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Service Area: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Industry: Community / Cultural, Council / Public Infrastructure
Service: Feasibility Assessment, Design Coordination, Construction Oversight
Location: Kerikeri, Far North, Northland
Deliverables: Need Assessment, Funding Applications Support, NZS3910 Contract Drafting, Engineer's Representative Services, Construction Oversight
The Bottom Line
VISION's sustained technical guidance, including initial feasibility assessment and construction oversight, provided the professional foundation needed to empower the community Working Group, successfully transforming a six-year vision into Te Amo Pūtoro, the Far North’s first council-owned māra hūpara and a vital community asset in Kerikeri.
Task
VISION Consulting Engineers Ltd. provided initial project feasibility and ongoing, engineering services for the development and completion of Te Amo Pūtoro, a unique, culturally rich māra hūpara at the Kerikeri Sports Complex, enabling this ambitious community-led initiative in Northland.
Problem
The Kerikeri Sports Complex lacked a safe, dedicated play environment for children, discouraging parents and care-givers from returning to sport.
The community-led project required professional civil engineering input for site suitability, navigating consent pathways, and managing the procurement and construction monitoring phases.
The multi-year effort required significant administrative support for refining funding proposals, drafting contracts, and managing multiple stakeholders to secure the necessary budget.
Successful implementation required deep, sustained collaboration with mana whenua Ngāti Rēhia to embed pūrākau (traditional stories) and māra hūpara concepts into the public space design.
Solution
VISION provided early-stage support, including an initial feasibility study and a significant in-kind financial contribution, to formally launch the community-driven project.
We delivered ongoing technical guidance on consent requirements and resolved concerns regarding the playspace's location relative to existing infrastructure.
Our team provided professional contract management support to the Working Group, drafting the NZS3910 contract and creating essential documentation to successfully secure the necessary construction funding.
One of our senior engineers served as the dedicated Engineer's Representative, providing formal construction oversight and quality assurance throughout the complex build phase.
"These places keep our stories alive and help tamariki learn through doing and through nature. VISION's professional partnership was key to making this space a reality."
Benefits
A critical community safety concern was definitively addressed through the creation of a safe, engaging, and highly valued play environment for Kerikeri families.
The completed māra hūpara successfully integrates Ngāti Rēhia cultural narratives, acting as a place of wānanga (learning) for all ages and fostering a deeper connection to identity in Northland.
VISION's technical input streamlined complex procurement and quality control processes, ensuring the project's compliance and long-term stability as a council-owned community asset.
The project stands as a powerful testament to the collaborative spirit of the community, supported by expert engineering services to transform a vision into a fully realised reality.
Co-creating Community & Culture | Te Amo Pūtoro Playspace
A Resounding Community Success
The official opening of Te Amo Pūtoro was a landmark event for the Kerikeri community, celebrated in national media for its successful integration of culture, play, and nature. As a community-focused engineering company, we are proud to have supported this important vision from concept to completion, delivering a vital, lasting piece of public infrastructure for Northland.
Te Amo Pūtoro Testimonial
Ange Barker - Project Manager at
Te Amo Pūtoro
Working with Ben and the Vision team for six years to complete this community play facility has been an invaluable experience. Their support, from initial scoping and feasibility studies to navigating funding and acting as Engineer to the Contract, consistently demonstrated a solution-focused approach. They are highly professional, maintain high standards, and are truly client-focused. We felt in safe hands with Vision and wholeheartedly recommend them for any project.