Two Auckland recreation spaces have been recognised on the national stage, taking out top honours at the 2026 Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards, held tonight in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

The awards highlight the parks, play spaces, and people shaping how New Zealand communities connect, move, and spend time outdoors.

Eastview Reserve in East Auckland received the 2026 Community Park of the Year award.

The project responds to community growth in the area and a gap in local play provision. It transforms an underutilised reserve into a place designed for whānau, connection, and everyday use.

Delivered in partnership between Auckland Council, Resillio Studio, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Pāoa, the reserve reflects a strong relationship with its local community and the surrounding environment.

The design restores Ōmaru Creek and weaves cultural identity throughout the space, with māra hūpara (traditional Māori play), nature play, and mahi toi (art) integrated across the reserve.

The result is a space that is not just on the land, but truly of the land, creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play, move, and connect.

Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush received the 2026 Playspace of the Year award (over $500,000).

The project has transformed 94 hectares of previously underused land into a large, intergenerational recreation space for a growing community.

Drawing on the surrounding Wairepo wetland, the design reflects the natural landscape and local stories, with cultural elements embedded throughout the playspace.

The park offers a wide range of opportunities for recreation, from separate junior and senior recreation areas to sports courts and open space, supporting people of all ages and abilities to take part.

Judges also recognised the project’s strong focus on sustainability. It is Auckland Council’s first parks project to formally measure embodied carbon during design, helping guide material choices, reduce waste, and set a benchmark for future development.

Recreation Aotearoa Parks, Play, and Open Spaces Programme Manager Kieran Smith says the award winners reflect an evolution in how recreation spaces are designed and delivered.

“These projects show what is possible when we think differently about the role of parks in our communities,” he says.

“They respond to real local needs, reflect the identity of place, and create spaces where people can connect, move, and belong.”

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