Better for the community, better for the environment
Retaining all 18 holes preserves the full recreational and social utility of the golf course, which supports a wide range of users - seniors, juniors, families, casual players, and clubs. It enables flexibility in course management, ensures continuous play during maintenance or flooding events, and accommodates charity tournaments that require a full layout.
While the Takapuna Golf Course is a commercial operation, it is run as a public golf course that is deliberately affordable and comparatively easy to play, with low barriers to entry. Gold Card Holders receive a substantial discount, coaching rates are reasonable, there is ample free parking, public transport is close at hand with the Smales Farm Busway Station across the road, and it regularly hosts charity tournaments that raise funds for community and social causes. The owner/operator is locally based and part of the community and so are the many staff who work at the golf course and driving range.
In effect, we have a “Public-Private Partnership” between the Takapuna Golf Course and the Kaipatiki Local Board, which has resulted in investments in infrastructure, improvements to the land and drainage, improvements to the cafe and pro-shop, all of which are allowed and enabled in the existing Management Plan for the park.
This Management Plan, which includes recognition of the public golf course and already allows for improvements to the golf course and enhancements to the park, was very recently subject to review, public consultation and given approval by the Kaipatiki Local Board.
The Management Plan also acknowledges the lease to the Takapuna Golf Course for a PUBLIC golf course within a publicly accessible park.
Improvements to the park, including a cycleway/walkway around the perimeter, drainage and pond/wetland improvements, modifications to the driving range and the golf course, are all already allowed for under the current management plan.
The Takapuna Golf Course is playing its part in identifying recreational and environmental opportunities that will build on the existing golf course operation.
Why is the Shoal Bay Solution better for the community and the environment?
It mitigates flooding that has impacted homes and businesses in the Wairau Catchment area.
It retains an 18-hole golf course that offers affordable, accessible recreation for all ages
It saves hundreds of trees and the natural habitat of flora and fauna
It’s also much more visually appealing from the motorway and neighbouring properties, than a wholesale site clearance would be
Revenues to Auckland Council continue throughout the construction
Operational efficiency through shared maintenance and huge cost savings for Council, as the course pays for the maintenance of AF Thomas Park
Supports dual-use: flood mitigation and year-round recreation, including the addition of a cycleway/walkway around the park.
