Revitalisation delivers colour, culture, and community spaces

Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara have been transformed over the past year and a half by 81 infrastructure, art and placemaking plans completed by Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Project.  

A key focus of the project was to bring together community groups and businesses, and to place Te Hiku iwi at the centre of the decision-making process. This ensured the right projects were delivered to the right places say those involved. Another key driver was to ensure that locals delivered the schemes. Far North District Council provided SiteWise Health and Safety prequalification support for 61 businesses across the district and provided 75 people with specialised safety training. This supported enabled local businesses to tender for revitalisation projects and to do so for future council projects. It is anticipated that all revitalisation projects will be completed by March 2023.

It all started in 2020, when Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Masterplan working group applied for and received $7 million from the Government’s COVID Response and Recovery Fund to deliver projects that would provide infrastructure to improve the district and give an immediate boost to local industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All companies and individuals engaged in the project to date are Northland-based, predominantly from the Far North.

Wherever possible, a cultural overlay has been incorporated into designs which highlight local history and connections between townships. Te Hiku iwi have played a leading role in the design and creation of all art installations. Iwi have also been closely involved in practical issues, such as tree removal, and have led site blessings and events to open projects.

The communities of Ahipara, Awanui and Kaitāia have driven the projects, many of which have been planned for several years. Some of these include:

• Ahipara pathways, car parking, seating, shade sails and barbeques
• Market Square
• Pump tracks at Awanui, Kaitāia, and Ahipara
• Awanui gateway, boardwalk, and carpark
• Kaitāia River walk (enhancing the Te Ahu loop track)
• Playground upgrades in Allen Bell, Korora Park, and Awanui Reserve
• Cultural artworks and murals throughout all townships
• Shared walking pathways
• Upgraded toilets
• Awanui, Ahipara and Kaitāia Western Pou
• Kaitāia cricket pitch and nets
• Kaitāia Digital Sign
• Ahipara welcome sign
• Ahipara and Awanui bus shelters
• Planter boxes and gardens.

A sign welcoming visitors to Kaitāia is currently under construction and new elements for the Kaitāia town square are also in the pipeline.

The transformation of Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara has not gone unnoticed outside Te Hiku either, with the revitalisation project winning multiple awards over the past 18 months. This includes:

• Most Beautiful Small-Town Award – Kaitāia – Beautiful Awards 2021
• LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards 2022 – Community Engagement Winner
• LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards 2022 – Supreme Winner
• NZ Planning Institute 2022 – Highly Commended in Non-statutory Planning
• IAP2 Core Values Awards – Community Development Winner 2022
• IAP2 Core Values Awards – Australasian Project of the year 2022
• IAP2 Core Values Awards – International Project of the year 2022

Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Masterplan working group members are Felicity Foy (Councillor and Infrastructure Committee Chair), John Paitai (Cultural Specialist), Suzie Clarke (Awanui Project Manager), Adele Gardener (Community Board Chair), Delwyn Shepherd (Landscape Architect), Kevin Hoskins (Project Manager Hoskin Civil) and Andrea Panther (Kaitāia Business Association Chair and Project Manager – Hoskin Civil). The working group also includes council asset managers, procurement specialists, financial planning staff, and project management as required.

Follow the Te Hiku Open Spaces Revitalisation Project Facebook page to keep up to date with the full range of works produced by this project.