Auckland Town Hall going green to honour parks workers
Auckland Town Hall will be bathed in green light every night until Tuesday 30 June to honour parks workers who have been part of the essential workforce during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Park services workers were amazing during the lockdown and this is a great opportunity to say thank you for all their hard mahi (work),” said Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee.
“Their work meant Aucklanders could use local parks to stay physically and mentally healthy with whanau and aiga (family) and their pets.”
Head of Parks Services Mark Bowater agrees.
“Being part of an international move to recognise those workers is a real honour given how important our parks and green spaces are to the Tāmaki Makaurau region.
“Not only were our parks services team busy maintaining parks, they were also key in ensuring notices were put up when playgrounds and facilities were closed during the lockdown and when they re-opened.”
The Going Green for Parks initiative originated in New York City last month and has been adopted by cities around the world, including London and Sydney.
To be part of the international Going Green initiative, people are encouraged to wear green on Tuesday and can share photos, thanks and experiences on social media using the hashtags #GoingGreenForParks or #GoingGreenForParkies.