Proudly overlooking Tauranga Moana, Summerhill Base is a new community space enabling a space for locals to connect with the land. With sweeping views of the Bay of Plenty coastline, Summerhill is a welcoming destination where locals and visitors can explore, enjoy and experience the significance of the Pāpāmoa hills.

Summerhill Charitable Trust was founded in 2012 by David and Cloie Blackley with the aim of promoting recreation and education. The 126-hectare property was generously gifted to the trust in perpetuity, and all farm proceeds and donations are dedicated to maintaining and developing the land for the benefit of the community. The operational farm sees sheep and cattle across rolling hill country, with forestry established on the steeper terrain.

The construction of a new purpose-built facility at the park enables a space for the community to experience a rural setting and approach to the landscape. With easy access on the fringe of our city, Summerhill Base is at is essence, a place to shelter and gather. The stunning new building provides a platform for gatherings and events and a direct connection to the environment.

With accessible facilities, bookings are affordable and available to schools, for-purpose organisations and corporates. The building provides a base to enjoy the range of outdoor activities available at the park, including a new permanent orienteering course and extensive walking and mountain bike trails. With a short connecting walk to the neighbouring Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park, there are breathtaking views and historical sites to be enjoyed.

Part of the purpose of Summerhill is to give people the chance of on-farm interaction. The park also supports a range of restoration programmes with volunteer opportunities to be involved through catchment and community groups.

Summerhill Charitable Trust trustee Gabrielle Walton says the purposeful new facility will provide long term benefit to the community.

“Summerhill is a unique and special place. We are thrilled to provide a space that will enable more people to enjoy it, to learn and to reconnect with the landscape.”

Walton says that nearly two-thirds of the construction and fit-out costs were contributed through grant funding, sponsorship and donations from local organisations.

“The development of Summerhill Base couldn’t have happened without our generous funding partners. The support of TECT Community Trust was instrumental in enabling the project. Working with TECT was an incredibly encouraging experience and their grant of over $300,000 ensures Summerhill can be enjoyed by many more people now and in the future.”

“The project and the partnerships that enabled it reinforce what we’re here for, which is to serve the community with our land and our forests.”

The stunning building was designed in collaboration with the Auckland University School of Architecture. Spanning several years, the project saw students conceptualize a structure that celebrated the site, its history and unique purpose. Reflecting the design of the farms original wool shed, the final design by Leith Macfarlane, is equally practical with it’s rural attitude and elegant in its form.

The design honours the trust’s heritage, reimagines traditional farm elements and showcases timbers grown on the farm. The considered design caters to a wide variety of functions and groups, in a warm and welcoming manner. The trust’s relationship with the university has also seen other structures around the farm designed to be explored and enjoyed.

Trust administrator Nadine Bailey is excited about the future and the opportunities that Summerhill Base will enable.

“Summerhill is an inspiring location and a taonga (treasure) to be enjoyed. We welcome everyone to come and experience this place and connect with the land.”

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