09/12/2025
Change has been taking place in Auckland’s largest suburb lately as the transformation of Old Papatoetoe takes shape through the Auckland Urban Development Office's "Unlock Papatoetoe" regeneration programme. At the heart of this renewal is Stadium Reserve, a once underutilised site reimagined as a welcoming community destination for play, recreation, and gathering.
Guided by the mana whenua narrative, The Mists of Kohuora, the design of the new play space draws inspiration from Auckland’s volcanic heritage. The resulting play landscape is rich in texture and movement, shaped by undulating landforms, sculptural mounds, and cushion-fall surfacing reminiscent of volcanic flows.
Working closely with the Bespoke Landscape Architects team, Playground Creations supplied and installed the majority of play equipment, helping to bring open-ended imaginative play to this community play space in Stadium Reserve.
Project: Papatoetoe Stadium Reserve
Client: Auckland Urban Development Office
Design Lead: Bespoke Landscape Architects
👉 https://www.playgroundcreations.co.nz/papatoetoe-stadium-reserve/
Your Project. Our Passion. Let’s play!
The Team: Auckland Urban Development Office, Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Bespoke Landscape Architects, Playground Creations, DHC - Structural - Civil, HD Geo, LCE, Arb-Eco, Playtop NZ, Playsafe, Playground Centre, JFC Ltd, Bluewater Project Management