TECT Park wins international recognition
The people of the world have voted TECT Park as a top 10 winner in the Green Flag International People's Choice Award.
The awards see Green Flag Award winning parks from around the world entered into a people’s choice contest, and the top park from each nation claims a coveted spot in the top 10.
As the highest-voted park from Aotearoa New Zealand, TECT Park carries the mantle for New Zealand, in company with some international big hitters, including Presidio of San Francisco (USA), which was visited by 12.4 million people a year (pre-COVID).
Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says the award is well deserved, “TECT Park has only been in existence 11 years and in that time it’s won award after award. Now it sits among the world’s most loved Green Flag award winning parks. I’m thrilled to see the park and the management team’s hard work recognised.”
Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley says TECT Park’s latest recognition is simply outstanding. “This shows what three committed organisations, a great management team and the people of the Western Bay can achieve, and that’s to create a superb recreational resource and place it firmly on the world map. Congratulations go to everyone involved.”
TECT Chairperson Bill Holland says, “TECT Park is the flagship park not only of our region, but of our country and the world, and it is fantastic to see it recognised with this award. To win the People’s Choice Award for New Zealand is an astounding achievement, one that goes to show the level of time, work and funding that has gone into making it what it is today – a place everyone can come to enjoy nature and get active.
“We are incredibly proud to be a long-time supporter and key funder of the park. Congratulations to all those involved in helping make the park one of the best in the world – we’re lucky to have it right on our doorstep.”
TECT Park Manager Bill Wheeler says, “Little TECT Park is hanging around in some pretty illustrious company. We are doing well to even feature on this kind of list and that’s all down to the support of the users from all over the Bay.
“This really was the people’s choice, they have supported us and shown how much they really appreciate the work that both Councils have put into providing the Park facilities by taking time to vote. They will continue to be far stricter judges than Green Flag will ever send but they are also our greatest ambassadors.”
The top 10 status puts TECT Park on an international stage among parks from North America, Australia and Europe.
The awards were presented at a virtual ceremony on 9 February and can be watched online: https://youtu.be/kqZJAbscUUs
In New Zealand, the Green Flag Awards are bestowed annually by the New Zealand Recreation Association, on behalf of the international Green Flag organisation. The Green Flag Awards recognise excellent park management and the provision of high-quality recreational experiences. TECT Park took out a seventh internationally recognised Green Flag Award in 2022.
The 1650-hectare TECT Park in Upper Pyes Pa, is a joint venture between Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City councils. It is the base for many outdoor sports user groups and its public facilities include tracks for walking, mountain biking, equestrian and family-focused motorcycle tracks and a dedicated dog exercise area.
To find out more about TECT Park visit www.tectpark.co.nz
