Partnering with mana whenua to care for Kaipara’s green spaces

30/05/2023

Services scope
Maintaining parks, reserves, berms, cemeteries, public toilets, buildings and Dargaville Gardens including:
    • Mowing 584,953m2 sports fields, chemical and mechanical edge control 
    • Garden maintenance of 11,009m2
    • Walkway maintenance of 6,042lm
    • Cleaning and building maintenance and repairs of 30 toilet facilities and 3 Council Buildings
    • Parks and Reserve fixtures maintenance and repairs
    • Inspections, maintenance, and repairs of 17 playgrounds
    • Burials and sexton duties in 5 cemeteries
    • Litter control on all sites 

A bespoke programme
Our Greenspace Management team has developed a fit-for-purpose programme for KDC to help the organisation serve the local community. This approach means we can adapt services to seasonal changes, population growth, changing demographics, and the busy summer period.  

Downer has an established local presence in Dargaville, supported by our Whangarei depot and Auckland Head Office. Wherever possible, we employ Kaipara locals, buy materials locally and engage local subcontractors to deliver our services. 

Quality and compliance
Our quality system meets ISO 9001 and is embedded within The Downer Standard – a delivery framework to meet budget and programme requirements without compromising on quality, health and safety, or the environment. 

MS Dynamics helps us manage the programming, distribution, tracking, and reporting of routine tasks and service requests, and respond quickly to urgent or changing needs. This app provides full transparency and assurance to the Council that all work meets their specifications, minimising delays and double ups.

Iwi engagement
Mana Whenua values shape our service delivery and express Mātauranga Māori principles and solutions. We work with Mana Whenua to identify and integrate measures to restore Mauri, improve ecological outcomes, and build understanding of local climate, flora and fauna and culturally significant places.  

This stakeholder engagement approach embeds Kaupapa Māori, placing kaitiakitanga at the heart of greenspace management and promoting manaākitanga and community wellbeing. Downer is committed to improving outcomes for Māori and building relationships that express our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. We aim to be an effective, authentic partner in creating a more equitable future for Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Downer’s partnership with Te Uri o Hau and Te Roroa is based on:
• Rangatiratanga – where each party's self-determination is respected, and co-management is fundamental to service delivery • Whakawhanaungatanga – developing a relationship around shared experiences, values, economic benefits, and a common purpose 

Managing Health & Safety risks
Our Greenspace crews operate machinery in challenging environments. Where the gradient makes it safe to do so, grass is mown with a ride-on mower, while steeper sections are hand-mown or line trimmed. 

Within campgrounds, operators work with staff on-site to determine which areas can be mown safely, following strict exclusion zone guidelines during busy summer months – if a site has too many visitors, operators will return later to complete mowing safely. Operators also utilise rear discharge decks, shaped to direct stones and other debris downward. 

Growsafe accredited Spray Operators are trained to work to NZS 8409:2021 guidelines, creating well signposted safe operating exclusions zones when spraying, and recording any chemical use. 

Managing contract risks
Our maintenance programmes respond to seasonal changes, enhance the customer experience and safety, and consistently meet specifications. Task schedules are logical and efficient, drawing on extensive programming experience and horticultural knowledge, while being adaptable to the changing needs of the client. 

Outcomes 
The integrated KDC Greenspace maintenance programme delivers benefits to the local area in the form of ongoing job opportunities and ensuring that local community groups and mana whenua have a clear voice and influence on their local amenities and environmental protection.