Growth in Auckland isn’t just about big council projects like new roads, major transport initiatives, or improved water services.
Local boards also fund projects, upgrades and facilities that build better neighbourhoods and help create great places to live.
Building better is a key priority, so check out these five local treasures supported or funded by the Puketāpapa Local Board.
Taurangi sportfields and playground
Puketāpapa residents have been enjoying a new playground since mid-2025, as part of a land exchange between the Puketāpapa Local Board and Fletcher Living.
The Three Kings Quarry Development is situated behind Three Kings Reserve, and the once-vacant land now has two new sportsfields, as well as a playground.
The new space, called Taurangi, also includes an accessway to stairwells and lift that connects with Three Kings Reserve.
Tauragi has quickly become a popular site, with families enjoying the playground and local sports teams having two new high-quality sports fields.
There are also future plans for Taurangi, with work on building sports changing rooms and toilets scheduled to commence in 2026.
All of the lights at night: tennis courts illuminate Three Kings Reserve
It’s game, set and match at the Three Kings Reserve tennis courts with new LED lights illuminating the court, using technology that hasn’t been used in New Zealand before
All you need to do is turn up, scan the code, and you’ll the ability to turn the lights on and off.
The lights have been out of action for some time, and were installed in August, and one of the new features of the lights is that the public can operate them via a QR code.
The courts also provide the opportunity for other codes or any kind of general fitness to be enjoyed at night under lights, such as shuttle runs, games of football or anything else.
Coastal connections resume: Waikōwhai Coastal Tracks
The Waikōwhai Coastal Tracks re-opened earlier this year, improving the wider connections around the picturesque Waikōwhai walkway.
The upgrades consisted of repairing tracks that were damaged in the 2023 floods, as well as adding new boardwalks, and key stabilisation work to future-proof the tracks for other possible weather-related impacts.
With native bush and sweeping views out towards the Manukau Harbour, the coastal tracks offer some of the best bush walks and running tracks for inner-city suburbs.
This work complements the repair mahi to restore the Waikōwhai Boardwalk in late 2024, which is a stunning walkway with lush tree canopy from the edge of Onehunga Foreshore to Lynfield Cove Beach, overlooking the Manukau Harbour.
This track had also been impacted in the 2023 floods and was re-opened in late 2024.
The board has funded further upgrades to the wider area, with other sections to re-open between now and 2028.
On the right track: Manukau Domain upgrades
Better connections around the Manukau Domain are unlocked, with a new walking track linking up with the Opened Stone sculpture.
The new pathway, which provides panoramic views across the northern shores of the Manukau Harbour, is the result of early advocacy from Lynfield residents and includes additional paths to the statue and improved seating.
The Opened Stone sculpture is one of five artworks created as part of the 1971 International Sculpture Symposium.
New community gardens for Wesley
A vibrant new community garden has taken root in Puketāpapa, unlocking faith, food, and fellowship in the heart of Wesley.
The ‘Uta Garden Project’ is located at 84 O’Donnell Avenue on Kāinga Ora land, where a flood-damaged house was removed following the devastating Anniversary Weekend weather event in 2023.
There are future plans to also build a pātaka kai — a community pantry — where fresh produce from the garden can be shared with neighbours and whānau across the area.
The ‘Uta Garden Project’ is an example of what’s possible when community spirit meets local support — cultivating not just food, but connection, purpose and pride.
The garden project came together at pace after the group secured access to the site earlier this year. It has quickly become a symbol of local climate action, cultural resilience, and social wellbeing.
