Exciting progress is being made on the Ōpunakē Green Space project! After months of planning, the project team is preparing to go out to tender in November, with the goal of appointing a contractor in December. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2026.
The timing has been carefully planned to ensure there is no disruption to Ōpunakē’s busy summer holiday season, when the town centre is full of visitors and locals enjoying the sunshine, shops, and beach.
The Green Space will transform the heart of town into a vibrant community hub, a place for families to gather, visitors to pause, and events to be celebrated. Guided by the Ōpunakē co-design group and shaped by strong local input, the design includes landscaped green areas, seating, and flexible open spaces that can host performances, markets, and cultural activities.
“This project is about more than just beautification,” says South Taranaki District Council’s community services group manager Rob Haveswood. “It’s about creating a central place that reflects who we are as a community and gives us all a space to connect, relax, and celebrate together.”
Work on the ground will begin in early 2026, but the vision is already taking shape. Keep an eye out for more updates as the project moves forward, the new Green Space is coming soon!
