Auckland Surf Park

Auckland Surf Park

Auckland Surf Park
Location	Auckland, New Zealand
Coordinates	36.65643°S 174.64177°E / -36.65643; 174.64177
Status	Planned
Opens	Late 2026 (2026) - Early 2027 (2027)
Owner	Aventuur
Area	43 hectares (110 acres)

Auckland Surf Park is a proposed heated artificial surfing lagoon.[1] In 2023, it was decided that the park would be located in Dairy Flat,[2] several kilometres west of the Hibiscus Coast in north Auckland. Once completed, it will be the world's first heated artificial surfing lagoon.[3]

History

In late 2020, the surf park was first announced[4] following the announcement of Swell Planet, another surf park also set to be located in north Auckland.[5]

In May 2023, it was the intention for Auckland Surf Park to become the world's first heated surfing wave pool was announced, along with the park's location.[3] Later in the year, it was revealed that the park had entered into final resource consenting[2] with the Environmental Protection Authority.[6]

The park is expected to open sometime in late 2026 - early 2027,[7] with between 12 and 18 months required to construct.[4]

Lagoon

At the centre of the surf park is a 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres) Wavegarden Cove artificial surfing lagoon.[4] The lagoon is set to be heated to allow for year-round operation.[8]

Amenities

The development is set to include accommodation of approximately 90 individual cabins, and a 50-room lodge.[9] Additionally, it is set to include a cafe, kiosk, farm-to-table restaurant, surf club, hiring and coaching facilities.[9]

Environmental Conservation

The development will also include a data centre,[6] and a 5-8 MW solar farm covering 8 hectares (20 acres)[10] to help power the development and data centre. With the target of achieving a Green Star rating from the NZGBC,[11] excess heat is set to be captured from the data centre and used to warm the surfing lagoon.[7]

References

1. Johnstone, Duncan (2 November 2020). "State-of-the-art wave pool plan for New Zealand surfers". Stuff. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
2. Reive, Christopher (10 November 2023). "Auckland Surf Park timeline revealed as project enters final consenting stage". NZ Herald. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
3. "Sir John Kirwan's Auckland project boasts world first heated surfing wave pool". Stuff. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
4. Reive, Christopher (3 November 2020). "1000 waves an hour: Wave park coming to New Zealand". NZ Herald. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
5. Thomas, Jackson (13 March 2020). "Swell Planet: Multi-million dollar surf park planned for Auckland in 2021". Stuff. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
6. "Auckland Surf Park Community". Environmental Protection Authority. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
7. Reive, Christopher (17 November 2023). "Proposed surf park estimated to bring $600m boost for Auckland". NZ Herald. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
8. "Dairy Flat Surf Park plans surging forward". Hibiscus Matters. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
9. "Auckland Surf Park | Resource Consent Design Statement" (PDF). Environmental Protection Authority. Warren and Mahoney Architects Ltd. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
10. "Appendix 26 ASP Solar Farm Specifications" (PDF). Environmental Protection Authority. Lightyears Solar. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
11. "Auckland wave pool shares more sustainability details, enters final consenting stage". Wave Pool Magazine - For your curiosity and stoke. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.