March 2025

Stables built.

December 2024

Certificate of Public Use issued. Making progress on all those little things… Flooring, Blinds, Internet, Furnature, etc.

June 2024

Karakia

After 2 years since breaking ground, we held a blessing for our new facility, carried out by our local kaumatua and friend Papa Fred Holloway.

April 2024

We are very grateful to these kind volunteers. One group came on a Saturday to put the kitchen together and another group varnished the arena barrier.

March 2024

- Roof vents going up,

- Interior being painted,

- behind the building some old trees are being removed as they have become a danger in stormy weather.

December 2023

- Almost fully closed in now. Interior framing for rooms underway.

August 2023

- Concrete slab and structural framing for ancilliary rooms and horse stalls.

April 2023

- Roof is up!

January 2023

- Roofing and insulation (first half).

November 2022

- Portal structure going up.

October 2022

- Steel delivered.

September 2022 - Foundation plate installed, reinforcing underway.

Next step will be pouring concrete foundation.

July 2022 - Arena base layer

Limerock stabilization for the arena base completed. Access metalled. Steel for foundations delivered.

April 2022 - Earthworks have begun

Silt fencing installed.

Council inspection - tick.

Old shed demolished.

Topsoil being skimmed off and stockpiled.

March 2022 - Getting the Go-ahead

Building Consent for stage 2 has been approved.

Received grants from the Lotteries Community Facilities Fund, The Trusts Community Foundation, and the Lazarus Trust, bringing the total of funds raised to date to over 1 million dollars.

Earthworks are set to begin in late March.

October 2021 - Building Consent Application Lodged for Stage 2

Due to the current Covid climate and challenges this presents, we have decided to stage the build as follows:
Stage 1 - Design engineering documentation and building consent application. COMPLETE.
Stage 2 - Earthworks, foundations, framing, roof, end walls, lockable garage at rear and covered riding arena surface to allow use. Estimated cost $1,500,000 incl. contingency.
Stage 3 - Covered Stalls and secure storage.
Stage 4 - Ancillary rooms – seminar room, kitchen, office, therapy room, toilets, viewing platform.
Stage 5 Landscaping, driveway and carpark.

June 2021 - Building Contractor Appointed

We have appointed Andrew Boyd of Coresteel Rodney as our main contractor, and his team are in the process preparing detailed drawings for our Building Consent Application. Take a look at their website here.

We feel very fortunate to have Andrew and his team on board. Not only do they have a high quality steel structural system which is both adaptable and affordable, they also have many years experience, a wonderful team of builders, and a personalised and supportive approach.

March 2021 - Concept Plan Revision

We have revised our concept plan in response to two factors. One being a reduction of funding availability due to Covid and all it’s trickle down effects on the economy, and the other being further information arising from surveying, which showed a need for slight repositioning onsite to ensure correct distances from riparian margins. Our architect Tony Bouwmeester has worked hard to redesign the concept plan, reducing the overall size with minimal compromise to functionality. We now have concept plans to build a 60 metre by 26 metre covered riding arena with all our essential facilities attached. We have had a revised Quantity Surveyor's report from Hampton Jones, and have $820K raised and pledged to date.

Feb 2021 - Project Manager Appointed

We have appointed Brett Archer of Green Zebra as our project manager. Brett has an understanding and huge respect for the work of RDA, as his daughter Katie rode with Auckland Central RDA. He has extensive experience in Project Management, including community and school projects, as well as a background in Landscape Architecture. Brett has settled into the role quickly and has a practical and collaborative approach.

June 2020 - Resource Consent

We have fabulous news! We are one step closer to getting a covered riding arena built for West Auckland Riding for the Disabled. We have been granted Resource Consent for the facility by Auckland Council. The Resource Consent process has taken 12 months.

Great care has been taken in our plans to ensure neighbours and the surrounding community will not be adversely affected.

It was wonderful to have had the assistance of a number of very skilled and community minded professionals throughout the process. And…. if there are any more of you out there who can lend us a hand with the fundraising and building process going forward, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

January 2020 - MoU

With the new lease coming into effect on 1 February 2020, West Auckland RDA and Henderson Valley Pony Club today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for sharing spaces and facilities at Henderson Valley Park.

The new lease will enable RDA to apply for funding for a covered riding facility. This Transitional MoU sets out shared usage of the grounds and facilities for the transitional period from 1st February until the covered riding facility is completed.

