There are 99 reasons to hit Akl Paths…and now one more! It was recognised at the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards.
Auckland Council and Downer took home the prestigious Commercial Partnership Award for their collaboration on delivering Akl Paths – a digital platform that helps users discover more than 200 walking and cycle paths across the region.
The award was jointly received with New Zealand Rugby and AIG and recognises excellence and leadership in the sport and recreation industry.
“Akl Paths is a great example of Auckland Council and its CCOs partnering with commercial organisations to fund and support initiatives that connect Auckland and help get our communities active, more often,” says Auckland Council Director Customer and Community Services, Ian Maxwell.
“We are thrilled to have received this Sport NZ award, as it’s a testament to our successful partnership with Downer which together we have adopted a flexible and agile way of exploring initiatives for increasing recreation across Auckland,” he says.
Improving community wellbeing
“In 2015, Downer became a strategic partner with Auckland Council and together we have combined the use of smart city technology and existing infrastructure to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of our community, helping encourage people out and about on Auckland paths,” says Downer General Manager Reputation, Brooke Dahlberg.
“Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. To be recognised amongst some of New Zealand’s most successful corporate partnerships is humbling and is a testament to how strong relationships are agile and can evolve over time to truly meet the needs of the local community.”
Auckland Council’s Activation Team Leader, Peter Caccioppoli, was also a winner on the night, receiving the Future Leaders Award for his contribution to the sporting sector.
About Akl Paths
Akl Paths is an easy-to-use online tool where you can pick and choose what path best matches the activity you want to do. It was built in collaboration with corporate partner Downer as part of a broader strategic partnership between Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency.
Akl Paths routes span parks, streets and beaches across Auckland and provide useful information to users including a map, path duration and location of facilities such as playgrounds, public toilets, basketball courts and pools.
