It’s been a long time coming – so much time and mahi has gone into the planning and upgrades at Freeland Reserve, and we’re really proud to be opening up this wonderful amenity to the community again.
Over two years, Freeland Reserve has been transformed into a beautiful and innovative park with an important purpose. The reserve is a natural wetland that uses modern engineering and native planting to process stormwater– this will help decrease flooding and improve water quality into the future.
There wasn't much at Freeland Reserve before we started the upgrades - so we took the opportunity to work with our development partners (Piritahi, Mana Whenua, Auckland Council and Puketāpapa) to create wide, curving walkways, public artworks, bike racks, seating, footbridges, a viewing platform over the water, and a BBQ area for picnics.
Check out our before and after video to see how far we’ve come.
Kainga Ora - Freelands Slider.mp4 on Vimeo
As you stroll through the reserve, your attention is likely to be drawn to the beautiful Māori artworks and storyboards which bring the history of the area into the present. Te Auaunga, the awa running through Freeland Reserve, was once part of a vast wetland which was an important source of food, medicine and building supplies for Māori. At each entrance to the reserve, you’ll find stylised artworks of eels etched into the concrete. These artworks were created by Numangatini Mackenzie, a Tāmaki Makaurau based artist who was gifted the opportunity by Mana Whenua.
As you make your way through Freeland Reserve, take a moment to read the new storyboards on display. They were concepted by four students from Auckland City Education Services (ACES) and further developed through kōrero with Jeff Lee, Te Akitai Waiohua and lead designer, Hinengarangi Makoare - Artāhua.
Finally there’s the tohu – a unique symbol created to honour the relationship of Mana Whenua to the awa. The Tohu Te Auaunga was a collaboration between thirteen iwi groups and Auckland Council, designed by the Whaotapu collective. You’ll see the tohu along the length of Te Auaunga, and now it has a home here in Freeland Reserve, too.
We’d love to see you at Freeland Reserve on Saturday October 29 to help celebrate all of this wonderful mahi. There’ll be free kai, music, and fun kids activities. Come and check out all the changes – see you there!
Date: Saturday October 29 from 10am
Where: Freeland Reserve, Mt Roskill – access via Freeland Ave, Kallu Cres or Balfron Ave
