Golf - Thomas Park Takapuna Bites the Dust

“Auckland public golf course, Thomas Park, gone.” Disappointed golfers everywhere.

Thomas Park Golf Course Takapuna

Thomas Park & Chamberlain Park

These two public golf courses are owned by Auckland City Council; both are extremely popular with Aucklanders and visitors to the city.  My brother and I have played both courses many times. Now only Chamberlain Park will remain as a full 18-hole course. It is possible a 9-hole course will be available at Thomas Park. However, there is no guarantee of a 9-hole course, as the council have made clear that it is not in their priority.

⛳ Thomas Park Golf Course sacrificed for Flood Mitigation in Takapuna

Thomas Park running along-side the Northern Motorway has served as a recreational haven for generations of Aucklanders. Known for its accessibility, walkability, and welcoming atmosphere, the course is more than just a place to play—it’s a green lung in the heart of the North Shore. This green lung also serves as a sizeable collection bowl for flood mitigation. Climate change is responsible for the death of this popular public course.

🌧️ A New Purpose: Flood Mitigation

In response to the devastating 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, the Auckland City Council launched the “Making Space for Water” programme — a 10-year flood resilience initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable communities. The Wairau catchment, which includes Takapuna, Milford, and surrounding suburbs, was among the hardest hit. Two lives were lost — one in a flooded culvert, another in a submerged car park — and hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged.

As part of this programme, the Council identified Thomas Park as a critical site for flood mitigation. The proposal would see part of the golf course transformed into a stormwater detention area — a “blue green” space that combines flood protection with recreational use. According to the Council’s feasibility study, this adaptation could:

• Reduce flood risk to over 250 homes and three residential care facilities in Milford

• Protect key infrastructure, including North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools

• Enable broader flood resilience works across the Wairau Valley

  
  

🗣️ Community Pushback

However, the proposal has sparked significant public backlash. Golfers, local residents, and community groups argue that the Council’s plan overlooks the social and recreational value of the course. For many, Thomas Park is not just a golf facility—it’s a community hub, a place for casual walkers, learners, retirees, and families to connect with nature and each other.

Critics also question whether the Council has fully explored alternative flood solutions that wouldn’t require sacrificing such a well-used public space. Some see the move as part of a broader trend of undervaluing recreational land in favour of infrastructure projects.

🌓 A Compromise: The Nine-Hole Option

In light of the opposition, a compromise has emerged: retain a nine-hole course while still adapting parts of the land for flood management. This hybrid model would preserve the essence of Thomas Park’s community function while contributing to the city’s climate adaptation goals.

Supporters of this approach argue it’s a win-win—maintaining public access to golf and green space while meeting environmental needs. It would also align with global trends in urban design, where multifunctional landscapes serve both recreational and ecological purposes.

🏌️ What’s at Stake

The debate over Thomas Park is about more than just golf. It’s a test case for how Auckland balances environmental resilience to climate change with community wellbeing. As the city grows and the climate shifts, decisions like this will shape not just the landscape, but the kind of city Aucklanders want to live in.

Whether Thomas Park remains a full course, becomes a hybrid space, or is transformed entirely, one thing is clear: its value goes far beyond the fairway.