Entry received from: Taupō District Council
Category: The Department of Internal Affairs Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Te Mataapuna is a new sporting and community facility serving Tūrangi. Opened in May 2023, the facility boasts six substantial changing rooms, a separate referee’s area and a large, multi-purpose indoor space with kitchen and toilet facilities.
For many years, sports proud Tūrangi had little in the way of sporting facilities, with teams having to use inadequate or temporary facilities, making it difficult to host visiting teams and attract events.
The new facility addresses these deficiencies and provides a much-needed, bookable indoor space for up to 200 people.
The facility is run by the Te Mataapuna Sports Collective, a new entity consisting of representatives from local sporting teams and landowners Ngāti Tūrangitukua. The Collective is the result of ongoing engagement with the community and stakeholders throughout the project and provides a localised, relevant and sustainable solution.
The project is also a great example of Co-Design and Co-Governance. Working in partnership with Ngāti Tūrangitukua, sports groups and Sport Waikato, Taupō District Council has been able to build a facility that is fit for purpose and future proofed and, through the gifting of the building’s name, bespoke artwork and close community involvement, one that has mana and connects people to place.
Thank you to our category sponsor