Proposed lease at Bill Brown Park

At the June 2025 Council meeting, elected members decided to grant the lease to Kia Toa Football Club. The rugby club will take care of all construction work, which is expected to start in late 2026.

concept drawing of the proposed new clubrooms.

Following feedback from you, we've decided to lease part of Bill Brown Park to Kia Toa Rugby Football Club so they can build a new clubroom.

What's happening

We're issuing a 33-year lease for Council land at Bill Brown Park, 21 Havelock Avenue.

Kia Toa plans to build a clubroom near the north-eastern fence line of the basketball courts, extending into the grass playing fields (see the maps in the photo gallery at the bottom of this page).

The lease area covers up to 751m², with a 300m² building that will include an entry area, a dining hall, kitchen, bathrooms, a bar and storage areas.

The lease also allows for a future extension if Kia Toa decides to expand the building.

Kia Toa Rugby Football Club is Palmerston North’s oldest rugby club, founded in 1902. It has a strong history in the community, with senior and junior rugby and netball teams, a loyal supporter base, and deep connections to the Highbury and Takaro communities.

The rugby club will take care of all construction work, which is expected to start in late 2026.

How Council reached this decision

We asked for community feedback in April and May 2025. We asked if you supported the proposal, and if you had any concerns. Thank you to everyone who had your say.

Elected members heard oral submissions at a meeting on 28 May before deciding to grant the lease to Kia Toa Football Club on 25 June 2025.

How will the clubrooms be used?

Mainly for after-match functions on Saturday afternoons and evenings.
Occasionally for club meetings, muster days, and prize-giving events.
Kia Toa may enter into agreements with other sports codes to share the facilities.
Kia Toa may hire out the building for other groups and events, but only for alcohol-free gatherings.

Kia Toa would need to go through the usual consenting and licensing processes, which would cover things like hours of operation, noise levels and alcohol licences.