The new Opaketai Beach Haven Gardens have been officially opened by Kaipātiki Local Board and the Beach Haven Placemaking Group.
Local residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday 14 November 2015 to celebrate the most recent local improvement in their sunny North Shore village.
This project transforms what was once an old derelict post office building site in 2010, to a thoughtfully designed flexible community space in the heart of Beach Haven in 2015.
The new space features a community garden, nautical themed playground, performance stage, boardwalks, five carved Tawhiri-Matea Pou, seating, a noticeboard and a layout that supports the hosting of small local events.
The word ‘Opaketai’ was gifted by Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngati Whatua o Orakei and supported by Te Akitai Waiohua.
Opaketai is the ancient name of a small bay south of Beach Haven Road, where driftwood would wash up during westerly storms, and where a seasonal kainga (village) for fishing and shorebird snaring was located.
Kaipātiki Local Board would like to thank all those who turned out and showed their support at the opening.
