Caring for Auckland’s parks, waterways and natural spaces is a shared responsibility. At Programmed Facility Management, we work closely with community organisations that bring local knowledge, passion and people together to help restore and maintain these important environments.
One such organisation is Te Whangai Trust, a Māori owned community trust that supports individuals facing social hardship by providing structured work opportunities, mentoring and practical skills development through environmental restoration projects.
Programmed has worked alongside Te Whangai Trust for nearly a decade. During this time, the Trust has played an important role in restoration and maintenance work across several Auckland park and stream environments.
Our relationship began following significant flooding that affected areas including Underwood Park and surrounding stream corridors. After large scale restoration planting took place, Te Whangai Trust became involved in the ongoing maintenance of these areas. When Programmed later took on responsibility for the maintenance work, we continued engaging the Trust as a subcontractor, supporting their work while ensuring the sites continued to be cared for.
Today, Te Whangai Trust undertakes maintenance work at several locations, including Walmsley Reserve, Underwood Reserve and McGehan Close Reserve. Over the past five years, restoration work in these areas has helped return sections of the landscape to more natural bush and stream ecosystems. The results have contributed to improved biodiversity, increased bird life and healthier waterways, while also enhancing the surrounding neighbourhoods.
By subcontracting specific sites to the Trust, Programmed is able to support their work while helping them continue to provide employment and development opportunities for individuals who may otherwise face barriers to entering the workforce. Through their programmes, Te Whangai Trust provides mentoring, life skills, work experience and education pathways for long-term unemployed youth and people at risk.
Alongside the subcontracted work, Programmed teams regularly support the Trust in other practical ways. For example, 15 Programmed staff volunteered their time to assist Te Whangai Trust across three different restoration sites as part of a company volunteer day. These opportunities allow our teams to work alongside the Trust, share knowledge and contribute directly to the restoration efforts taking place in local communities.
Programmed has also supported the Trust with practical resources, including providing repurposed PPE that could be cleaned and rebranded for use by their team.
Beyond this partnership, Programmed works alongside approximately 20 community groups across Auckland who are dedicated to restoring and protecting local natural spaces. One example is Friends of Oakley Creek (Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga), a volunteer network helping restore one of Auckland’s longest urban streams. Programmed supports their work by assisting with mulch supply, waste removal after planting days and coordinating maintenance activities that help volunteers focus on restoration work.
These partnerships play an important role in protecting Auckland’s natural environments. By working with organisations that understand the local landscape and communities they serve, we can help ensure restoration work is effective, sustainable and aligned with community priorities.
At Programmed, maintaining public spaces is about more than landscapes. It’s about supporting people, strengthening communities and helping create positive environmental outcomes across the region.
Together with organisations like Te Whangai Trust, we’re helping ensure Auckland’s parks, waterways and ecosystems continue to thrive.
