Growing and enhancing our open spaces for future generations
Consultation has concluded
In November 2021 we consulted on our Draft Toitū Kāpiti - Open Space Strategy. Submissions closed on 19 November 2021.
We are now reviewing feedback and refined and finalising the strategy, this is due to be completed in March 2022.
We know our natural environment and sense of space is one of the things people love about living in Kāpiti. Whether it’s playing Saturday sports, walking along a river track or visiting a playground, our network of open spaces provide places to exercise, educate, be with family or seek solace and reconnect with our environment.
The provision and enhancement of these spaces are guided by our Open Space Strategy, which is designed to safeguard and guide the provision of open space - to make sure we have the right spaces in the right places.
The current strategy has been in place since 2012. Since then Kāpiti has seen significant changes and the issues we need to address, like growth and climate change, have become more pressing.
Working with iwi, stakeholders and partners we’ve reviewed the strategy and now would like public feedback on an updated version.
The updated strategy outlines a vision for a diverse and cohesive network that supports the connection of the community to the environment and enhances the mauri or essential vitality of both.
Its priorities include:
continuing the protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment;
providing diverse open space types to support a good quality of life for everyone and build community resilience; and
designing and developing a connected network that enhances the use and visitor experience for all ages, ethnicities and abilities.
As our communities grow and change our open spaces play a really important role in community wellbeing.
The role our open space will play in future to balance urban development with natural areas and in supporting resilience and our climate change response is also fundamentally important.