Raise the flag!  Two Western Bay sub-regional parks have won prestigious Green Flag Awards for 2023/24.

TECT Park and Hūhārua Park are amongst 26 parks in New Zealand to receive the coveted awards from Recreation Aotearoa, which sets a benchmark for recreational outdoor spaces around the world.

Both parks are jointly owned by Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City Councils, with day-to-day operations undertaken by the Western Bay Reserves team.

Hūhārua Park has been awarded its second Green Flag Award in a row, while it is the tenth consecutive win for TECT Park.

Western Bay Reserves and Facilities Manager Peter Watson says it’s an impressive achievement, which benchmarks the two parks against an internationally recognised standard for parks.

It’s particularly timely for TECT Park, which is currently undergoing a strategic review that will see its offerings widen in the future.

“We remain committed to the continued development of TECT Park, with sustainability, education and cultural significance at the forefront,” says Peter.

“Earlier this year we asked the community what new experiences they would like to see at the park, to help guide the shape of its future. We are currently working through all the feedback and will be coming back to the community with a draft plan.

“More than 30,000 people visit the park each year, and we expect to see this grow alongside the scope of activities, as we enter this exciting new phase.”

 Having the flag for Hūhārua Park, for the second year in a row is also an achievement of which the community can be proud, says Peter.

“Hūhārua is a much-loved park for locals and visitors alike and it is part of the Ōmorkoroa to Tauranga Cycleway experience. Special thanks to Pirirākau hapū for their ongoing involvement in ensuring the development and management of the park aligns with historic and cultural values.”

Tauranga City Council Community Services General Manager Barbara Dempsey says receiving a tenth Green Flag Award is a fantastic achievement recognising all the good work already undertaken at TECT Park and sets the stage for future works to further enhance the site over the next decade.

“TECT Park is treasured by the outdoors community, and recently we’ve heard ideas of what other activities and facilities people want to see. It’s an exciting phase to now work through those ideas and progress strategic planning.”

To read about the other parks that have been awarded Green Flags this year, see the Recreation Aotearoa website.

About TECT Park

The 1650-hectare TECT Park in Ngawaro, upper Pyes Pa, is a joint venture between Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City councils, with the support of naming rights sponsor TECT and Bay Trust.

It is the base for many outdoor sports user groups, including a variety of club shooting ranges - pistol, clay target, deerstalkers, paintball and airsoft. There are also motorsports, featuring a club motocross track, and model aircraft flying fields.

Public facilities include tracks for walking, mountain biking, equestrian and family-focused motorcycle tracks, plus a dedicated dog exercise area. It’s also home to the popular Adrenalin Forest high-wire adventure course.

About Hūhārua Park

Hūhārua Park is a subregional park located at the end of Plummers Point Road, Te Puna. Owned jointly by Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City councils, it provides recreational enjoyment for the wider sub region community.

Tangata Whenua Pirirākau hapū of Ngāti Ranginui iwi played a major role in the development of Hūhārua Park and have an ongoing involvement in the historic and cultural maintenance of the park. Walk through the carved waharoa (entrance way) and across the bridge to reach the Ongārahu Pā - one of the most well-preserved fortifications in Aotearoa.

The park is a popular picnic spot and is connected by the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway and includes a number of walking tracks and cultural sites.