Local people are being invited to help shape plans for two parks being developed to meet the needs of the growing Whenuapai community.
Would you like to see more walking and cycling connections, spaces for sport and recreation, places for children and teenagers to play, or areas to relax and connect with nature?
The Upper Harbour Local Board is encouraging residents to share their ideas as Auckland Council begins planning for the new parks.
Located at 161 Brigham Creek Road and 4 Spedding Road / 92 and 94A Trig Road, the parks are not yet open to the public but are expected to become important community spaces as Whenuapai continues to grow.
Upper Harbour Local Board chair Anna Atkinson says this is an opportunity for the community to help shape the parks from the very beginning.
"These parks will serve future generations of Whenuapai residents, so it's important that local people get involved.
"We're at the start of the planning process and want to hear what matters most to our community. Whether that's places to play, sport and recreation, walking tracks, nature-based experiences or spaces to gather with friends and family, every piece of feedback will help.
"The community knows Whenuapai best, and we're looking forward to hearing ideas that will help create parks people will enjoy for many years to come."
Two parks, different opportunities
The two sites offer different opportunities and could play complementary roles in meeting the needs of the growing community.
The Brigham Creek Road site is around 16 hectares and includes the culturally significant Waiarohia Stream corridor, where environmental restoration work is already underway. The site also includes large open spaces that could accommodate a range of recreation opportunities.
The Trig Road and Spedding Road site covers around 10 hectares and includes open pasture as well as historic World War II infrastructure. Planning for this site will also need to consider its proximity to the nearby airfield.
At this early stage, Auckland Council wants to hear what activities, facilities and experiences people would like to see and how the two parks could work together to meet community needs.
Feedback will help inform a draft masterplan, which will be shared with the community before a final plan is prepared.
Share ideas
Local young people will also have an opportunity to contribute. Year 7 and 8 school students will be invited to share their ideas, helping ensure younger voices are reflected in plans for the parks.
Residents can enjoy a free hot coffee while learning more about the project, talking with the project team and giving feedback at a community drop-in session at Parkhouse Café, 136 Fred Taylor Drive, Whenuapai, on 23 September from 10.30am to noon.
Feedback is open until 5 October 2026. To have your say, visit akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or email whenuapaimasterplan@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Your feedback will help shape a draft masterplan that will guide the future development of these parks.
Coming soon
Residents will also have an opportunity later this year to provide feedback on the Whenuapai Structure Plan. This plan guides how Whenuapai will grow, including future homes, businesses, parks, roads and other infrastructure.
Public consultation on the updated plan is expected to open towards the end of 2026, following consideration by the local board and approval by the council.
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