Our libraries, community centres, parks, pools and sports fields are places where people connect with friends and whānau, stay active and feel part of their community. They support wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods and help make Tāmaki Makaurau a great place to live for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Major projects in your neighbourhood
This year, your rates will help deliver a wide range of projects across Auckland’s 21 Local Boards. These include new and upgraded community facilities, improved parks and play spaces, better walking and cycling connections, enhanced sports fields, and the protection of valued heritage places.
Here are some of the key projects being progressed across the region.
West Auckland
Construction is well underway on Te Hono/Avondale Community Centre, a major new community hub set to open in 2027. Once complete, it will bring a modern library, flexible community spaces and an upgraded town square to the heart of Avondale, creating a vibrant focal point for the area.
Just west, the next stage of the Te Whau Pathway is progressing, with the new bridge connecting Ken Maunder Park and Rizal Reserve expected to be completed before 2026. Phase two of upgrades at the West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre in Henderson are also underway, helping modernise one of the region’s most popular recreation facilities.
North Auckland
In Browns Bay, the East Coast Bays Community Centre is being revitalised through significant renovations and structural upgrades, ensuring it remains a valued community facility for years to come.
Over in Hobsonville, expansion continues at Te Kori Scott Park, Auckland’s first fully sustainable sports park, with new and improved facilities supporting growing participation in sport and recreation.
South Auckland
Franklin communities will benefit from the Local Boards’ focus on park upgrades, with improvements planned for Ngakaroa Reserve in Drury, Poohutukawa Park in Glenbrook, Ray Fausett Reserve and Papahua Sports Park in Pukekohe.
In Clendon Park, the renewal of the Matariki Clendon Community Centre will soon get underway, upgrading the library and community facilities to create a more modern and accessible neighbourhood hub.
Elsewhere, new cycle/walking paths and facilities are planned for Otaawhati / Ray Small Park in Papakura, and roof renewals are being designed for key facilities in Ōtara Town Centre, helping protect and extend the life of these important community spaces.
Central Auckland
Work will begin this year to restore and strengthen Ponsonby’s much-loved Leys Institute, with seismic upgrades helping preserve the heritage library and gymnasium ahead of its planned reopening in 2028.
Other key projects across central Auckland include upgrades to Onetangi Sportspark on Waiheke, remedial and seismic strengthening works at Newmarket’s Olympic Pools, and renewal work along the Waikōwhai Coastal Track, helping improve access and resilience along this popular coastal route.
East Auckland
In east Auckland, two award-winning neighbourhood parks – Eastview Reserve in Glen Innes and Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush – are being upgraded to create even more welcoming community spaces. At Eastview Reserve, a new nature playground, flexible open space and improved pathways will create more opportunities for play and recreation, while Barry Curtis Park will see its play facilities, walkways and the Chapel Road carpark renewed.
In Mangere, upgrades to David Lange Park will transform the space into a destination playground, including a new youth zone designed for teenagers. Planning is also underway to upgrade sports fields and supporting infrastructure at Colin Maiden Park.
At Howick Library, a significant exterior renewal will be carried out, including a new roof and repairs to address storm damage.
Find out more about what’s planned for your area
Across all of Auckland
Across Auckland, your rates are supporting initiatives to create safer, more welcoming communities.
This includes funding for safety wardens who work to address anti-social behaviour, assist rough sleepers into housing and provide visible, reassuring presence in our city centre and around the region. It also supports partnerships with local organisations, and programmes that are helping us to tackle Auckland’s significant problems with roaming dogs and dog attacks.
Your rates are also allowing us to deliver new land for parks and open spaces, expand and improve sports field capacity across the region, and increase our stock of physical and digital offerings at Auckland libraries.
Thanks to your rates, we’re delivering facilities, services and benefits that make Auckland a great place to live, for you and your neighbours.