Auckland Domain retains Green Flag Award recognition

Auckland Domain has once again been internationally recognised as a world-class park, winning its fourth Green Flag Award for 2021.

The Green Flag Award scheme, introduced to Australasia in 2012, is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces, which assesses how well parks meet the needs of the local community.

The Awards set a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces worldwide, including criteria such as quality of services, safety, maintenance, community involvement and sustainability.

Noting that the scheme recognised the Councils’ parks team on the world stage, Chair of the Auckland Domain Committee, Councillor Desley Simpson, stated “this is the second year in a row we have won the Green Flag Award, and that’s a credit to Auckland and credit to the people who work and maintain our wonderful Pukekawa / Auckland Domain.

“The Domain is one of only 24 parks across New Zealand and 31 across the Southern Hemisphere to receive a Green Flag Award for 2021.

“Pukekawa / Auckland Domain is a jewel in Auckland’s crown, and I’m proud of the team for once again delivering first-rate services and spaces for Aucklanders.

“As governors of this magnificent Auckland space, it’s important we keep it at this excellent standard for all Aucklanders to enjoy for generations to come.”

Factors that secured the award for the Auckland Domain (also known as Pukekawa) included its range of recreational facilities, its diverse set of experiences for the community and the quality amenity landscape.

The judges were also won over by the management and maintenance of the Domain, impressed by contractor staff that take ownership, and who are committed and passionate about providing an excellent public service for the people of Auckland.

Auckland Council Head of Parks Services, Mark Bowater says winning the Green Flag award is an important international reference for the Council, adding “the Green Flag Award recognises and rewards parks and green spaces providing high quality and innovative recreational experiences for our communities.

“This is exactly what we want to achieve with the Domain, and it’s great to see we’re doing that.

“Access to parks and green open space is essential for supporting happy and healthy communities, especially in high-density locations where open spaces can be hard to come by. Auckland Domain is unique in not only its size and location, but through the many facilities it has on site.

“We know how much our parks mean to Aucklanders and how popular the Domain is, so it’s fantastic that this space is regularly being recognised internationally.”