Megan Carpenter - Christchurch City Council
Tara King - WSP Opus

Our journey to provide a skate park for youth in a Christchurch seaside community wasn’t an easy one. Since 2000, sites considered were challenged by nearby communities who were fearful of anti-social behaviour and noise.

For the local youth it felt like they weren’t welcome by some members of their community, and they weren’t valued enough to deserve a space to socialise, exercise, enjoy some risky play and potentially practice for the next Olympics.

In 2015, an offer of funding to build a skate park was received, following the Canterbury Earthquakes. This gift of funding could only be accessed if several conditions were met, inclusing the use of a site-specific design and set timeframe for approvals. This created a significant challenge to the engagement process. It was a recipe for disaster really – but given the opportunity to benefit the local youth, it was worth trying to get the project across the line, despite the barriers to a smooth engagement process.

We had a disruptive and well-resourced miniority who did not support the project. This created delays to the approval process which resulted in a loss of the external funding. Internal funding was sought, however the decision makers rescinded their approvals due to a fear of legal challenge, even thiough there had been 1,006 submissions from the community with 84% in support along with several local children who spoke passionately about how much they wanted the facility and deserved to be part of the community too.

This session will focus on the learnings, tips and tools that can be used for engaging on contentious projects. We plan to use interactive techniques to ensure we keep the audience focussed. We will also make available the relevant templates and tip sheet that was created.

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  Megan Carpenter

  Christchurch City Council
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  Tara King

  WSP Opus

Daniela Biaggio (Wellington City Council)

Community Conservation has been a story of transformation for Wellington. Weaving the huge amount of voluntary effort poured into care for nature in the city has shaped the identity of Wellingtonians. We share our local authority context insights on how to keep the spark alive, be agile, innovative, and resilient in our efforts for a city where people and nature thrive. Learnings from Predator Free Communities, Kiwi as an icon for reconnection and hope, inspiration from taonga spilling beyond Zealandia’s fence, and our opportunity to elevate and connect the efforts of environmental champion in a landscape.

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  Daniela Biaggio

  Urban Ecology Manager at Wellington City Council

Melanie Langlotz (Geo AR Games)

Join us for an enlightening session on the evolving landscape of technology in Parks and Recreation. Over
the past eight years, our speaker has collaborated with 140 cities globally, primarily working alongside
Parks and Recreation teams.
Embark on a forward-looking journey with our session, offering a sneak preview into a groundbreaking
marketplace tailored for the public sector. With a rich history of collaboration spanning eight years and
140 cities, our speaker brings a unique perspective, predominantly working alongside Parks and
Recreation teams.
In 2023, a disruptive platform was initiated to counter budget constraints faced by cities and government
departments. This session provides an exclusive glimpse into this transformative marketplace, focusing
on outdoor solutions with a broader scope encompassing diverse sectors.
This talk is designed for Parks and Recreation teams eager to explore the potential of technology in
community empowerment. Delve into the role of innovative solutions in outdoor spaces and learn how
technology can seamlessly integrate with parks and recreational areas to foster environmental awareness,
education, and community resilience.
Beyond the tangible applications, the session aims to illuminate the platform's overarching mission—to
empower communities globally through technology. Discover how the platform fosters collaboration
without borders, breaking down silos in the public sector. This is not just a discussion on technology; it's a
conversation about transforming the way communities interact with their environment.
Join us for this unique sneak preview into the future of public sector innovation, exploring the disruptive
potential of a marketplace designed to transcend boundaries and foster collaboration for the benefit of
communities worldwide.

