Muaūpoko Park to reopen with whakawātea following partnership planning
Published on February 03, 2026
Muaūpoko Park, beside Lake Horowhenua Punahau, will reopen to the public following a whakawātea to be held on Waitangi Day morning, Friday 6 February. A whakawātea is a ceremony to clear or cleanse a space and will be led by Muaūpoko to mark this new chapter for the park and lake.
The reopening has been guided by the Lake Horowhenua Trust, who represent the owners of the lake and surrounding land, the Horowhenua Lake Domain Board, which oversees the public domain area and Council who provide the care and services for the park. The Board adopted a Development Plan for the wider Lake Domain in 2025, focused on protection, access and environmental wellbeing.
“The reopening of Muaūpoko Park reflects the care, patience and partnership that have gone into preparing this space for iwi and the community,” says Dr Jon Procter, Lake Horowhenua Trustee and Horowhenua Lake Domain Board member. “This is a place of deep significance to Muaūpoko and reopening it in a respectful and considered way is an important step forward.”
In recent months, the Lake Domain Board and Lake Horowhenua Trust have worked together to plan for safe public access and to support the ongoing care and restoration of the domain. Following the whakawātea, a community Waitangi Day celebration event, led by Muaūpoko will take place at 10am.
Muaūpoko Park provides a green, open space where families can connect with the lake and one another. Its reopening acknowledges both the cultural importance of the lake to Muaūpoko and the wider community’s wish to again enjoy this special area.
Horowhenua Mayor and Lake Domain Board member Bernie Wanden says, “This reopening represents the value of partnership and shared stewardship. The Lake Domain Board will continue to work alongside the Lake Horowhenua Trust and Muaūpoko to support the care, access and future of this taonga. It will be wonderful to see iwi and the public able to gather and enjoy the park once more.”