There are no major changes to the two groups’ current operations.

May 2019 - Agreement to Lease

We have some fantastic news! On 8 May 2019 we received our signed copy of the Agreement to Lease for Development from Auckland Council, for the South-west side of the Henderson Valley Equestrian Park, to come into effect upon the relinquishment or termination of the current lease to Henderson Valley Pony Club. Having this lease enables us to really progress our plans for the Covered Riding Facility.

Next steps are to submit our Resource Consent application and progress fundraising activities. We are hugely grateful to everyone who is getting behind this project with us.

December 2018 - Concept Plans and Lease Talks

This year we have made a huge step toward gaining a lease on some of the land at Henderson Valley Park to enable us to build a long awaited for Covered Riding Facility. We have been working closely with Auckland Council, the Henderson Massey Local Board and Henderson Valley Pony Club to achieve this and it seems now to be in our reach as the final lease papers are being drawn up by the legal beagles at Auckland Council.

We have well-developed concept plans for the building and are busy getting ready for the Resource Consent process whilst also talking to appropriate funding organisations.

June 2016 - A new way forward

New discussions are held between Henderson RDA and Henderson Valley Pony Club regarding splitting the lease at Henderson Valley Reserve to enable HRDA to remain there where we have been providing services for 40 years.

Having only the outdoor grounds at Henderson Valley Pony Club, has meant operating at the mercy of the weather, which means frequent cancellation of sessions. However a new lease arrangement will enable HRDA to build the much needed indoor facilities.

Feb 2016 - MPC withdraws from SREC proposal

Sadly, Massey Pony Club did not reach a consensus to support a lease change which would accommodate RDA facilities, services and grazing on their site. HRDA is back to searching for a place where we can build our much needed facilities.

Dec 2015 - SREC Feasibility Study

Completed in December, this feasibility study reflects many months of collaborative work, and sets out concept, site use, governance and framework for the proposed SREC (Sub Regional Equestrian Centre) at Te Rangi Hiroa Reserve, Glen Road in Massey.

June 2013 - Massey Pony Club

HMLB suggest HRDA shift to the site of Massey Pony Club, where there is an ideal site for a covered arena building to be built.

A planning committee has been formed to plan the creation of a Sub Regional Equestrian Centre (SREC) in Massey.

January 2013 - Proposal “Moving Forward”

HRDA present to Henderson Massey Local Board, and to HVPC Committee, a proposal of splitting lease in two and working side by side with a Memorandum of Understanding to share the total land and facilities. This proposal has been rejected by HVPC committee. HRDA continue in their search for options.

August 2012 - Feasibility Study

Feasibility Study completed by independent consultants, Visitor Solutions, identifies a need for growth in RDA services in West Auckland, and a need for a covered riding facility to enable HRDA to increase the quantity, and range of services they can offer.

Key findings:

• Projected future demand for HRDA services at the site sees a trebling in numbers from (currently) at around 40 riders to 120 or more.

• The NZ Green Paper for Vulnerable Children identifies that 10% of the population aged under 15 have some form of disability. Should the projected West Auckland population growth of 28% be achieved by 2031 there could be a potential population of 6,758 children locally who could likely benefit from using HRDA services.

• Current efforts are best focused around delivering an optimal use of the current site. This is likely to be in the interest of both HRDA and HVPC given the planned review of the whole equestrian park network.

The Feasibility Study recommends that HRDA remain at Henderson Valley Park and approaches HVPC and Council again to obtain a more formal agreement (such as a sub-lease or new lease) to assist the development of the covered arena, and fulfil the grazing requirements that an expanded HRDA operation will require.

June 2009 - Plans on hold

Following a neighbour consultation process and meetings with Council Infrastructure and Works Committee, approval was not given for the proposed cover over the existing arena. An alternative site must be sought.

Back to the drawing board . . .

Aug 2007 - Plans to Cover Existing Arena

HRDA and HVPC have agreed to go ahead with a new structure over the existing 60m x 20m arena. HVPC & HRDA have had two meetings with an architect to discuss and finalise the arena proposal. The location and size, building design and covered walkway have been agreed. HRDA will manage the implementation of the project.

Project drawn up by HRDA and application submitted to WCC Parks for approval.