Hayman Park Repo

Hayman Park was once a space of thriving repo (wetlands) providing key function of cleansing water run off before heading into Waipuhinui (Puhinui stream) and then the Manukau Harbour. These repo held valuable biodiversity of native fish, birds, insects, and plants.

Together with Waiohua iwi, Auckland Council Healthy Waters and Ōtara Papatoetoe Local Board, Eke Panuku are working to regenerate this area to improve and retain it as the green lungs of Manukau, supporting sustainable growth.

Background

Hayman Park (and Manukau) sits within a significant cultural landscape to mana whenua specifically Waiohua Iwi (comprised of Te Ākitai o Waiohua, Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua and Ngaati Tamaoho). It is important to acknowledge the significance of this site and how this project could contribute to regenerating the whenua (place) and tangata (people).

Hayman Park is a key open space in central Manukau that has been integral to the development of Manukau City Centre. The project sits at the centre of the Transform Manukau Programme and is a key deliverable of Te Whakaoranga o Te Puhinui: Te Rautaki (Te Puhinui Regeneration Strategy) led by Eke Panuku.

Initiated in 2020, the first stage included a new destination playground. Moving forward, this project will upgrade the existing ponds with a naturalised repo, plant extensive native species, create new accessible pathways, develop key entry points, and showcase artwork to support a more culturally and ecologically rich environment.