Final steps for Te Puāwaitanga opening

Permanent fencing and gates are now being installed at Te Puāwaitanga – Bay of Islands Sports Hub in preparation for the facility’s opening this week.

The new complex, strategically located opposite the Waipapa retail area on State Highway 10, will provide five high-quality sports fields, extensive parking, and a toilet and changing block to Far North sports communities

A seven-strand wire and baton fence will enclose and separate the sporting area from the rest of 30-hectare site and is being installed by Kerikeri-based hapū, Ngāti Rēhia. The hapū has also undertaken extensive planting and beautification around the facility.

Two sets of football goals and nets, plus a set of league goal posts are being installed. These have been purchased with funding from Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board. It has also provided funding for three 20ft containers to store football, league and cricket sports equipment, as well as CCTV security systems for the fields and carpark.

Entrance gates to prevent after-hours vehicle access to the complex will be fitted as the temporary fencing is removed. These gates will be closed at night. There is currently no lighting for night games or practices.

The new fields feature specialist sand-based turf designed to withstand high traffic and Far North climate conditions. Following consultation, the council, Sport Northland, rugby league, football, and cricket clubs have agreed to limit play on the fields in the first year to ensure the specialist sand-based turfs are able to bed-in correctly and soil-based fields are not over-used. Play will be limited on the soil-based fields to seven hours per week and 10 hours per week for the sand-based fields.

Other minor works being completed ahead of the opening include grading of gravel sections of the carpark and securing the site’s wastewater and water systems to prevent unauthorised access. The facility has its own bore water supply for the field sprinkler systems, toilets and changing rooms.