A $20 million proposal from locally owned and operated business, Golf Warehouse, looks set to provide a win-win for the community in relation to the future of the Takapuna golf course, located on the A F Thomas Park site adjacent to the northern motorway.
The proposal represents two years' work by the Faesen Kloet family, owners of the Golf Warehouse, New Zealand’s premier golf retailer and operator. They have over 30 years of expertise and 15 sites nationwide – including four automated driving ranges, two nine-hole golf courses, mini-golf facilities, and a unique adventure tourism golf hole. The business serves over 25,000 golfers weekly, totalling 1.3 million annual visits. Golf Warehouse operates New Zealand’s largest golf membership and runs high-volume, low-cost practice facilities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Being the New Zealand distributor for many of golf’s biggest brands allows Golf Warehouse access to new technology and trends.
The A F Thomas Park site – which includes the Takapuna public golf course – has a long history of both golf and flooding. Originally a low-lying flood plain and wetland, it was first converted into a golf course in 1912. In the late 1950s, when the motorway was built, the North Shore Golf Club was bought out by the North Shore City Council and relocated to Albany. Since this time, the park has remained as council-owned recreation land with various leases for golf and other recreation facilities. A fragment of the historic wetland remained in the north-east corner of the site until the 1970s, when it was incrementally drained and filled over time. There is currently a small constructed wetland in this area, and the historic wetland extent is regularly inundated during rain events.
“We are very proud to provide our proposal and a very workable solution that represents two years of work by our family and members of our Golf Warehouse team. Of course, to realise our vision, thorough site investigations still need to be undertaken to establish its viability,” said development manager Dane Faesen Kloet, when I met with him and his father, Eric, to discuss their proposal during October. “Our proposal allows for the redevelopment of A F Thomas Park alongside Healthy Waters' new permanent wetland that forms part of a master plan to manage flooding in the Wairau Valley and Milford areas.
“Our proposal involves creating a truly modern mix of golf facilities for golfers of all ages and abilities,” adds Eric, the chairman and founder of the Golf Warehouse. “Should our proposal gain the support of the community and the Kaipātiki Local Board, we will then work with Auckland Council and Healthy Waters to establish a world-class golfing and sporting facility, while allowing the very important flood prevention plan to be implemented. That plan will save lives, homes and businesses in the future.”
The Faesen Kloets say that as part of reimagining the possibilities of A F Thomas Park, their plan looks beyond a strictly golf-focused lens and includes accommodating a range of activities on the site. Their proposal includes an investment of $20 million in developing a totally new ‘inland links-type’ nine-hole community golf course; the addition of another nine-hole par three family-friendly and floodlit golf course; a new modern-style mini golf course; a new XXL putting green; a brand new 100-bay automated and high tech golf driving range – double the size of the existing 48-bay range. A new architecturally designed clubhouse will be built, featuring hospitality and golf retail. Also included is a golf training and talent development facility, along with space for Golf New Zealand – the national body, which has expressed an interest in having a base there.
Additionally, the Golf Warehouse proposal also allows for many other activities to be on the A F Thomas Park site. Eventfinda Stadium – which was badly flooded in the January floods of 2023 – would be replaced with a new stadium on a specially raised platform site. There’s a site for Auckland's first pickleball-specific indoor facility (12 courts). There is also a space for a new pump track for the youngsters. The site will continue to include the Shore Archery Club and Sunnybrae Bowling Club.
This proposal will see A F Thomas Park become a multi-sport, community-focused, and environmentally sustainable hub. Nearly 29 hectares will be allocated for recreation, resilience, and community benefit following extensive earthworks that will reshape the park’s landscape. Nearly 15 hectares (one-third of the site) will be used by Healthy Waters for permanent wetland flood storage.
The Healthy Waters project involves 600,000m³ of earthworks, raising ground levels by up to 10 metres on the existing golf course and removing most non-perimeter trees, creating a unique opportunity to redesign and reshape
the park.
“The plan we have put forward to council involved two years of consultation with stakeholders – including Eventfinda Stadium, North Harbour Basketball, North Harbour Gymnastics, Golf New Zealand, Pickleball North Harbour, Awataha Marae, The Nineteenth Group and Healthy Waters,” explains Dane.
“This proposal ticks many boxes and will provide huge benefits for the community. Our vision unites flood resilience, world-class facilities, and inclusive community spaces. At the same time, it addresses some of North Shore’s evolving recreational and environmental needs.”
Golf Warehouse estimates the golf components – including a nine-hole course, par-three course, driving range, mini golf, clubhouse, Golf New Zealand base, and practice green – will cost approximately $20 million. This will be fully funded by Golf Warehouse, with no public funds needed for the development of these golf facilities. The wider precinct development, which includes the Eventfinda Stadium redevelopment, pickleball facility, pump track, and additional parking, would be funded separately.
Eric explains that Golf Warehouse is seeking a 30-year lease with annual CPI adjustments to ensure a viable payback on their investment.
“We are proposing to lease about 60% of the current tenants' area. We guarantee higher rental returns to Auckland council, maximising value through efficient land use.
“For us, offering to make this major investment that will benefit the community goes beyond business,” adds Eric. “The North Shore is our home patch. We love it. As a family, we are keen to play our part in helping the community find an upside to these 'golf versus the flooding' problems. Being New Zealand’s premier golf retailer and practice facility operator means we are in a position to play a part in providing a solution that we believe is a win-win. We are committed to a legacy that balances sport, nature and community – a park Auckland will cherish for generations - If the public is behind this proposal, we will certainly make it happen!”
Have your say on the future recreational use of A F Thomas Park: The Kaipātiki Local Board’s public consultation is open for submissions until 23 November 2025.
akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/af-thomas-park
This proposal transforms A F Thomas Park into a world-class, inclusive and sustainable destination. Replacing an outdated facility, it delivers:
Highlights
Environmental Outcomes
