Recreation Aotearoa reveals New Zealand’s best parks and outdoor spaces of 2019/20

Recreation Aotearoa have named the 29 Green Flag Award® winning parks and open spaces in New Zealand this year.

The Green Flag Award® is an international programme that recognises and rewards parks and green spaces providing high quality and innovative recreational experiences for communities. The award sets a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces worldwide. Parks are awarded based on a criterion marked by experienced Green Flag judges throughout the country. 

This year two parks secured a Community Award: Te Mata Park in the Hawkes Bay and Auckland’s Randwick Park. The Award is given to sites that are welcoming, healthy, safe and secure. The sites must also be well maintained and with a strong environmental management plan and proven community connection.

Recreation Aotearoa Parks and Open Spaces Programme Manager and Green Flag judge, Karl Nesbitt noted “This year the Green Flag Award has been a positive challenge, with two new councils and seven new parks coming on board. As judges we’ve had the great opportunity to experience some of New Zealand’s quality places and spaces that are used by the community.

“A big thank you needs to go to the communities behind the management and delivery of these parks and to our judges who volunteer their time to share their knowledge with the park teams. We look forward to another year working with Green Flag Award recipients and sharing with the public the great spaces they provide.”

The Green Flag Award® is a great way for local parks to enhance public attraction and engagement, maximise funding and revenue opportunities and give communities a sense of civic pride.

The 2019/20 Green Flag Award® winning parks are:

Long Bay Regional Park, Auckland
Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland
Wenderholm Regional Park, Auckland
Ambury Regional Park, Auckland
Olympic Park, Auckland
Parrs Park, Auckland
Sanders Reserve, Auckland
Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland
Auckland Domain
Shakespear Regional Park, Auckland
Taumanu Reserve, Auckland
Hamilton Gardens
Maunu Cemetery, Whangarei
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
TECT All Terrain Park, Bay of Plenty
Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington
Thompson House Park, Horowhenua
Driscoll Reserve, Horowhenua
Cornwall Park, Hastings
Flaxmere Park, Hastings
Havelock North Village Green, Hastings
King Edward Park, South Taranaki
Gisborne Botanic Garden
Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton
Tinwald Domain, Ashburton

For more information go to www.greenflagaward.org.uk

Image: Auckland’s Randwick Park