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  Melanie Langlotz

  CEO of Geo AR Games

Jenn Hooper (Changing Places) & Hannah Wilson (Hastings District Council)

Resilience means different things to different people. Sometimes it’s as simple as being able to leave your own house.
Collaboration between the disability sector and the territorial authority in the parks sector can result in significant benefits. This presentation discusses various options for how your territorial authority can include Changing Places in your public space. Changing Places offers a very different public facility option which will allow your district or city to be wholly inclusive of all disabled residents or tourists and those who love and care for them giving visibility and inclusion to a cohort of our community who are currently largely invisible. We’ll describe several examples of successful collaborations within the parks sector between tertiaries, local government and other entities. Utilising gold standard specialist equipment, local world leading design and the highest technology, the provisions of these beautiful bathroom facilities make sure nobody is excluded from participating in the community because of their high and complex care needs, enriching their lives and the lives of those they encounter. The benefits will allow both high needs adults and children as well as their caregiver a safe, user friendly and practical solution and allowing them the freedom to participate in our communities/public spaces.

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  Jenn Hooper

  Founder of Changing Places
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  Hannah Wilson

  Hastings District Council

Dr Brett Morris (Syngenta)

Urban sprawl has resulted in many open spaces now surrounded by residential dwellings. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, use of drones for NDVI sensing of open space is becoming more limited and regulated due to privacy. Additionally, no fly zones are increasing as commercial aircraft fly over these newly developed areas. As such, the use of satellites for plant health monitoring is increasing. This session will introduce delegates to the newly introduced satellite monitoring developed specifically for a wide range of decision making processes. Key learnings from this session will be how this technology works and how to achieve benefits for individual facilities in practical terms.

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  Dr Brett Morris

  Syngenta

Will Bowden (PGG Wrightson Turf)

This session focuses on providing delegates with key information regarding the successful transitioning
of natural turf sports field surfaces from winter to summer seasons. The session is based on NZ R&D and
applied in the context of our unique environmental and operational conditions.
In particular, delegates will learn about key issues that influence successful turfgrass transitioning from
cool to warm-season species (i.e. ryegrass to Kikuyu and/or couchgrass).
This session focuses on providing delegates with key information regarding the successful transitioning
of natural turf sports field surfaces from winter to summer seasons. The session is based on NZ R&D and
applied in the context of our unique environmental and operational conditions.
In particular, delegates will learn about key issues that influence successful turfgrass transitioning from
cool to warm-season species (i.e. ryegrass to Kikuyu and/or couchgrass).
Key topics covered shall include:
1. Allelopathy (i.e. the effect [or otherwise] of ryegrass endophyte on emerging warm-season turf species
in spring).
2. Product application timing
3. Data based upon NZ-bred turfgrass varieties that are most sustainable in our environmental conditions
The above points shall provide delegates with a comprehensive subject overview and understanding of the
factors that are likely to influence seasonal sportsfield turfgrass management.
Attendees shall gain practical knowledge that they can take from the session and implement at an
operational level within their teams and regions. Aside from turfgrass transitioning, other topics covered
within this session shall be of benefit to those responsible for delivering year-round natural turf surfaces
where seasonal transitioning may not be a requirement.
The underpinning philosophy of the session shall be sharing advice on how to achieve positive outcomes
for natural turfgrass sports fields whilst being mindful of the environmental and operational sustainable
parameters we operate within across New Zealand.

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  Will Bowden

  Agronomist Product Development Manager at PGG Wrightson Turf

Nicki Malone (Xyst)

This presentation will explore how we used innovative and user-friendly spatial planning technologies, the
PlaceChangers tool, to assess the open space and community facility needs and accessibility of facilities.
We will take a deep dive into the possibilities of the PlaceChangers tool, drawing on a local example from
Mangawhai, a small northland community that is facing challenges common to many attractive rural
destinations that are experiencing population growth. We will also touch on international examples and
look at opportunities for the future.
The methodologies and techniques we used are applicable to anyone wanting to develop an evidencebased
open space or community facility plan.

