People power triumphs in a community garden

Locals in Beachhaven on Auckland's North Shore started the transformation process of a derelict post office site in the heart of the seaside suburb. Residents began using the space, playing and planting there.  The Auckland council saw this and went on to develop the site - creating the Opaketai Community Garden, a thoughtfully designed, flexible community space.   Opaketai features a nautical themed playground, a performance stage, boardwalks, five carved Tawhiri-Matea Pou, seating and a noticeboard. The development is another of the winners in the 2017 Resene NZILA Pride of Place awards.  See Esther Hjelmstrom from Auckland Council speak about what the project means to her.