Twenty-three parks and green spaces across Aotearoa New Zealand have today achieved Green Flag Award® status — an international recognition of excellence that reflects not only beautiful landscapes, but strong management, environmental stewardship, and community connection.

The Green Flag Award® is a global benchmark for quality, setting the standard for well-managed, safe, and community-centred green spaces. These New Zealand parks will be part of a network of more than 2,300 parks across 17 countries.

The Green Flag Award® takes a holistic view of what makes a great park. It looks at how a space is cared for, how sustainably it operates, how it keeps people safe, and how well it works with its community to deliver the things that matter most. It celebrates kaitiaki in action, with councils, volunteers, rangers, and community groups working together to create environments where people and nature thrive.

To earn this recognition, each park must meet rigorous benchmarks and demonstrate best practice in maintenance, environmental management, accessibility, cultural connection, and long-term planning. Volunteer judges carefully assessed each site for safety, sustainability, upkeep, and overall visitor experience.

This award is about more than gardens. It recognises stewardship, partnership, and the creation of healthy green spaces that support vibrant, resilient communities across Aotearoa.

The 2025—2026 Green Flag Award® winners are:

• North Shore Memorial Park, Auckland Council
• Te Piringa /Cascade Kauri, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Auckland Council
• Kaipātiki, 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
• Pukekura Park, New Plymouth District Council
• Pou Tu O Te Rangi Harding Park, Kaipara District Council
• Motutawa Avalon Park, Hutt City Council
• Yatton Park / Tutarawānanga, Tauranga City Council
• Jubilee Park, Western Bay of Plenty 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. The Community Award recognises community-led or community-run spaces that are well-managed, safe, and welcoming.

The 2025—2026 Green Flag Community Award winners are:

• Randwick Park, RPSC Trust and For A Cause Ltd, Auckland
• Te Mata Park, Te Mata Peak Trust, Hastings
• Henley Lake, Henley Lake Trust, Masterton

“This award continues to highlight the exceptional standards across Aotearoa’s parks, recognising those who care for and maintain these vital community spaces,” says Kieran Smith, Parks, Play, and Open Spaces Manager at Recreation Aotearoa.

“Parks are at the heart of our communities. They are places for connection, relaxation, play, and learning. What makes the Green Flag Award® so valuable is how applicants use it — to demonstrate their success, gain constructive feedback, and share knowledge with industry experts. It supports continuous improvement and showcases the outstanding work happening in parks across the motu,” said Smith.

The 23 winning parks will each fly the Green Flag as a symbol of their achievement and commitment to high standards.

About Recreation Aotearoa

Recreation is Aotearoa is the membership association representing professionals in the recreation industry. We empower our members to deliver the quality recreation experiences, places and facilities, that fuel a more active, healthy, and connected NZ. For more information about Recreation Aotearoa, visit: www.recreationaotearoa.org.nz.

About the Green Flag Award®

The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. For more information on the Green Flag Award® programme, the winning parks, and how to get involved, visit the Green Flag Award® website. https://www.greenflagaward.org/

© Scoop Media