Tairua Skatepark

Tairua, Thames-Coramandel

Client:

Thames-Coromandel District Council

Location:

Tairua

Completed:

From 2021 - ongoing

Project Services:

Strategic Advisory
Site Identification
Stakeholder Workshops
Project Management

Project overview

For nearly three decades, the Tairua community passionately debated the creation of a family-friendly skatepark, with over 90% support from local residents. However, finding a suitable location that met everyone’s expectations proved challenging, and previous efforts to engage the community and comply with statutory requirements were met with legal challenges. This necessitated a complete reset of the project process.

The Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC), recognising the complexity of the situation and Veros’ strong reputation in the Waikato region for handling challenging projects, approached Veros to lead the skatepark project. The first stage focused on conducting an independent review and analysis of potential locations, ensuring thorough community engagement and adherence to all statutory obligations. Veros devised a comprehensive engagement strategy, consisting of pre-engagement and formal engagement phases, to gather community input and inform a multi-criteria analysis for the skatepark location.

Through meticulous consultation and engagement processes, including the special consultative procedure outlined in the Local Government Act 2002, TCDC received 1,044 submissions, with an overwhelming majority supporting the development at Cory Park Domain. This rigorous engagement process led to the TCDC’s informed decision to adopt Cory Park Domain as the skatepark’s location on May 24, 2022.

The Tairua community at large have wanted a skatepark for some 30 years, but the parks’ location has been exceptionally divisive. It was therefore critical that this process was fair, comprehensive, and involved the community from start to finish to ensure an outcome that is best for the community. This was achieved, with over 90% of the community supporting construction at Cory Park Domain, and the project process standing up to Judicial Review Challenge. This is a fantastic outcome for the Tairua community who will soon have their very long awaited skatepark.

Adele Hadfield

Strategic Projects Director

Project outcomes

Awarded the contract for project delivery and construction in July 2022, Veros embarked on the second stage of the project, focusing on skatepark design and construction. This phase was informed by a detailed analysis of three potential locations, with Cory Park Domain emerging as the preferred site due to its suitability and strong community support.

Despite facing a Judicial Review challenging the project process and council decisions, Strategic Advisory Team at Veros provided robust defence and support to TCDC, leading to the dismissal of the case. This victory allowed the project to proceed without further delay.

Through the design and construction period, Veros adeptly managed the project scope and budget while navigating challenges like:

Judicial review
High water table
Tight site constraints
Multiple site stakeholders
Health and safety concerns

Despite these hurdles, Veros ensured that the Tairua community’s long-standing vision for a skatepark finally came to fruition, with the skatepark opening on April 15, 2023. This successful completion not only symbolises a significant community milestone but also reflects Veros’s ability to manage complex projects through challenging circumstances.