Senior figures in New Zealand sport are calling for greater protection of the country’s urban sporting infrastructure, as Auckland Council considers converting the nation’s most-used golf course into a stormwater reservoir.

Thousands of local residents who oppose the plan say the Council’s proposal would require significant regulatory approvals and lengthy Environmental Court hearings, taking years to implement. They argue that an alternative dry-basin flood management design, developed by an international golf course architect, would not require resource consent and could be delivered much earlier, preserving the full 18-hole course as a regional asset.

Golf NZ CEO Jeff Latch is concerned with the Council’s proposal and says the threat to the Takapuna course is emblematic of a wider crisis facing recreational land supply throughout the country.

“Right now there is a chronic shortage of outdoor sporting space in urban centres. Currently, golf is the most played sport in New Zealand with over half a million Kiwis playing each year, including an estimated one in every ten Aucklanders.

Latch says numbers are up 50% in the past five years and junior participation in the sport has increased by 25% in the past 12 months alone.

“Takapuna is one of the few remaining public 18-hole courses in Auckland, and it plays a vital role in providing affordable, accessible sport for a fast-growing and diverse population. I do worry that counsellors aren’t aware of just how big a sport golf is now.

“We haven’t built a new public golf course in Auckland for decades. So to consider taking one away and the busiest one at that makes absolutely no sense. The course is an essential piece of infrastructure in a part of Auckland where recreational spaces are already under pressure.”

“Public courses like Takapuna are critical for growing the game; they are entry points for juniors, up and coming amateurs, retirees and casual players alike. The perception that golf is an elite sport is outdated. Courses like Takapuna prove it’s a game for everyone.

This isn’t just about golf, it's about urban green space, health, inclusion and making sure we don’t strip away the few public facilities we have left. We don’t get the chance to create new public golf courses in cities anymore and if we start removing the ones we have, the future of accessible sport in our cities is in real trouble.”

Mike Bishop, CEO of Harbour Sport says Takapuna Golf is a “jewel” in the sport and recreation crown for the North Shore and the area needs more of these facilities not fewer.

“Once you pave over these spaces, they’re gone for good and with the North Shore’s rapid population growth we simply can’t afford a mistake like this.

“This is a public course with reasonable fees that anyone can book. During weekends and evenings, you’ll see people walking the course just for exercise, it’s a public asset with significant community value and we cannot lose it.

“This is not just a golf course but a vital recreational area for the local community. During COVID this space was a lifeline for physical activity. It’s a green area used by thousands every month,” says Bishop.

In addition to the loss of recreational space, local property experts estimate the closure could also wipe millions from surrounding real estate values and significantly reduce future Council rates revenue.

“I was there at the meeting when Takapuna Golf presented an alternative design developed by experts that meets flood protection goals and preserves the course for the community. It will not only address the flood dissipation issue but will retain the golf course in a slightly altered fashion and ensure that key neighbouring public facilities such as Eventfinda Stadium will not be compromised as happened in the floods of 2023.

“The situation requires a commonsense approach that will achieve what Auckland Council requires and ensure that there remains a proactive long-term approach to recreation, sport and community health infrastructure,” he says.

Latch says the macroeconomic benefits golf provides to the country should not be underestimated.

“Golf is thriving in New Zealand, not just in the traditional 18-hole format, but across a growing number of variants.

“We’re seeing incredible performances from our elite players on the world stage, a surge in amateur success internationally, and rapid growth in areas like simulator golf and golf-based gaming, this is all feeding into a groundswell of momentum for the sport.

“Golf tourists are among the highest-yielding visitors to New Zealand, particularly those from the United States. They spend more here than almost any other type of traveller.

“There’s a real opportunity to attract more of these high-value visitors, especially if Auckland’s courses work together to market the region as a golf destination. Queenstown has done a really great job of that, they’ve built a compelling international golf tourism offering and Auckland could be doing the same.

“Tourism NZ figures show overseas visitors who are golfers, particularly from North America and Australia, typically play five to seven rounds per trip and spend generously across accommodation, hospitality and retail; that's a major economic opportunity we can’t ignore.

“Golf is unique in that it is a sport that can be played throughout your entire life. The strongest level of growth is coming from kids under the age of 18, which is incredibly exciting for the future of the sport.

“Local government has a key role to play in looking at this holistically and ensuring we can continue to capitalise on these opportunities,” he says.

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