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  Nicki Malone

  Senior Consultant at Xyst

Jacquelyn Collins (Auckland Council)

Sport NZ’s Local Play Workforce Project is creating 18 play advocate roles in councils across Aotearoa, to build tamariki wellbeing and community resilience through play. But who needs to get behind play in a council setting, and how can we win their support?
This presentation will explore how to turn elected members and council colleagues into play champions. As Auckland Council’s Play Advocacy Advisor, Jacquelyn Collins is working to build a resilient network of play opportunities for highly diverse communities, working within a complex governance structure and constrained not only by decreasing budgets, but also by the physical barriers to play in an urban environment.
In 2023 Jacquelyn engaged with 149 elected members in 2023, attended countless council team meetings, and connected with council-controlled organisations and council-funded entities, developing the role of the council in making Tāmaki Makaurau a playful city. She’s learned some lessons the hard way about creating play champions! If you’re speaking with councillors who haven’t played themselves since Muldoon was in power, or council teams who can’t quite see how play is anything to do with them, this talk will provide practical tips about increasing play resilience in your city or town.

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  Jacquelyn Collins

  Auckland Council

Dr Damien Puddle (Invercargill City Council) & Jacquelyn Collins (Auckland Council)

The way people live and explore cities has demonstrated that play is an ‘everywhere activity’ rather than
something that only occurs within prescribed activity areas (e.g., parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities).
Work by Sport NZ, local government, and its Play Advocates and Advisors over recent years has
highlighted gaps in local government processes associated with delivering play across a wider set of
spaces and places.
For instance, the current safety standards used by local government exclusively for play is limited to NZS
5828:2015 (the playground standard). While valuable, playground standards have been identified as being
overly prescriptive and not based on child-development goals. International researchers and professionals
have also recognised that current workplace health and safety risk management processes do not always
translate well to the domains of play, active recreation, and sport. This has led to the development of
benefit-risk assessment, a health and safety approach that recognises the inherent benefits involved in
physical activity and balances them with the potential risks involved.
Of great interest and value to this sector is the publishing of a new standard specifically for this purpose -
ISO 4980:2023 ‘Benefit-risk assessment for sports and recreational facilities, activities and equipment’.
This talk builds on foundations laid at previous Green Pavlova conferences and will outline challenges
associated with traditional health and safety approaches to informal play and discuss the opportunities
presented by this new benefit-risk standard. Dr Puddle will make recommendations for the future and
challenge the sector, and indeed the nation, to adopt this new approach and standard for the benefit of
children nationwide.

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  Jacquelyn Collins

  Auckland Council
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  Dr Damien Puddle

  Local Play Advocate at Invercargill City Council

Josh Clark (Tauranga City Council) & Dean Flavell (Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao Trust)

Our presentation will centre on Mauao Historical Reserve and the Mauao Implementation Plan, which sets
an example for parks nationwide. Mauao, Mount Maunganui, is one of the most popular landmarks in
Aotearoa, with more than one million visitors each year.
Deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual significance, the Mauao Implementation Plan drives the restoration,
archaeological preservation, and placemaking projects through authentic partnership with iwi and the
community.
Through the co-management approach of Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao, we will present the various innovative
projects that have been co-designed to enrich the local and visitor experience while safeguarding a sacred
archaeological environment.
Our presentation will delve into the captivating narrative of Mauao, tracing its historical roots and the
profound journey of confiscation and rightful return to the Iwi of Tauranga Moana.
We will showcase the meticulous implementation plan devised to honour the legacy of Mauao, featuring
initiatives such as uniform signage, storytelling platforms, and the establishment of interpretation sites.
Our audience will gain valuable insights into the collaborative efforts aimed at preserving cultural identity
and enhancing visitor experiences.
Furthermore, we will unveil the intricacies of the management plan, detailing operational goals such as the
removal of exotic trees (with helicopters!) to restore the natural landscape. We will illustrate the design
process, planning stages, and the transformative impact of these conservation initiatives.
We will also engage in a forward-looking discussion, exploring the next steps and future opportunities for
the preservation and stewardship of Mauao.

