The rain held off for the local community and the Roskill Development team for the Freeland Reserve Celebration event, held on October 29th in the Roskill South neighbourhood. The event was a huge success with over 500 people attending. 

The Roskill development team, Piritahi, build partners, and people from the community came together to help mark a significant neighbourhood milestone  – the completion of an innovative new community amenity for the people of Roskill South. Other attendees on the day included Auckland Light Rail, Auckland Council Libraries, Minister Michael Woods, Councillor J Fairey Albert-Eden – Puketapapa Ward, LB Chair – Ella Kumar, new Deputy Chair Fiona Lai, Jon Turner, Roseanna Hay, Mark Pervan and Bobby Shen.



Freeland Reserve is the first shovel ready project to be completed in a Large Scale Project. 

The regeneration of Freeland Reserve has not only been about better management of stormwater and waterways, it’s been designed as a place for the community to enjoy walkways, BBQ’s, native planting, Māori art and heritage stories. 

Previously an area prone to flooding, and lacking safe transport links to local schools, the newly completed Freeland Reserve now serves the community. Developed in partnership with Mana Whenua, the innovative waterway network at the Reserve has seen Te Auaunga Awa returned to its natural state, with the daylighting of a previously piped stream.

Pastor Graeme Hight from Roskill Baptist Church and Whaea Helene Crowne opened the proceedings, with inspirational speeches welcoming the community back to the reserve and thanking everyone for their mahi. 

The vibrant celebration at Freeland Reserve couldn't have taken place without the input of 23 community groups, who helped with the setup, and organised music, entertainment and operational logistics on the day. 



A fun scavenger hunt for the kids, saw the Roskill Development team give away 400 plus icy blocks, not to mention cooking up over 500 free sausages for everyone to enjoy! A heartfelt mihi goes out to everyone who contributed to the regeneration of Freeland Reserve and to all parties who contributed to the success of the celebration event. 

Check out the gallery of the day below.