Te Awe Māpara – The Community Facilities Plan

Consultation has concluded

Kia ora koutou,

Ngā mihi nui (thanks very much) for your contribution to the development of Te Awe Māpara (the Community Facilities Plan). It was adopted by the Kōrau Mātinitini| Social, Cultural, Economic Committee on 23 November 2023.

We are busy designing the new plan, however in the meantime you can read the documents on our website.   The summary of the submissions is also available.


About this project

Community facilities are places where people can play, connect, exercise, create, be inspired, develop a sense of belonging, and improve health and wellbeing. We’ve developed Te Awe Māpara - the draft Community Facilities Plan to guide the Council’s provision and decision-making about community facilities for the next 30 years. 

The draft Plan does not propose closing or building any new community facilities in Wellington. This is because any potential change to a community facility needs to be thoroughly investigated and the community engaged before making a final decision.

The Plan highlights areas and facilities for the Council to carry out further analysis and investigations to understand the needs and aspirations of the community more fully. The Plan sets out the process to for carrying out these needs and feasibility studies. The most important part of this process is to work closely with the community – every step of the way.

In November last year we asked what is important to you about facilities and what you would like to see in the future. We had over 5,700 responses to our surveys and this feedback informed the development of the Plan. We heard that while many people value and use our facilities, there is low awareness of some. There were calls for better quality community facilities with a wider range and more inclusive activities. The demand for new facilities was limited, but people want more multi-function hub models (like Waitohi Hub in Johnsonville), flexible spaces and more shared facilities rather than single purpose ones.

Through our needs analysis (see summary report to the right of this page), we learned there are very few geographical gaps of community facility provision in the city, even accounting for the anticipated growth. The key issues we identified are the size, condition, location and functionality (suitable design for the range of intended activities and for all people to use it) of our facilities are not well set up for current and future needs.




The way forward

To address these challenges, we need to evolve our community facility network to be more cohesive, resilient and effective into the future. The Plan proposes the many steps the Council will take to ensure our facilities are fit for the future and continue to meet the needs and aspirations of Wellingtonians.

The mission of the Plan is to have, 'thriving and accessible community facilities - where people connect, have fun and belong'. To deliver on this mission, the focus will be on achieving the following five outcomes: 

Manaakitanga - We are good hosts, and our facilities are accessible and equitable for all. We are respectful, generous and care for others and our community.

Whanaungatanga - Our facilities provide places for people to share, develop relationships and build connections, strengthening our sense of belonging and community.

Pārekareka - Our facilities enable people to thrive by providing places to have fun, participate, create, perform, learn and play.

Pāhekohekotanga - Our facilities work together cohesively to be efficient and deliver a diverse range of activities and opportunities. 

Tiakitanga - We are committed to our guardian and stewardship role. We nurture and manage our facilities to be environmentally and economically sustainable now and into the future. 

Note that Te Whai Oranga Pōneke helps inform the strategic framework for this Plan, and these outcomes are therefore similar.



What does the Plan include? 

The Plan covers a wide range of community facilities (275) including: 

  • libraries 
  • swimming pools  
  • recreation centres
  • community centres  
  • marae
  • community spaces in city housing complexes  
  • public toilets 
  • leased community facilities on Council land used by sports, recreation, arts, culture and community groups.  

We also considered non-council facilities, such as schools, churches, marae and private community facilities as these often fulfil similar functions in some areas.

Consultation has now closed. Thank you for having your say.

If you have any questions you can always reach us at policysubmission@wcc.govt.nz.

Kia ora koutou,

Ngā mihi nui (thanks very much) for your contribution to the development of Te Awe Māpara (the Community Facilities Plan). It was adopted by the Kōrau Mātinitini| Social, Cultural, Economic Committee on 23 November 2023.

We are busy designing the new plan, however in the meantime you can read the documents on our website.   The summary of the submissions is also available.


About this project

Community facilities are places where people can play, connect, exercise, create, be inspired, develop a sense of belonging, and improve health and wellbeing. We’ve developed Te Awe Māpara - the draft Community Facilities Plan to guide the Council’s provision and decision-making about community facilities for the next 30 years. 

The draft Plan does not propose closing or building any new community facilities in Wellington. This is because any potential change to a community facility needs to be thoroughly investigated and the community engaged before making a final decision.

The Plan highlights areas and facilities for the Council to carry out further analysis and investigations to understand the needs and aspirations of the community more fully. The Plan sets out the process to for carrying out these needs and feasibility studies. The most important part of this process is to work closely with the community – every step of the way.

In November last year we asked what is important to you about facilities and what you would like to see in the future. We had over 5,700 responses to our surveys and this feedback informed the development of the Plan. We heard that while many people value and use our facilities, there is low awareness of some. There were calls for better quality community facilities with a wider range and more inclusive activities. The demand for new facilities was limited, but people want more multi-function hub models (like Waitohi Hub in Johnsonville), flexible spaces and more shared facilities rather than single purpose ones.

Through our needs analysis (see summary report to the right of this page), we learned there are very few geographical gaps of community facility provision in the city, even accounting for the anticipated growth. The key issues we identified are the size, condition, location and functionality (suitable design for the range of intended activities and for all people to use it) of our facilities are not well set up for current and future needs.




The way forward

To address these challenges, we need to evolve our community facility network to be more cohesive, resilient and effective into the future. The Plan proposes the many steps the Council will take to ensure our facilities are fit for the future and continue to meet the needs and aspirations of Wellingtonians.

The mission of the Plan is to have, 'thriving and accessible community facilities - where people connect, have fun and belong'. To deliver on this mission, the focus will be on achieving the following five outcomes: 

Manaakitanga - We are good hosts, and our facilities are accessible and equitable for all. We are respectful, generous and care for others and our community.

Whanaungatanga - Our facilities provide places for people to share, develop relationships and build connections, strengthening our sense of belonging and community.

Pārekareka - Our facilities enable people to thrive by providing places to have fun, participate, create, perform, learn and play.

Pāhekohekotanga - Our facilities work together cohesively to be efficient and deliver a diverse range of activities and opportunities. 

Tiakitanga - We are committed to our guardian and stewardship role. We nurture and manage our facilities to be environmentally and economically sustainable now and into the future. 

Note that Te Whai Oranga Pōneke helps inform the strategic framework for this Plan, and these outcomes are therefore similar.



What does the Plan include? 

The Plan covers a wide range of community facilities (275) including: 

  • libraries 
  • swimming pools  
  • recreation centres
  • community centres  
  • marae
  • community spaces in city housing complexes  
  • public toilets 
  • leased community facilities on Council land used by sports, recreation, arts, culture and community groups.  

We also considered non-council facilities, such as schools, churches, marae and private community facilities as these often fulfil similar functions in some areas.

Consultation has now closed. Thank you for having your say.

If you have any questions you can always reach us at policysubmission@wcc.govt.nz.