Spaces and Places Strategy

The Bay of Plenty Spaces and Places Strategy (2024) provides a range of insights that will help guide the approach to regional planning for play, active recreation and sport spaces and places (facilities) across the region.

The Strategy is a collaboration between Sport Bay of Plenty, Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, Kawerau District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Tauranga City Council (including Bay Venues Ltd), Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Whakatāne District Council .

Purpose of the Spaces and Places Strategy

The Bay of Plenty region has been experiencing strong population growth over a sustained period. This growth is placing increasing pressure on spaces and places that support play, active recreation and sport across the region, and is exacerbating demand for new spaces and places. There is a clear expectation that this trend of strong population growth will continue.

At the same time, the funding of spaces and places planning and development is under increasing pressure, affecting the ability of councils and community providers to develop new spaces and places as well as maintain existing ones.

The latest iteration of the Strategy considers these challenges and changing participant needs. It also seeks to explore mana enhancing relationships with mana whenua and reflects on the role the Strategy can play in advocating for better environmental outcomes and greater inclusivity.

Within this strategic context of growth and funding restrictions, this strategy provides a high-level strategic framework to help guide councils, funders, and community organisations across the Bay of Plenty in their decision-making regarding spaces and places planning and provision.

The Strategy ensures organisations involved in play, active recreation, and sport are more informed as to the priority needs across the whole Bay of Plenty region, recognising that resources are limited and prioritisation of future investment is required.

The collaborative partners recognise the importance of the spaces and places that support play, active recreation, and sport across the region. Their vision is that the Strategy will shape an innovative network of play, recreation, and sport spaces and places to empower and uplift the Bay of Plenty community for a thriving future.

“Kia auaha te taiao, kia auaha te tangata.” - To shape the environment is to shape the people

Planning principles

When considering the upgrade or development of future spaces and places to meet play, active recreation, and sport needs it is fundamental that spaces and places are developed in a robust and planned way.

In order to achieve this, the Spaces and Places Strategy has identified a set of planning principles to ensure best practice is followed when considering the future use of our region’s spaces and places.