anita says the
Trust sees opportunities to leverage the worldclass
track for other wheeled sports: “We’re
already in discussions with a variety of sports
clubs and other groups, who see it as a safe and
accessible facility to develop skills and nurture
talent.”
Although the track has been laid, extensive
work remains before it can fully open and fill
demand for the many people from across Tāmaki
Makaurau who want to give motorsport a go.
Kiwi Formula One driver Liam Lawson has
visited and was very impressed with the
facility>, which could help discover New
Zealand’s next generation of motorsport stars.
Anita says the Trust is continuing to fundraise
for future development. “We want to be the
premier wheeled-sport facility in New Zealand
and Australasia. We’re committed to making this
an accessible, family-friendly hub for all.”
17

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
AUT MILLENNIUM TRACK UPGRADE
AUT Millennium is one of Auckland’s
premier athletics venues, with its facilities
used by clubs, schools, casual athletes,
high performance athletes and the wider
community. But given its track was last re-laid
12 years ago, it was showing clear signs of
wear and tear.
“The surface was getting worn in places, especially
on the inside lanes, and the markings had faded,”
says Mike Stanley, AUT Millennium’s Chief
Executive.
The facility also faced a tricky ground subsidence
issue at the northern end. “We had to do
more than a simple refresh,” explains Mike.
“Excavating and replacing the asphalt and
aggregate was essential to ensure the track’s
long-term stability.”
In September 2023, AUT Millennium secured
funding from Auckland Council’s SRFIF to cover
the bulk of the $1.65 million cost.
AUT Millenium also provided funding and received
support from New Zealand Lottery Grants and the
Bobby Foundation. Work began in July 2024 and
wrapped up in early December once temperatures
allowed the new track surface to cure properly.
“Without this sort of funding, organisations like
ours would really struggle,” Mike continues. “There
aren’t many sources for the level of investment
Council can provide.”
The facility is re-certified to international
standards and fully open. “We host everything
from school athletics meets to charity fundraisers,”
Mike says. “It’s a community hub that sees
thousands of people pass through, from earlymorning
walkers to competitive athletes.”
With this major upgrade completed, AUT
Millennium can continue to serve the North
Shore, and the wider Auckland region, as a toptier
venue that supports health, participation, and
performance at all levels.
18

PRIORITY PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
WERO CLIMB
Wero Climb, a soon-to-be-built 16-metrehigh
climbing structure on the grounds of
Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau,
is set to welcome up to 100 people at a time
across its 76 climbing elements when it opens
in mid-2025.
“Think of a gigantic jungle gym,” says Waka
Pacific Trust Chief Executive, David Comery.
“It’s spread over three levels, each with varying
degrees of difficulty, so you could be on the
highest level but tackling an easier element
– or lower down doing something really
challenging.”
A self-funding charity, Waka Pacific Trust directs
its profits back into social programmes for local
tamariki. With the cost of the Wero Climb
project reaching around $3 million, Auckland
Council’s targeted SRFIF investment closed the
project’s funding gap.
“That final kick from the SRFIF has meant we can
avoid borrowing,” David explains. “From day one,
we’ll be in full mode supporting our community.
We’ve pledged that in the first year, 15,000 kids
will climb for free, and we already have 11,000
signed up.”
The structure itself features a state-of-the-art
dual-connection system that allows climbers
to navigate different routes or overtake slower
participants safely. David says: “Everything we do
here is about encouraging kids to get active. We
want to make it fun and engaging.”
Construction is expected to wrap up by late
May, followed by a short commissioning phase.
David says: “We’ll be able to offer great value
for families, and we couldn’t do this without
Auckland Council and other advocates. Their
support has been tremendous.”
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FUNDING HELPS THE SPORT AND
RECREATION WORLD GO ROUND
Sport and recreation facilities across Tāmaki
Makaurau have received a significant boost
over the past year, with plenty of high-quality
projects underway thanks in part to a series of
important funding decisions.
In August 2024, Auckland Council’s Sport
and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund
(SRFIF) finalised allocations totalling more than
$13.6 million for 18 facility projects. These
include expansions and upgrades for volleyball,
football, hockey, rugby, netball, and tennis, as
well as rowing, waka ama, bowls, and karting
developments, ensuring sports thrive across
Auckland.
Twelve of the projects funded through the
SRFIF are included in the Tāmaki Makaurau
Sport and Recreation Facility Priority Plan.
These twelve projects were awarded 96% of
the total funding allocated. This demonstrates
the Fund’s commitment to prioritising
projects with the greatest strategic impact.
We acknowledge and sincerely thank both
Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Team
who administer the Fund and present the final
recommendations for consideration and the
Councillors on the Community Committee
who ultimately approve the final investment
decisions.
In December 2024, the Lotteries Community
Facilities Fund announced the results of its first
of two annual funding rounds. While this fund
broadly targets a range of community facility
developments nationwide, sport and recreation
projects continue to feature.
From this round, $625,000 was allocated to
four Auckland-based initiatives, two of which
are priority projects within the Tāmaki Makaurau
Sport and Recreation Facility Priority Plan: Wero
Climb, a multilevel climbing structure located
at Manukau’s Vector Wero Whitewater Park;
and a new clubhouse for the Northcote and
Birkenhead Tigers League and Sports Club.
Recently Foundation North’s Community
Building Projects Fund allocated $4.35 million
to sport and recreation projects across the
region. Funding was granted to five priority
projects which were the Counties Tennis
covered courts, Orewa Surf LifeSaving club
build, Pakuranga Rugby Club community sports
centre, Netball North Harbour building works
and North Shore Canoe and Youth Club
upgrade. This funding will enable Netball North
Harbour to deliver its project and sees the
Counties Tennis covered court project close to
fully funded. In July 2025 Auckland Council’s
Community Committee will be making a decision
on the contestable SRFIF round.
The exciting selection of projects receiving
support from multiple funders demonstrates
a strong commitment to creating sport and
recreation spaces that are thoughtfully
designed, accessible to everyone, and prepared
for the future.
These funding outcomes, along with Auckland
Council and the Ministry of Education working
together and improving access to school
facilities, mark a significant step towards
meeting Auckland’s current and future sport
and recreation needs, helping our communities
continue to benefit from high-quality facilities
and plenty of opportunities to live active,
healthy lives.
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HERE TO HELP
Our communities across Auckland want and
need the right places to play and be active,
and there are a lot of things to consider when
creating the spaces and places that work now
and into the future. It’s important to plan and
design them well, make sure they’re funded
properly to keep them in good shape and
ensure they are future proofed.
Aktive’s Active Environments team offers a
variety of services in this area, including needs
assessments, feasibility studies and facility
development planning. We can provide facility
operation and maintenance guidance, capacity
building and technical assistance, and engagement
and collaboration facilitation; as well as strategic
funding advice and support.
There are also a number of resources that can
assist organisations with better planning and
designing of well utilised and future proofed
facilities. This includes Local Board Sport and
Active Recreation Facility Plans and Auckland
Regional Code Facility Plans.
To explore how we can
support you, please contact:
Central and East Auckland
Simon Tattersfield
Active Environments Manager
simon.tattersfield@aktive.org.nz
027 229 8850
Counties Manukau
Jamie Archibald
Active Environments Advisor
jamie.archibald@aktive.org.nz
027 467 7068
North Harbour and West Auckland
Danny O’Donnell
Active Environments Advisor
danny.odonnell@aktive.org.nz
021 161 6063
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@AktiveAuckland
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Strategic Funders
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