Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy

In February and March this year we asked for your feedback on the draft Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy.

This strategy aims to makes sure all Aucklanders can benefit from open spaces and sport and recreation opportunities.

Public consultation for the new strategy closed on 10 March 2025.

We received 402 pieces of feedback through:

• a People's Panel survey in December 2024
• a hui with:
  • demographic advisory panel members
  • Healthy Auckland Together
  • Te Whānau o Waipareira
• drop-in sessions at:
  • Auckland Central Library on 27 February
  • Botany Library on 3 March
  • Manukau Library on 5 March
  • Albany Village Library on 7 March
  • the Pasifika Festival on 8 March.

Thank you for having your say.

Main feedback themes

Feedback showed overall support for the draft strategy.

It also showed people agree that:

• open and green spaces are essential for mental and physical health
• all Aucklanders need access to safe, well-maintained open spaces
• providing open spaces should be a major part of urban planning
• open spaces should provide a range of functions and activities
• we should use council resources efficiently.

Changes made based on the feedback

We reviewed the feedback and made changes to the draft strategy.

We updated the strategy to:

• make sure the land we use for open spaces sport and recreation is in areas:
  • that are easy to access by Aucklanders across the region
  • that provide outdoor activities to benefit all Aucklanders
  • where we can protect important natural and cultural values
• make sure we provide the right size and number of open spaces to meet the specific needs of different areas (a 'capacity-focused' approach)
• clarify the role of local boards
• highlight the importance of the quality of advice given to elected and local board members by council staff
• explain the meaning of ‘value for money’
• explain that the council aims to buy land early in the development process:
  • before land values increase
  • to help guide future budget discussions.

What happened next

The Policy and Planning Committee adopted the Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy in May 2025.

Visit Manaaki Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy to read a copy of the adopted strategy.