Auckland Council continues to be a world leader in park management with 11 urban and regional parks receiving a Green Flag Award.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says he is delighted for the staff, contractors and volunteers who work in the parks.
“They do an incredible job and are leading the world in how parks are managed. To have that internationally recognised is a huge achievement," he says.
Auckland Council’s Head of Parks Services Mark Bowater echoes the mayor’s sentiment.
“These parks are a real taonga for Tāmaki Makaurau. They’ve been recognised as amongst the best in the world and we as Aucklanders get to enjoy them every day.”
“It’s a huge acknowledgement of the pride our people take in caring for our region, particularly the 350 volunteer groups who spend over 180,000 hours working alongside Auckland Council staff.”
The Green Flag Award is an international programme that takes a holistic approach in assessing and awarding parks.
“Parks are judged on a number of criteria so it is more than just how well maintained the parks are,” says Mark Bowater.
“Having this recognition allows us to see how we are contributing positively to making Auckland a great place to live”.
Mayor Goff says that having healthy sustainable parks is important in a world-class city. “Our parks and open spaces are part of what makes Auckland a great city to live in. They are places to relax, to be active and to socialise, and they play an important role in the physical and mental wellbeing of our communities.”
It is the seventh year in a row that Auckland parks have been recognised with a Green Flag. Two parks received recognition in 2012/13, the first year Auckland Council participated in the awards.
Auckland Council parks awarded with Green Flag Awards 2019/20:
- Ambury Regional Park (Māngere Bridge)
- Auckland Domain/Pukekawa (Grafton)
- Long Bay Regional Park (Long Bay)
- Olympic Park (New Lynn)
- Parrs Park (Oratia)
- Sanders Reserve (Paremoremo)
- Shakespear Regional Park (Whangaparaoa)
- Taumanu Reserve (Onehunga)
- Tāwharanui Regional Park (Tāwharanui Peninsula)
- Waikumete Cemetery (Glen Eden)
- Wenderholm Regional Park (Waiwera)
