Russell Park Masterplan

Waipukurau, Hawke’s Bay

The details.

Client:

Central Hawke's Bay District Council

Location:

Waipukurau

Completed:

December 2023

Project Partners

Isthmus

Project Services:

Strategic Advisory
Co-design Workshops
Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Rethinking a much-loved reserve.

Russell Park is more than green space – it’s the beating heart of sport and recreation in Waipukurau. With the district growing and community needs shifting, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council asked Veros to help shape a bold, inclusive plan for its future.

Working alongside council, the community, and mana whenua, we led the master planning process with one goal, to ensure this iconic reserve continues to serve and inspire for generations to come.

Listening, learning, and leading together.

From the outset, this was a team effort. We started by getting out into the community—running surveys, gathering stories, and understanding what mattered most to locals. Co-design workshops helped align council aspirations with grassroots ideas, creating space for both strategy and imagination.

One of the more complex challenges? Navigating a patchwork of landowners, leaseholders, and stakeholder interests—all while ensuring hau kāinga were not just consulted, but meaningfully involved. A Cultural Impact Assessment helped embed Māori values and heritage into the plan from the ground up.

We knew we couldn’t just make a plan — we had to make a shared vision. That meant really listening, staying flexible, and building trust at every step.

Tayler Piahana

Development Manager

A blueprint for community growth.

Our role wasn’t just to design – it was to step back and help council think long-term. That meant assessing what the park needs now, what it might need in 20 years, and how to lay the groundwork for smart investment.

We looked at everything from facility use to future-proofing access, balancing practical realities with future potential. The resulting master plan is a clear, strategic guide that reflects what the people of Waipukurau value – and what they hope to see next.

What we delivered.

Consensus, not compromise – By building strong relationships and staying people-first, we brought five landowners, two leaseholders, and a wide range of voices into alignment.
An integrated plan – One that connects facility development, community priorities, cultural recognition, and long-term planning.
A foundation for action – This master plan will directly inform CHBDC’s Long-Term Plan 2021-2031, shaping decisions, funding, and future development at Russell Park.

Why it matters.

This project reflects what we do best at Veros: helping clients navigate complexity, engage meaningfully, and plan with purpose. Russell Park is now set up for a future that honours its history, responds to community needs, and creates space for even more possibilities.

Where it’s happening.

Russell Park