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  Josh Clark

  Tauranga Council
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  Dean Flavell

  Tauranga City Council

Cat Wylde and Robert Gulley (Kāpiti District Council)

Lorna Irene Drive Reserve playground won the Playground of the Year in 2023. It’s Kapiti’s only fully accessible playground. Join members of the team who share the journey of how this neighbourhood playground went from a standard renewal to what it is today. The difference it made to have Nicola and Kash from “down the road” being part of the design through to the re-dos of not having equipment just right, and all the other challenges and continuous learnings from the project. The session will include video interviews with those involved in the community consultation from Council and Community and from tamariki themselves.

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  Catherine Wylde

  Contractor at Kapiti Coast District Council
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  Robert Gulley

  Parks and Outdoor Recreation Advisor at Kapiti Coast District Council

Larissa Rose and Adrian Rodriguez (Park Supplies & Playgrounds)

Is accessible and inclusive play equipment, delivering what it needs to in the community?
So many older playgrounds do not cater for our disability community’s needs, or only focus on solutions
for certain disabilities. How can we better design inclusive playspaces and equipment and are new
“inclusive playgrounds and equipment” doing any better?
Do we need a new look into what is currently offered? We are seeking to improve the options for New
Zealand playgrounds with equipment that is manufactured here and not imported as a more sustainable
practice.
This is a talk about our journey at Park Supplies & playgrounds to ensure New Zealand designed
equipment is specific to our culture, play needs and focusing on a wide range of disabilities. We seek
equipment and designs that are tested in partnership with community groups and organisations like Deaf
Aotearoa and Disability Sport Auckland etc. and parents of children of various disabilities. This ensures we
are delivering and designing workable playspaces and equipment items, that deliver high play value and
useability for a full spectrum of children in Aotearoa.
So far in our journey, we are starting small with simple, manageable, and achievable changes, worked
through with the groups that know the needs of their children and the gaps that exist in playspaces today.
This talk by Larissa Rose, a playspace designer of 18 years and Adrian Rodrigeuz a parent to a child with a
disorder of impulsivity and self-control, both seek to show our progress, open thought provoking
discussions, and create and inspire new high value ideas and partnerships for better playspace in
Aotearoa.

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  Adrian Rodriguez

  Playground Consultant at Park Supplies & Playgrounds
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  Larissa Rose

  Landscape Architect at Park Supplies & Playgrounds

Bart Cox (Wellington City Council)

A discussion about a tree that polarises Wellington. To some, it is the pinnacle of cultural heritage and the most important plant food source in Aotearoa to others it is an ecological weed disrupting ecosystems.
Retain or remove? That was the question Wellingtonians were asked to contemplate and debate at a two-day symposium on a non-locally native species, that is doing pretty well on all accounts, in the capital.
Karaka, a native species, now abundant in Wellington has long been attracting polarising views and controversy.
Prior to human’s coming to Aotearoa New Zealand, karaka’s range was likely restricted to coastal areas of the northern North Island. Now it occurs throughout Aotearoa, including on Rēkohu/Chatham Islands, due to the transportation and subsequent planting by Tāngata Whenua and T’chaket Henu (Moriori) where it is known as kōpi.
Karaka holds very significant cultural and historical value to Tāngata Whenua and T’chaket Henu mostly as a significant food source and very much considered a taonga.
All rich debates hinge on strong arguments on both sides; some conservationists consider karaka as an environmental weed due to its capacity to outcompete other native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.
Karaka has its own named toxin, karakin and the berries can be toxic to dogs and people if not prepared correctly before eating them.
Every summer, without fail articles appear around the danger of karaka to dogs resulting in the phones ringing at the council.
But what do we really know of the danger and what do we know of the importance of karaka and is this attention balanced? By demonising karaka are we not doing karaka and Tāngata Whenua a great disservice when we cut down karaka without consultation? nd will karaka really take over Wellington and produce a monocrop?
Until recently, Wellington City Council were more than happy to cut down karaka trees without consultation, as we didn’t know any better, rather responding to panicked members of the public.
A new approach to Karaka management presents us a unique challenge that illustrates the complexities intrinsic to balancing cultural values with the integrity of the ecosystem.
Our aim is to weave all of the perspectives together to explore novel ways to address future management of karaka in Wellington that allows for both the cultural significance and the impact of the ecosystem of karaka growing unchecked. We are looking to a management strategy that is informed by our Mana Whenua partners in consultation with the community.
We believe, within this debate, sits a golden opportunity (some may say its even orange) to be a part of the building of relationships that bring greater nuance to the understanding of our native plants. In our rich cultural and ecological, multi-coloured world.

