Co-creating Community & Culture | Te Amo Pūtoro Playspace
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
May 2025
June 2025
This project has been realised by
The Bottom Line
VISION's foundational support and technical guidance were instrumental in empowering the dedicated Working Group, including Ngāti Rēhia, Healthy Families Far North, and FNDC, to realise Te Amo Pūtoro, the Far North's first council-owned māra hūpara, thereby supporting cultural connection and community well-being through a true community effort.
Task
VISION Consulting Engineers Ltd. provided initial project feasibility and ongoing technical guidance for the development of Te Amo Pūtoro, a unique culturally-rich playspace at the Kerikeri Sports Complex, supporting the broader community-led initiative.
Problem
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Children needed a safe place to play at the Kerikeri Sports Complex while parents and caregivers played sport.
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The project, initiated by community members, required significant professional engineering input for feasibility, design development, navigating consent pathways, and construction.
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Securing diverse funding streams over several years proved challenging.
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Successful implementation necessitated close collaboration between numerous stakeholders, including local iwi, council, and community groups, to promote cultural authenticity and project alignment.
Solution
VISION supported this community-led project from its early stages, beginning with a feasibility study and a substantial in-kind financial contribution to help get it off the ground. We provided ongoing technical guidance around consent pathways, including advice on resource consent versus permitted activity, and helped resolve concerns about the playspace’s location in relation to existing infrastructure.
Throughout the development phase, our team worked closely with the Working Group, led by Ange Barker, to refine funding proposals, prepare NZS3910 contract documentation, and help overcome key funding challenges — ultimately contributing to securing full build funding. One of our senior engineers was seconded to the Far North District Council as the Engineer’s Representative, offering dedicated oversight and quality assurance during construction.
In addition, we actively contributed to the co-design process by supporting data collection during community engagement and collaborating on the integration of Ngāti Rēhia’s pūrākau and māra hūpara concepts into the playspace design, alongside partners such as Healthy Families Far North and Boffa Miskell.
Benefits
A critical community safety issue was addressed through the development of a dedicated, safe, and engaging play environment for children. The project thoughtfully incorporated Ngāti Rēhia’s cultural narratives, fostering intergenerational play, strengthening social connection, and creating a unique sense of place. Led by the Working Group and supported by VISION’s expertise, a wide range of funding was successfully secured, and complex procurement processes were navigated with care—bringing the project from concept to reality. VISION’s technical involvement ensured compliance and quality throughout, helping position Te Amo Pūtoro as a long-term, valued asset for the Far North community.