Tom Grant Drive Play equipment
Matamata
What began as a consultation on the location of a swing set, up for renewal in Matamata, soon became much more. The Tom Grant Drive Committee teamed up with Council and raised funds for a larger scale playground upgrade on their street with the help of a generous donation from the Langlands family.
The playground was constructed by Playground Creations, who were kept going with regular scone deliveries from Tom Grant Drive residents, and ended up finishing a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.…
Bike racks
Matamata
In 2022 our Pride of Place team popped up all around Matamata to try and connect with people from all walks of life to understand your aspirations for your town centre. You let us know you’d like to see better walking and biking connections to the town centre, including quality bike racks in more locations. We’re pleased to deliver!
Check out the brand new bike racks freshly installed at Matamata i-SITE on Broadway, Swim Zone Matamata on Meura Street and outside the Library and Civic Centre on…
Peria Road Dog Park Upgrade
Matamata
Matamata Rotary and Peter Vossen Builders installed a stunning new weather shelter in Peria Road Dog Park allowing visitors to get out of the rain or hot sun and have a comfortable place to sit down. they also upgraded the existing gate into a double corral to enhance safety when entering or exiting the dog park. The work was undertaken by peter Vossen builders at no cost.
MPDC supported by promoting the generous donation and gave advice on regulations.
Community members have responded positiv…
Tom Grant Drive Fruit Tree Project
Te Aroha
Hinuera Te Poi Lions have donated and planted 9 hardy and healthy fruit trees along Tom Grant Drive for all to enjoy. The varieties include Feijoa, Lemon and Mandarin. The trees are monitored and maintained by Te Poi Lions
MPDC supported by granting approval to undertake a trial, advised on potential varieties for the trial, connected the group with other community groups to gain their support, created evaluation form, worked with the donors to plant the trees, assist with tree evaluation
Year…
Tom Grant Drive Playground Donation
Matamata
Tom Grant Drive Committee Received a generous donation from community members’ of $20,000 in order buy new equipment for the Tom Grant Drive Playground. They purchased two new picnic tables, a new carousel, two new rockers and safety padding. MPDC seeing their donation brought forward their planned maintenance to give the whole playground a major upgrade.
MPDC supported by granting approval to install new play equipment, advised on suitable play equipment, joined finances with our existing budg…
Sculpture Rescue
Te Aroha
The Hetana Sculpture Relocation project involved moving selected sculptures to new locations along the Hauraki Rail Trail (HRT) to enhance the trail's cultural and visual appeal. This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC), the former president of the Sculpture Symposium, and the Hauraki Rail Trail team. Together, they identified three prime spots for the relocated sculptures.
MPDC supported the project by facilitating the selection process and…
Hetana Arawa Laneway
Matamata
The Hetana - Arawa Laneway Activation project aimed to revitalise a key pedestrian route by introducing a haiku poetry mural. Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) collaborated with a local business owner who agreed to feature the mural on her building, enhancing both the aesthetic and interactive qualities of the laneway.
MPDC prioritised this project based on community feedback, recognising the laneway's significance as a vital access route. To engage the public, MPDC hosted a haiku competit…
Memory Meadow Matamata
Matamata
The Memory Meadow project is a collaborative effort to support the Cancer Society’s cause by establishing a daffodil plantation. Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) partnered with The Warehouse Matamata, Taku Wairua, local schools, and the Cancer Society to bring this initiative to life. The Cancer Society approached MPDC to host the Memory Meadow as a tribute to their work
MPDC played a crucial role in this project by finding the ideal planting site, negotiating donations, and coordinating…
Hetana Bluebells
Matamata
The Hetana Bluebells project, led by Keep Matamata Beautiful, aimed to enhance our local green spaces by planting over 8,000 bluebell bulbs under the Hetana Street Oaks.
MPDC supported promoting activity, supporting with project and horticulture advice and b providing tools, materials and MPDC Staff support.
