26 New Zealand parks and green spaces secure internationally recognised Green Flag Award status

November 21, 2024

Environment / Parks / Recreation /

26 parks and green spaces across New Zealand have achieved a prestigious international recognition of quality - Green Flag Award status - highlighting their recreational and environmental value.

The Green Flag Award is a global mark of excellence, setting a high standard for parks and open spaces.

To receive this award, parks must meet rigorous quality benchmarks. The Green Flag Award ensures communities have access to safe, well-managed green spaces, which meets their needs and enhances their local environment.

The award promotes best practices in park management and acknowledges the work of those dedicated to maintaining these spaces.

Each park was carefully evaluated by professional volunteer judges, who assessed their safety, upkeep, sustainability, and appeal to the community.

Kieran Smith, Parks, Play, and Open Spaces Manager at Recreation Aotearoa advised “this award underscores the exceptional standards in New Zealand’s parks, recognising those who care for and maintain these vital community spaces.

“Parks are at the heart of our communities, providing spaces for connection, relaxation, play, and learning. To see so many awarded parks grow year after year reflects our collective commitment to preserving these invaluable assets. Feedback from applicants has been overwhelmingly positive, with organisations viewing this award as a critical indicator of their performance and success.”

The 26 winning parks will each fly the Green Flag Award flag as a symbol of their achievement and commitment to high standards.

Internationally, Aotearoa New Zealand is ranked third on the list of Green Flag Award parks and green spaces, following the United Kingdom and UAE.

The 2024/25 Green Flag Award winners are:

Wainoni Park, Auckland Council
North Shore Memorial Park, Auckland Council
Arataki, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Auckland Council
Maungawhau / Mt Eden, Auckland Council
Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland Council
Ōmana Regional Park, Auckland Council
Hunua Ranges Regional Park, Auckland Council
Atiu Creek Regional Park, Auckland Council
Cornwall Park, Hastings District Council
Flaxmere Park, Hastings District Council
Frimley Park, Hastings District Council
Havelock North Village Green, Hastings District Council
Driscoll Reserve, Horowhenua District Council
Jubilee Park, Horowhenua District Council
Thompson House Park, Horowhenua District Council
Holben Reserve, Horowhenua District Council
Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park, Horowhenua District Council
Te Maire Park, Horowhenua District Council
Whenua Tapu, Porirua City Council
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth District Council
King Edward Park, South Taranaki District Council
Huharua Park, Western Bay of Plenty District Council / Tauranga City Council
TECT All Terrain Park, Western Bay of Plenty District Council / Tauranga City Council

Additionally, three parks and green spaces achieved the Green Flag Community Award, which recognises the efforts of trusts or community groups who manage recreation spaces.

Randwick Park, RPSC Trust and For A Cause Ltd
Te Mata Park, Te Mata Peak Trust
Henley Lake, Henley Lake Trust

For more information on the Green Flag Award programme, the winning parks, and how to get involved, visit the Green Flag Award website

Image. Pukekura Park. Credit: New Plymouth District Council

16th February 2023 - New Zealand parks secure internationally recognised Green Flag Awards

12th January 2023 - Sunshine Coast’s Kings Beach Park and Community Precinct secures Green Flag Award

1st March 2022 - TECT All Terrain Park in Bay of Plenty named one of Green Flag Award top ten parks in the world

18th February 2022 - Auckland Domain retains Green Flag Award recognition

18th August 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia calls for final nominations for Green Flag Award

10th December 2020 - Te Mata Park voted in top 10 of International Green Flag Awards Parks

8th December 2020 - Queanbeyan parks reaccredited with prestigious international Green Flag awards

30th November 2020 - 24 parks and open spaces across New Zealand receive Green Flag Award

13th May 2019 - Tauranga’s TECT Park secures Best of Parks Green Flag Award

20th November 2018 - 23 parks and open space areas in New Zealand receive Green Flag Awards

24th October 2018 - New Australian Green Flag Award winners announced at International Parks Congress

22nd May 2018 - Tapapakanga Regional Park retains Green Flag award

16th March 2018 - Auckland parks head list of Green Flags Award winners

5th October 2017 - Parks and Leisure Australia to manage Green Flag Award parks program

15th April 2017 - Fifth Green Flag Award cements Centennial Parklands’ world-class status

11th March 2017 - Green Flags flying over Australian and New Zealand public parks

9th January 2014 - Outstanding parks recognised with international Green Flag Award

29th January 2013 - Centennial Parklands gains world-class recognition with Green Flag Award

16th September 2012 - Green Flag Award launched in Australia and New Zealand

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