Te Puāwaitanga sports hub to open in April

07 March 2025

The much-anticipated Te Puāwaitanga - Bay of Islands Sports Hub in Waipapa is set to officially open its five high-quality sports fields in April.

With the official opening timeframe now set, all efforts are focused on delivering this project to completion on time. The countdown is on, and the Far North community can soon look forward to using modern and high-quality sports fields designed to meet growing local demand.

The development includes two sand-based turfs and three soil-based playing fields, ensuring athletes have access to premium playing surfaces that can accommodate various sporting codes.

The sports hub, strategically located opposite the Waipapa retail area on State Highway 10, will also feature sealed parking for 144 vehicles, eight disabled parking bays, three bus bays, a toilet and changing block with associated water services, and connecting footpaths.

Commitment to delivering a quality sporting facility

The Te Puāwaitanga project was initiated in 2019 following a regional sports needs assessment by consultants, Global Leisure Group. The report highlighted a 12 per cent projected population increase within the Kerikeri sports catchment by 2043 and found that existing facilities had already exceeded capacity, forcing many clubs to share school fields and other venues.

The Far North District Council purchased the 30-hectare site in 2020 for $4.8 million and established a project working group, including iwi, sporting representatives, councillors, and council staff, to guide its development. While delays have occurred due to complex ground preparation, the council is now fully committed to ensuring the April 2025 opening date is met.

A long-awaited sporting hub for the region

Far North District Council’s Head of Infrastructure, Tanya Proctor, emphasised the importance of delivering on this long-awaited initiative.

“This facility has been years in the making, and we are now at a critical stage where all efforts must be focused on ensuring completion by the end of April. Sports codes, schools, and community groups are eagerly awaiting access to these fields, and we are determined to deliver a high-quality venue for them to utilise from day one.”

While there is a long-term vision for further development of the site, including potential additional sporting facilities, no further phases have been confirmed by council resolution at this stage.

The priority remains on delivering the first phase on time, with any future expansions subject to funding considerations and alignment with the draft Te Pātukurea Kerikeri-Waipapa Spatial Plan, which is expected to open for public consultation in March (2025).

Ensuring a sustainable and high-performance playing surface

The new fields feature specialist sand-based turfs designed to withstand high traffic and Far North climate conditions. While these surfaces are more durable and recover quickly from wear and tear, they require a longer establishment period. To ensure longevity and optimal performance, initial playtime will be limited to seven hours per week for the soil-based field and 10 hours per week for the sand-based fields.

The council has collaborated closely with Sport Northland, rugby league, football, and cricket stakeholders to plan field use in 2025, ensuring the facilities are maximised while being maintained at peak condition.

Looking ahead

The successful delivery of Phase One will pave the way for discussions on the future development of the remaining land within the sports hub. These conversations will be informed by public feedback and strategic planning to ensure the site meets both present and future community needs.