The community's response has been very positive, with locals eagerly anticipating the burst of colour from the bluebells come spring. This successful planting not only beautifies our town…
Arawa Social Seating
Te Aroha
The Arawa Street - Social Seating project, led by Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC), is designed to invigorate an underutilised space at the corner of Arawa and Tui Streets. Funded by Transport Choice, this initiative aims to enhance the area with a vibrant and functional seating solution.
MPDC partnered with the local community group 'Menz Shed' to transform milled timber into a striking, New Zealand-shaped table, complemented by custom-painted seats. The design was thoughtfully crafted b…
Domain Fernery Project
Te Aroha
Local Resident and Native Gardening Enthusiast –Mary Hansen designed a stunning fern garden for Te Aroha Domain, the fernery replaced the abandoned aviary. Mary worked with volunteers and sponsors to procure, develop and maintain the fern garden which showcases attractive new Zealand native plants at the Mt. Te Aroha Trail head offering a well-deserved rest stop for hikers.
MPDC supported by approving Mary’s design, connecting Mary with other volunteers, connecting Mary with generous donors who…
Te Aroha Rotary Bench Seat upgrade
Te Aroha
Te Aroha Rotary approached MPDC offering to fully restore the town centres Victorian style bench seats. The seats had begun to deteriorate badly with lichen, broke boards and flaking paint. Rotary took away one bench seat at a time, repainted the steel frames, replace the timber boards and fully restored each one before placing it back in its original position.
MPDC supported creating a safety plan, sponsored the paint, timber and fasteners.
Our town centre is now more beautiful and well maint…
Te Aroha Community Led Dog Park
Te Aroha
Local resident and ‘Dog Whisperer’ –Ginny Stephens approached council to establish a community led dog park at the former grazing paddock under the railway bridge. Ginny used her own money to buy a professional ride on mower and received generous donations from AgPlus who service her equipment. Ginny has transformed a once weedy cow paddock into a stunning off lead dog park for all to enjoy. She has worked with keep Te Aroha beautiful to plant native plants on the ‘hard to mow areas’
MPDC gave…
Whitaker Street Pot Plants
Te Aroha
The Whitaker Street Pot Plant Project, by Te Aroha Rotary, successfully secured a Pride of Place Community Initiatives grant of $1,500. This funding was used to purchase elegant acacia wood pots and a selection of durable shrubs and annuals to enhance the main street’s aesthetic appeal
MPDC provided grant funding, project management and helped with the project delivery on the day
The project has been met with enthusiastic support from the community, who are thrilled with the vibrant new additi…
Stanley Ave Centenary Planting
Te Aroha
The Stanley Ave Centenary Planting project, led by Keep Te Aroha Beautiful, marked a special milestone by planting five new copper beech trees to celebrate the 100th anniversary of tree planting on Stanley Avenue. This commemorative effort aimed to honour a century of green space enhancement in the area.
MPDC provided vital support by supplying tools and materials, developing a safety plan, and assisting on the planting day.
The new trees not only add beauty to Stanley Avenue but also serve as…
Te Aroha Domain Restoration
Te Aroha
The Domain Restoration Projects focus on enhancing Te Aroha Domain by planting native vegetation in key areas. This series of efforts, led by Manukora and Keep Te Aroha Beautiful, aims to beautify the park and restore its natural environment
Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) has played a crucial supportive role by providing labour, funding, and project management. Additionally, MPDC has assisted with promoting the project to raise community awareness and engagement.
The restoration work h…
PoP up Pickleball
Te Aroha
The Pop Up Pickleball project aimed to introduce and promote pickleball, New Zealand's fastest-growing sport, which is accessible and enjoyable for all ages. Aroha Pickleball successfully applied for Pride of Place grant funding to test a three-month free pickleball club at the underused court in Te Aroha Domain
MPDC supported with grant funding and promotion.
