About Us

FRIENDS OF REGIONAL PARKS (AUCKLAND) INCORPORATED

registered charity

Committee Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month Akl Central Library.

The purpose of the Friends of Regional Parks is to work alongside Auckland Council, and volunteer groups in the parks, as supporters and guardians of the Regional Parks network, providing vision and education, continuity, protection and a citizens voice for the Regional Parks.


The Society was created in response to the formation of the Auckland Council, and the demise of the Auckland Regional Council that had formerly created and cared for the regional parks network.

Its members comprise individuals, regional park user groups and volunteers, committed to the protection and enhancement of the city’s regional parks for the enjoyment of current residents and future generations.

FORParks Committee

Patron: Bill Burrell QSM

Chair: Bronwen Turner

Deputy Chair: Dr Rob Mitchell

Treasurer: Ralph Lyon

  • Kit Howden

  • Fiona Ryder

  • Bruce Tubb

  • Dr Nick Waipara

  • Robert Woolf


Milestones

2010 Formation of Friends of Regional Parks NZBN: 9429043235735

2018 Creation of the Legacy Fund.

2020 Registered as a Charity 21/2/2020 #CC57573

Background

In 2010 The Auckland Council was formed incorporating the cities of Auckland, Manukau, Northshore, Papakura, Rodney, Waitakere and the Auckland Regional Council. Bounded the Hauraki Gulf in the east and the Tasman Sea in the west, the city extends from Warkworth in the north to Pukekohe in the south

Auckland has a magnificent network of regional parks with their origins some 125 years ago. Much of the network was developed by the Auckland Regional Authority between 1965 and 2010. Today, New Zealand’s “supercity” has 28 regional parks managed by Auckland Council covering more than 45,000 hectares, embracing coastal beaches, cliffs, dunes and wetland, indigenous forest and farmland.

These are prized for their recreation and their conservation values and are important contributor to Aucklanders’ lifestyle.

Auckland is the nation’s largest population centre and driver of the country’s economy. It is estimated that the city’s current population of some 1.7 million could increase by more than 50% by the year 2050.

The city’s regional parks are a vital part of the city’s recreation and conservation infrastructure and must be developed to provide for the city’s growing needs. These assets are managed under the 2010 Regional Park Management Plan which is being reviewed into the period 2020-2022.

Our Objectives

  • Promotes and supports the Auckland Regional Parks as places for enjoyment of recreation, heritage appreciation, biodiversity and conservation.

  • Help protect the Regional Parks’ diverse natural landscapes, forests and coastlines. Promotes development of the Regional Park network by Auckland Council to complement Auckland’s growth

  • Undertakes special projects to develop the Regional Parks.

  • Supports other Friends groups, volunteer groups and other organizations associated with Auckland’s Regional Parks.