Results and Impact

• Population growth: From 1,000 to 7,000 residents
• Development stages: Over 30 stages completed
• Environmental protection: Integrated stormwater assets and preserved natural bushland
• Community-first design: Playgrounds, walkways, and BBQ areas enhancing liveability
• Legacy impact: Title covenants preventing overdevelopment, maintaining community values

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CivilPlan has played an instrumental role in shaping the Pokeno Village Development since its inception in 2010. What began as a visionary transformation of farmland has grown into one of the Waikato District’s most significant residential communities expanding Pokeno's population from just over 1,000 to nearly 7,000 today. With a full-service approach spanning planning, civil engineering, and surveying, CivilPlan has guided over 30 stages of development alongside DFH (Dines Fulton Hogan).

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Client Vision and Our Role

The client’s vision was clear: create a high-quality, future-proofed township that retains its rural charm and supports a thriving community. DFH wanted to focus on creating liveable, spacious neighbourhoods, not just maximising yield. CivilPlan aligned perfectly with this ethos, leveraging our integrated approach to ensure the development met planning, infrastructure, and environmental goals at every stage.

Our work began with strategic planning and structure plans, and expanded into detailed engineering design and project delivery. CivilPlan’s consistent involvement through different stages has ensured continuity and a deep understanding of the development’s goals and constraints.

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Key Challenges and Solutions

Topography and Stormwater Management
Pokeno’s hilly terrain presented stormwater design challenges from the outset. CivilPlan responded with integrated stormwater ponds and wetland solutions that now serve as ecological and community assets. These features provide effective runoff management while enhancing amenity with walkways and landscaping.

Engineering Design Innovation
In Stage 18, steep gradients required a bespoke design to provide private access to over 20 lots. CivilPlan collaborated closely with Waikato District Council to deliver a compliant, safe, and constructible solution that balanced developer needs and regulatory standards.

Stakeholder Coordination
CivilPlan acted as a mediator between the client, Council and Iwi, maintaining relationships and adapting communication strategies as council staff and expectations changed over time. This diplomacy enabled smoother project progression and resolution of consent conditions.

Sustainability and Long-Term Outcomes

Through planning controls and title covenants, DFH and CivilPlan preserved lower-density outcomes, shielding parts of Pokeno from future intensification pressures. Wetland and bush reserves have been protected and integrated into the stormwater system, promoting biodiversity and community recreation.

CivilPlan also ensured future-proofed infrastructure staging, ensuring developments could proceed efficiently, aligned with infrastructure availability.

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