Takapuna Golf Course Swings for 12-Hole Compromise to Save North Shore Site

The future of golf at AF Thomas Park hangs in the balance as Takapuna Golf Course launches a final proposal to keep the sport alive. With Auckland Council set to make a definitive decision next Wednesday, the course has unveiled a plan for New Zealand’s first purpose-designed 12-hole urban golf course.

The move comes as the council progresses with a redevelopment project to convert roughly one-third of the park into a permanent wetland to mitigate severe flooding in the Wairau area.

A New Vision for AF Thomas Park

Initially, the golf course advocated for retaining all 18 holes by integrating small stormwater ponds. After the council deemed that unfeasible, the club pivoted to a “meaningful” middle ground.

The new 12-hole proposal aims to:

• Retain key facilities: Maintain the existing driving range and café bar.
• Boost capacity: Allow for more tee-off times than a standard 9-hole layout.
• Enhance public access: Include new walkways and open green spaces for non-golfers.
• Address infrastructure: Relocate Eventfinda Stadium to a raised platform to avoid flood damage.

“Takapuna is the place where everyday Kiwis come to play golf,” says Head Greenskeeper Steve Dowd. “It’s tradies on a Friday, beginners learning the game, kids and teenagers after school… This isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about making sure everyone from golfers to families out for a walk can enjoy this amazing space.”

Community and Council Pressure

The debate over the park’s footprint has drawn significant public interest. A “Have Your Say” survey received over 5,300 submissions, with 70% of respondents supporting the retention of golf in some capacity. High-profile supporters, including Hall of Fame golfer Dame Lydia Ko, have previously backed petitions to save the course.

Despite this, the council remains focused on its primary objective: “saving lives, protecting homes and businesses, and strengthening the city against flood risk.”

Competing Proposals

The Kaipātiki Local Board is weighing the 12-hole plan against other visions, including:

• The Golf Warehouse Proposal: A $20 million redevelopment featuring a 9-hole course, mini-golf, pickleball courts, and a pump track.
• Auckland Council’s Base Plan: A reduction to a 9-hole course to maximize floodwater catchment.

The 12-Hole Strategy

Dowd notes that the 12-hole format is a growing trend in Europe and the United States, offering a more flexible experience than a 9-hole course.

“It just gives us a more meaningful round of golf. We can play two sixes, which you can associate with playing two nines,” Dowd told Checkpoint. “It lets us operate and then we can continue to provide more affordable golf to as many Kiwis as we can.”

The golf course management estimates they would need approximately 22 hectares of the remaining land to make the 12-hole design viable, only two to three hectares more than the council’s current allocation for recreation.

What’s Next?

The Kaipātiki Local Board will meet next Wednesday to decide whether golf stays or goes, and in what form. If a plan is approved, detailed designs and a business case will be finalized in 2026, with construction on the wetland and park redevelopment expected to begin in 2027.

“We know change is coming,” Dowd admitted. “This plan helps us support our community, keep golf affordable, and contribute to the wider solution for the area.”