Pukekura Park curator hands the flag to new leader
After 12 years in charge, the curator of New Plymouth’s premier park is moving on.
Chris Connolly has been in charge of Pukekura Park since 2006 and is now retiring, after a ‘‘fantastic’’ stint.
‘‘New Plymouth’s founders had great foresight to create such a fantastic and lasting asset back in 1876. It’s nationally significant,’’ Connolly said.
He said it had been an ‘‘absolute privilege’’ to look after the park.
During his time he has overseen the upgrading of the Queen Elizabeth II fountain, a new lookout platform over the main lake and new playground, a pest management programme and upgrading the fernery and display houses.
Under Connolly’s leadership the park also won the international Green Flag award for six years running, a measure of the world’s top parks and green spaces.
He had previously worked as a teacher in Auckland, parks worker at Gore Borough Council, parks supervisor at Manukau City Council, and Parkscape Services Manager at NPDC.
Married with three sons and two grandchildren, Connolly said he was looking forward to more time with his family and at his favourite surf breaks.
New Zealand ex-pat Kristian Davies will take over the reins this month after returning from 15 years in London running his own landscaping business.
He previously worked at the Auckland regional botanic gardens, where he developed an expertise in camellias, magnolias and Asiatic plants.
‘‘I love the history of Pukekura Park,’’ Davies said.
‘‘It’s a fantastic conservation asset and seed bank. I’ll be looking to carry on the vision and keep the Green Flag flying.’’
Council chief operating officer Kelvin Wright said they would like to thank Connolly for the great job he had done looking after and improving Pukekura Park.