Te Hiku project gains international attention

People across Australasia are talking about the Far North and, in particular, Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Open Spaces Project, says Christchurch-based engagement specialist Chris Mene.

Mr Mene made the comment during a gathering at the council’s Kerikeri offices today where he delivered a clutch of prizes won by the project last month at the 2022 IAP2 Australasia Conference Gala Dinner in Melbourne. Mr Mene attended the function and accepted the awards on behalf of the Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Masterplan working group.

Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project has created 81 urban development, restoration and revitalisation projects for Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara. The arts, beautification and infrastructure projects were identified through community consultation undertaken by Te Hiku o te Ika Open Spaces Masterplan working group and delivered in partnership with the council.

The project has already won a string of planning and engagement awards in New Zealand and was instrumental in Kaitāia being named the Most Beautiful Small Town in the country last February. At the Melbourne 2022 IAP2 Australasia Conference last month, it took out top prize for the Community Development category, then won the Australasia Project of the Year and, finally, the top award – International Project of the Year.

Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Masterplan working group members are Felicity Foy (councillor), 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 and project management staff.

Image captions: (Top) Chris Mene hands over IAP2 Australasia Conference awards to working group members (L-R) Adele Gardener, John Paitai (obscured), Felecity Foy, Andrea Panther and Delwyn Shepherd.

(Bottom) Council staff and contractors join Te Hiku o Te Ika Open Spaces Revitalisation Masterplan working group members.