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  Bart Cox

  Wellington City Council

Leigh Radovan (Auckland Council), Drew Kenny & Trevor Butler (Frame Group)

Kauri Glen Reserve is a forested gully area in the heart of Northcote, within Auckland that has magnificent
stands of mature kauri. As part of Auckland Council’s kauri protection programme, a new accessway has
been constructed through the reserve. This includes hygiene stations, well-surfaced tracks, boardwalks
and a spectacular 60m long, 1.5m wide bridge with viewing bays that has been constructed at treetop
level across the 18m deep gully. The bridge replaces the original walking track that meandered down
through the gully on multiple steps near sensitive kauri tree roots. This path was regularly used by school
students as a direct access to Northcote College.
The chosen bridge design consists of a multiple span glue laminated timber structure supported on high
timber piers founded in the base of the gully. This solution provides better protection to the kauri trees,
whilst also providing a much-improved walking route from residential areas to the local college. An added
benefit is the outstanding opportunity the bridge provides to view the kauri forest at treetop level.
Specific design details and construction methodologies were adopted to minimise the environmental
impact of the bridge foundations and construction, and to overcome the challenges of having limited site
access and the need to apply strict kauri dieback disease hygiene protocols. Aesthetics was also a strong
consideration, with poured rubber strips utlised for grip on the bridge deck, and barriers with laser cut
stainless steel panels.
Strong support was received from Kaipatiki Local Board, the community, and the college for the tree-top
bridge solution, which is likely to encourage more students to walk to college.
Skilled contractor work by Fort Projects, together with strong technical support from the designers, Frame
Group and Auckland Council Kauri Dieback Track Specialist Team enabled the construction to be
completed with minimal site impact.

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  Drew Kenny

  Senior Designer/Project Manager at Frame Group
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  Leigh Radovan

  Senior Project Manager at Auckland Council
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  Trevor Butler

  Principal Consultant at Frame Group Limited

What's the best way to engage rangatahi to create your spaces and places?

Mana Taiohi are the national principles of Youth Development that are informed by Te Āo Māori, Aotearoa based research and the voices of rangatahi and the people that work with them. They create a whāriki that enable rangatahi in Aotearoa to thrive. Come long to wānanga Mana Taiohi with a specific focus on Youth Participation through Whai Wāhitanga.

This workshop will introduce you to the principles of Mana Taiohi through interactive activities and reflect on best practice for meaningful engagement with rangatahi, resulting in great outcomes for your communities.

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  Maarie Mareikura-Ellery

  Ara Taiohi
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  Tyler Ngatai

  Practice Lead at Ara Taiohi

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  Maarie Mareikura-Ellery

  Ara Taiohi
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  Tyler Ngatai

  Practice Lead at Ara Taiohi

Harko Brown

Many of our ancestral traditional games had their origins in protocols & rituals which acknowledged & thanked nga atua for food gifts. Pukao, also known as pukaorangi & whakamahuhu, is one of those.
Our session will involve a fun meet & greet game, followed by a bit of whakapapa on pukao, we will each make a kumarama (a type of ball) from harakeke then we will play a series of fast-paced & exciting pukao games on marked-out courts with a 2.4m central pou.
Pukao courts are very easy to make and can be played on the same small arena (10m x 10m) by 6-30players at once. This session could well influence planners of recreation to consider pukao as an exciting cultural addition to their play spaces.

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  Harko Brown

  KAIMATAI-HUPARA