As more and more projects from the concept plan reach completion, the local Jaycee/Centennial Park in Kaitaia is slowly undergoing a facelift.

The community voiced its concern about the state of the very popular park back in 2016 with discussions starting via a series of Facebook posts where many locals contributed their ideas. 

These posts, coupled with a push by local advocate the late Jim Marshal, who spoke numerous times to the Te Hiku Community Board around the state of the adjacent skateboard bowl and the lack of amenities for young people in the park caused a snowball effect.

Make it Happen Te Hiku and then later Shine on Kaitaia carried the community-led baton with events to gather further feedback from the community.  With this feedback, the Te Hiku Community Board was able to immediately fund two new pieces of new equipment for the park. 

There was also a belief that further development was possible and that more public consultation was required.  After an extensive consultation process, a submission to the FNDC Long Term Plan was made and grants from the FNDC Placemaking Fund and Community Grant fund were allocated for the initial upgrade of the park.

A concept plan was commissioned with the initial projects of a new nautical themed playground installed alongside coloured concrete picnic tables, shade sails, a double flying fox and a meandering footpath through the park were completed.

Future projects on the concept plan included installation of a basketball court, a water park, more play equipment, a public BBQ, a cycle path connected to the Te Hiku Sports Hub and the upgrade and relocation of the public toilets.

Local FNDC Councillor Felicity Foy is a vocal advocate of the park development, she says “It is coming together, and it is great to see physical progress after many months of planning.”

For all our whānau in the Far North, having such a great facility that caters for all age groups will be an awesome asset.  Keep an eye out for additional progress reports as more projects are completed.