Korikori Park artificial turf | Hamilton City Council

What we're doing

We’re building a new artificial turf sports field at Korikori Park in Rototuna. The new field will deliver a high-quality, multi-use sports field for the community, along with a smaller warm-up area. The project will include floodlighting to enable usage in winter.

Work is expected to begin on site in early 2026 and take around 5-6 months to complete.

Korikori Park was chosen as a suitable location for a football artificial turf due to several factors, including that it has the space required to accommodate the turf, is within a 30-minute drive for over half of WaiBOP Football’s members and is located in an area of the city where significant population growth is expected.

The original master plan for Korikori Park included provision for an artificial turf. The area where the turf will be located is currently an undeveloped field, meaning it will be able to be constructed without affecting other sports fields.

This project has received generous financial support from the following organisations:

WEL Energy Trust
Grassroots Trust
Waikato Bay of Plenty (WaiBOP) Football
Lottery Community Facilities
The Lion Foundation

Why we’re doing it

The city currently has a shortfall of playable hours across its sports field network due to high demand, particularly for winter codes and training/junior fields. Climatic conditions and more frequent water restrictions can exacerbate these issues.

Artificial turf offers a durable, consistent playing surface that can withstand heavy use and variable weather conditions. This means:

• more playable hours for training and games (40+ hours per week) 
• reduced cancellations due to wet weather
• lower maintenance costs compared to natural grass and sand carpet fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Hamilton City Council investing in an artificial turf?

Artificial turf sports fields provide a reliable, all-weather surface that reduces cancellations, increases playable hours, and supports the growing demand for sports fields in Hamilton. This project has received generous support from external funding organisations, with nearly two-thirds funded externally.

Who will be able to use the new turf field?

The field will be available for local sports clubs, schools, and community groups. Booking details will be provided closer to the opening date. The field will have both rugby and football (soccer) line markings on the main field.

How does artificial turf impact the environment?

The design includes stormwater management systems and utilises recyclable materials where possible. Artificial turf reduces water use compared to natural grass and minimises chemical treatments. We will be using natural plant-based infill material, whereas older style artificial turf fields used synthetic and rubber-based granules.

Will there be lighting for evening games?

Yes, energy-efficient LED lighting will be installed to allow evening use. The lighting will be available for bookings up until 9.30pm, after which the lights will be turned off. There may be some exceptions to this, for example, during high profile sporting events that take place in Hamilton.

How can I stay updated?

Updates will be posted on this page and Hamilton City Council’s social media channels. Signage will be on site and further updates will follow for those properties near the park.