The Flat Bush community is one step closer to a vibrant new green space.
A $1.1 million boost from Auckland Council’s Fix and Finish Fund is helping move plans forward to transform Ostrich Farm into a fully equipped sports field park.
Behind the project
Howick Local Board applied for the funding, which will help turn Ostrich Farm into a lively public space featuring sports fields, floodlighting, changing rooms, and areas for both active and passive recreation. This funding will speed up design and delivery, with phased development planned through to 2028.
Located on Flat Bush School Road, the project will add 4-5 new sports fields, helping to fill a critical sport park gap in southeast Auckland. There’s also potential for an off-road cycling track.
Flat Bush and Ormiston East are growing rapidly. The new sports fields will help address a critical shortage in capacity, offering fresh space for people to connect, stay active, and support their wellbeing.
Board chair Damian Light shares, “The Howick Local Board is pleased to see this funding for this critical project that will provide vital sports field capacity for South East Auckland. We've got massive and growing demand for sports fields, and this funding allows us to deliver this project sooner and better.”
While the funding won’t cover the whole project, it’s a step closer to becoming a key part of a stronger, more connected East Auckland.
What is the Fix & Finish Fund?
The Fix and Finish fund, established in the 2024–2034 Long-term Plan, supports partially funded community capital projects.
Council’s Governing Body approved the allocation of the $20 million fund to help projects that needed to be fixed or finished but did not have full funding.
Projects ranged from sports fields, town centre streetscapes, equipment, facility refurbishment and infrastructure upgrades. It also identified opportunities to combine funding with local boards and third-party partners to maximise value.
Fourteen projects totalling $57.3m were submitted by local boards and assessed against criteria including being a local priority for renewal work or heading into the delivery phase. Approved projects will be integrated into departmental programmes, with quarterly reporting to local boards and the Governing Body.
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