We are proposing to reclassify Opie Reserve from a Recreation Reserve to a Local Purpose - Community Reserve.
In order to adopt a reclassification, we must first seek your views on our proposal.
Opie Reserve is a 4200-square-metre green space in Highbury, between Opie Place and Wilson Crescent. It was identified as an underused reserve in a 2012 property review.
We recently received a proposal from Ngāti Hineaute Hapu Authority to lease the land to build a kōhanga reo (kindergarten) and a marae (meeting house) at the reserve. We are now proposing to reclassify the park as we believe these facilities would better serve the Highbury community than if the area remained a sports or recreation park.
If the land is reclassified, Council will then consider the proposal from Ngāti Hineaute for a land lease, which would be subject to another separate public consultation process.
Why are we proposing to reclassify Opie Reserve?
Opie Reserve is currently a recreation reserve. That means the types of activities we promote on the reserve should encourage recreation activities, such as sport or physical welfare.
However, we also have one of the city’s largest recreation reserves right across the road – Monrad Park – which has limited the use of Opie Reserve.
In the case of Opie Reserve, we have been approached by Ngāti Hineaute to lease the land for educational and community purposes. As Highbury has a popular recreation reserve in Monrad Park, we are asking you if you agree with the proposal to re-classify the reserve so that non-recreation activities can occur on the reserve.
If the land is reclassified, Council will then consider the proposal from Ngāti Hineaute for a land lease, which would be subject to another separate public consultation process.
Ngāti Hineaute chairman Chris Whaiapu says the hapu’s intention is to build a new Kōhanga Reo and urban marae that will serve the growing needs of its Rangitāne whānau, wider community and people.
“The Kōhanga Reo (kindergarten) will be built first as we have outgrown our current facility. We intend to build a facility that will future proof an enrolment number of up to 60 tamariki (children). The new urban marae will be a facility for whānau, for Ngāti Hineaute, for Rangitāne and the whole community. We have always wanted to rebuild a new marae and it has been a long-held aspiration of Ngāti Hineaute since our last marae was destroyed by arson in 1925. We are excited to develop these new facilities on Opie Place.”