This case study explores CivilPlan’s evolving role in delivering Park Green - capturing the technical expertise, collaborative mindset and forward-thinking strategies that have helped bring this master planned community to life.

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A Role that Evolved with the Vision

CivilPlan’s involvement with Park Green dates back to the early stages of urban zoning. Initially approached in 2017 to assist with the development of a single block, the CivilPlan team quickly recognised the need for a more strategic, holistic approach. Working alongside urban designers, they led a master planning process across all 97 hectares of Hugh Green’s landholdings. An early pivot that would prove crucial to the project’s success.

This work set the stage for rolling out earthworks, subdivision, and resource consents with greater clarity and alignment. Over time, CivilPlan’s role expanded to include planning, engineering, consenting, environmental strategy, and project advisory, acting as both a technical provider and trusted strategic partner.

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Master Planning with Complexity in Mind

Park Green stands apart from other projects due to its scale, longevity, and sheer complexity. With layers of infrastructure (including National Grid power lines, high-pressure pipelines, and a bordering motorway), combined with environmental constraints like wetlands, floodplains and a coastal edge, the site required ingenuity and perseverance.

Approximately 13 hectares of the site was identified as wetlands posing a challenge in balancing residential development expectations with environmental responsibilities. CivilPlan worked closely with ecologists to assess and categorise these wetlands. High-value areas were preserved and enhanced, offsetting impacts to low-value, less viable portions, resulting in a design that respects the natural landscape without compromising development potential.

This environmental responsiveness is now embedded in the Park Green identity, with green space, coastal pathways, and restored wetlands playing an active role in the community experience.

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Integrated Delivery, Tangible Benefits

The integrated, multi-disciplinary structure at CivilPlan has been a cornerstone of Park Green’s delivery. With planning, surveying, engineering, and project management all under one roof, the team has been able to quickly collaborate, problem-solve, and adapt in real time.
“A lot of our efficiency has come from being able to walk down the hall and have a conversation,” said Aaron Grey, Associate and Senior Planner. “That casual connectivity means you can spot issues early, fix things as you go, and get back to the client with solutions - without waiting weeks for a meeting with external parties.”

This in-house model has led to significant time savings, streamlined communication, and a greater level of design cohesion. It’s not just internal synergy that’s benefited either. External collaboration with Hugh Green, high end group house builders, Council stakeholders and other partners has matured into a trusted and effective working relationship.

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Community Impact and Urban Legacy

From the outset, Park Green was envisioned as more than a subdivision. It’s masterplan includes a future primary school (developed with the Ministry of Education), a neighbourhood centre, a diversity of housing typologies, and over 8km of walking and cycling routes that connect residents with nature and each other.

“Park Green is delivering a neighbourhood, not just lots,” said Aaron. “The focus on integrating the coast and wetlands, coupled with the variety in housing and commitment to quality is setting a standard for what Greenfield development in Auckland can look like.”

For CivilPlan, the project also represents a milestone in its growth journey from early establishment through to its current standing as a leading mid-sized consultancy. Park Green has been both a proving ground and a showcase.

“It’s been a defining project for us,” Aaron reflected. “Not only has it helped grow our team’s capability, it’s helped us demonstrate to clients that we can deliver large, complex developments while still providing the same care and detail that we bring to our smallest jobs.”

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Learnings, Growth, and Looking Ahead

CivilPlan has gained invaluable experience that is now being applied to future projects. Managing multidisciplinary coordination, to navigating complex planning legislation, to anticipating client and regulatory expectations.

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If Aaron Grey had to summarise CivilPlan’s role in Park Green in one word?

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“Collaborative.”

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That partnership, responsiveness, and shared ambition has not only shaped Park Green, but CivilPlan itself. Now CivilPlan looks forward to applying all their team’s experience to the next Greenfields project - Redhills.

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https://parkgreen.co.nz/

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