The initiative has been met with enthusiastic community feedback, showcasing pickleball's appeal and potential to engage a broad audien…
Railway Park Development
Te Aroha
The Rail Park Redevelopment project, led by two dedicated neighbours who adopted the railway park between Ema and Burgess Streets, has successfully transformed an overgrown section of the rail trail into a vibrant and stunning park. Partnering with Hauraki Rail Trail and Manukora, they gained permission and support to develop the site, planting numerous flowering trees and shrubs to revitalise the area
Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) has played a supportive role by providing plants, prom…
Morrinsville Seed Library
Morrinsville
Local food resilience and garden enthusiasts created a seed library in Morrinsville where people can donate saved seeds form their gardens and ‘check out’ seed they might like try growing at home. The project aims to preserve heritage and rare food plant seeds, but is open to storing flower seed and welcomes all types of growers and gardeners to join in. the seed library is located in Morrinsville library.
MPDC facilitated a design session for community members to put their ideas together, prov…
Memory Meadow Morrinsville
Morrinsville
The Cancer Society approached MPDC to establish a ‘Memory Meadow’ plantation in its towns. Taku Wairua offered to plant 160 daffodil bulbs at Allen Street Reserve Morrinsville. Each spring there will be a stunning display of daffodils The Cancer Society hope that people might consider supporting the cancer society’s daffodil day fund raising efforts.
MPDC worked with businesses to raise donated daffodil bulbs, mpdc worked with Taku Wairua to plant the bulbs.
Morrinsville Skate Bowl Revival
Morrinsville
The Morrinsville Skate Bowl Re-imagined project, led by Morrinsville Extreme Sports, is set to bring new life to the skate bowl through a creative community-driven initiative. The project includes a design competition inviting local residents to submit their artwork for a mural to be painted inside the skate bowl. The winning design will not only be professionally painted but also earn the designer a new BMX bike.
Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) has supported the project with grant fundi…
The Brownies Fairy Garden Project
Matamata
The Matamata Brownies built ten miniature fairy gardens and placed them throughout Centennial Drive Park to create a free, family-friendly, outdoor experience for all to enjoy during the summer months. Locals and visitors alike were able to find their way to the fairy gardens through clues on Facebook and the Matamata Scene Newspaper. The Brownies (aged 7-9 years old) took on the responsibility of maintaining the fairy gardens during the initiative, fostering a sense of ownership and accountabil…
Te Aroha Domain gets Permanent Pickleball Lines
Te Aroha
In May 2024, local community member Katrina Sweetman introduced a successful pickleball pop-up at the Te Aroha Domain courts, supported by a Community-Led Initiatives Grant from Matamata Piako District Council. The pop-up was so popular that Katrina took pickleball indoors to Silver Fern Farms Event Centre over winter. As warmer weather approached, demand surged for outdoor play, but the reliance on chalk for court lines proved weather-dependent and time-consuming. A permanent solution was neede…
A Local Conservation Effort
Te Aroha
Alongside Ngāti Tumutumu Trust and the Department of Conservation (DoC), our Community Development and Partnerships team worked with the community to host the free event, "Pests, Predators, and Protectors: A Local Conservation Effort" on 20 March at Te Aroha Domain Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of Te Aroha Maunga, the event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and to encourage community involvement in local conservation efforts.
Our team worked to sec…
Serving Up Fun: Pickleball Takes Off in Matamata
Matamata
Matamata Pickleball officially launched in February this year at the covered courts at Matamata Primary School, thanks to the efforts of local community member Carol MacLeod and her team of supporters. The launch event was a fun evening filled with activity and laughter, drawing over 40 participants of all age - highlighting the district’s growing enthusiasm for the sport. The goal of the project was to create a welcoming, inclusive space where anyone in the community could try pickleball for…
Whānau, Wellbeing, and Whanaungatanga
Waharoa
In December 2024, Te Hauora o Ngāti Hauā hosted “Christmas at the Hauora” in Waharoa — a vibrant community wellness event aimed at promoting health and connection through kaupapa Māori values. This free expo welcomed hundreds of people, offering health checks, immunisations, and direct access to over 20 hauora-focused organisations. The initiative was created to support community wellbeing over the summer, particularly among tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau.
Our Community Partnerships and…
