Te Hiku o Te Ika Urban Revitalisation Project

In 2020, Far North District Council (FNDC) received $7 million in COVID Response and Recovery funding to deliver urban revitalisation and infrastructure improvements across Te Hiku o Te Ika, in the Far North of New Zealand. This award-winning project had two engagement objectives:

1. Develop a sense of identity and connection within the regional towns of Kaitaia, Awanui and Ahipara, by reflecting diverse community perspectives in the design and delivery of the urban improvement projects
2. Enable at least 70% of project spend to go to local businesses, by identifying the barriers that prevented them from working with Council, and helping put practical solutions in place

The challenge

Delivering this kind of programme meant balancing two goals that don’t always sit easily together: moving fast enough to make the most of recovery funding, while making sure the work genuinely reflected what local communities and iwi wanted for their towns. It also meant tackling the practical barriers stopping local businesses from working with Council, so the investment could stay in the region rather than flow elsewhere.

Our approach

We were engaged to provide project management, facilitation, and community engagement across this large-scale urban development programme. Working closely with the Kaitaia Business Association, local communities and Te Hiku iwi, we helped identify and deliver 81 urban revitalisation, restoration and infrastructure projects across Kaitaia, Awanui and Ahipara.

Our project managers coordinated delivery to keep the works efficient, on time and within budget, while maintaining strong stakeholder collaboration throughout the programme.

Outcomes

The programme combined social procurement, iwi partnership and local workforce development with practical infrastructure delivery, creating long-term community benefits alongside the physical improvements, and strengthening local capability to support regional recovery.

• Of the project expenditure we could influence, 88% was spent in the Far North, including 47% with Māori businesses

• 45 local businesses became qualified to work with council beyond this project

• 69 people completed industry-recognised safety training, improving workplace safety, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening community resilience in the Far North

The programme delivered a range of public amenity and recreational improvements across the Far North, including:

• Ahipara pathways, car parking, seating, shade sails, and BBQ facilities

• Kaitaia town square and market square beautification

• Ahipara Domain pump track and playground

• Awanui gateway, boardwalk, and car parking upgrades

• Kaitaia River Walk shared path

• Cultural artworks and tomokanga/gateways

These projects improved the safety, accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces, while supporting stronger cultural identity and community connection.