Set alongside an ecologically significant podocarp forest, the project required a sensitive, environmentally responsive approach. Protecting the established kahikatea grove was central to the design, with planting strategies used to strengthen biodiversity and reinforce the reserve’s natural character.

Collaboration with Tasman District Council, Ngāti Kuia, the Wakefield Community Council, and local advocates ensured the space reflects the values of whanaungatanga and community pride. Stage 1 opened in October 2024, with subsequent stages underway.

Today, Faulkner Bush is a place where tamariki can let their imaginations run free and where families gather in a landscape rich with history, identity, and ecological care.