- The Upper Harbour Local Board has adopted its 2025–2026 agreement, confirming a $26.9 million investment in community spaces, local infrastructure, environmental initiatives, and support for volunteers.
- Priorities include improving parks and pathways, planning for growth in areas like Whenuapai, investing in high quality community spaces and supporting environmental initiatives.
- With strong community support, the local board is also continuing to advocate for key projects such as a fit-for-purpose library in Albany and the future of North Harbour Stadium.
Community spaces and facilities, community groups and volunteers, and local environmental projects are all set to benefit from the Upper Harbour Local Board’s plans for the coming financial year.
Adopted by the board in June, the local board agreement sets out a total investment of $26.9 million and key funding priorities for the financial year 2025-2026.
Strong community support for local board’s priorities
Board chair Anna Atkinson says there is strong community support for the local board’s priorities for the new financial year.
“As your local board, we’re always working to strike the right balance between delivering the services and improvements our community needs and managing a tight budget. It is important for residents to be active, enjoy nature, and feel connected to their environment.
"That’s why we’re investing in high-quality community spaces, better infrastructure in growing areas, walking and cycling initiatives, and practical additions like wayfinding signs. These make it easier for people to explore, stay active, and appreciate the incredible parks and natural spaces we’re so lucky to have.
"We know how much our community values protecting the environment, and we’re grateful for the many volunteers who give their time to planting, pest control, stream care, park clean-ups and more. Their efforts make a real difference and not just for our natural spaces but for the people and wildlife who enjoy them."
Atkinson says the local board would like to thank everyone for their feedback, with 734 submissions received of which 595 were Upper Harbour residents and that overall 75 per cent of submitters supported all or most of the board’s priorities.
Key initiatives include:
- planning and investing in infrastructure and quality open spaces in areas experiencing growth and intensification such as Whenuapai
- continuing to support local community groups and volunteers to foster belonging, wellbeing, and resilience
- prioritising investment in high-quality amenities that enable play, pathways, active recreation, and nature connections
- improving wayfinding to help communities better access and enjoy local assets and facilities
- contributing some funding to develop a vision and plan for the future of North Harbour Stadium and Domain Precinct
- supporting community planting, annual pest plant and pest animal control, park clean-ups and community environmental education and events
- restoring the Waiarohia Stream, supporting the Inanga Spawning Habitat Restoration Project and the Upper Harbour Ecology Initiatives Assistance Programme.
Advocating to the Governing Body
Atkinson says that when residents raise concerns about issues beyond the local board’s control such as a fit-for-purpose library service in Albany, the board will keep advocating to the Governing Body on their behalf.
Advocacy initiatives include the following requests:
- increasing project funding for a fit-for-purpose library service in Albany
- pausing the Wasp Hanger sale in Hobsonville to investigate community use of the facility
- allocating regional resources to develop stage 2 of the North Harbour Stadium and Domain Precinct project
- funding stages 2 and 3 of the Te Kori Scott Point masterplan to finish the park
- having a slower or different transition to fairer funding to manage cost pressures for 2026/2027
- planning and investing in infrastructure and quality open space for areas experiencing growth and intensification such as Whenuapai, Hobsonville and Albany.
The board’s agreement will soon be online on the main Auckland Council website.
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