Mō Mātou
About us
Whether meetings are your bread and butter, or this is the first event you've organised, our dedicated team is here to help. Decades of industry experience and local knowledge ensure you're in expert hands.
Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub is owned by the Upper Hutt City Council and managed through Te Aka o te Kupenga, a council-controlled organisation.
Our new, cutting-edge facilities deliver a combination of spaces and expertise that strengthens Upper Hutt’s appeal as a destination for hosting local and international events.
We carry the principle of manaakitanga — hospitality and respect for others — throughout our service. We factor our community’s priorities and budgets into every plan, so you can be confident we’ll deliver an experience that’s tailored to your needs.
Our story
Te Aka o te Kupenga: Maidstone Park Trust, was established in November 2022 as a Council Controlled Organisation by the Upper Hutt City Council. This trust oversees the operation of Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub, inclusive of the artificial football turf situated within Maidstone Park. These facilities were created for the well-being of the Upper Hutt community, fostering engagement in sports, recreation, and diverse leisure pursuits.
Te Kupenga o Rongomai represents a cornerstone of community vitality, offering a variety of spaces tailored to accommodate a wide array of activities. From versatile sports grounds to multifunctional meeting and club rooms available for hire, the hub aspires to be the epicenter of communal gatherings and shared experiences for Upper Hutt residents.
Expanding beyond mere infrastructure, Te Kupenga o Rongomai embodies a vision of inclusivity and opportunity, inviting individuals of all ages and backgrounds to partake in the spirit of camaraderie and healthy living. As the heartbeat of Upper Hutt's recreational landscape, the hub pledges to be a catalyst for connection and collective celebration, enriching the fabric of our vibrant community.
Stages of redevelopment
Stage 1 (2012) — an artificial hockey turf, dual-use rugby and football turf including a practice / warm-up area, floodlighting, a storage area and limited on-site car parking. This project also included refurbishment of the toilets and changing facilities in the existing pavilion. The artificial turf development increased the available hours of play throughout the season due to the provision of floodlit training and playing areas that could be used for more than 50 hours per week as well as significantly reducing the number of cancellations during the season.
Stage 2 (2019) — the sports fields were upgraded to a ‘sand carpet’ surface. The works encompassed refurbishing 3.9 hectares of fields with drainage and irrigation installed. This area of the park provides two senior rugby fields and three junior rugby fields. In early 2021 three Super Rugby games were played on the turf.
Stage 3 (2020) — the redevelopment of the Maidstone Max playground, skate park and picnic area was completed in April 2021. The key features of the redevelopment will be an enlarged modern skate park built around a central castle-themed play area, and musical and sand play features. The playground includes a relocated young children’s play area (with upgraded toilets), a new half basketball court and a pump track for learner scooters and bike riders.
Stage 4 (2021) — involved the construction of shared clubrooms, an indoor training facility and improvements to associated facilities at the park. The planning for this final stage commenced in September 2020, construction started in September 2021 and was completed in April 2024.
Behind the names
Te Aka o te Kupenga
Te Aka o te Kupenga, is the name given to the Maidstone Park Trust. The ‘aka’ or vine is the thread that holds the entire net, it supports the net, shapes the net, it’S the part you hold to guide the net’s direction. The aka or vine in many instances is also responsible for delivering waiora (waters of sustenance) and is an indication of life. There is also the added play on words, in its connection with Aka-Tarawa as one of the key mountain ranges in the area.
Te Kupenga o Rongomai
Te Kupenga o Rongomai (The fishing net of Rongomai) is the name given to the new Maidstone Sports Hub. Te Kupenga refers to a fishing net. The connection between the hub and the fishing net encompasses the purpose of the sports hub. This will align with the metaphorical saying to cast the net and gather many fish in the sea. In this case, the hub is casting its net out to the community to gather the community, the future leaders, stakeholders and whanau around the rohe.
Our acknowledgement and thanks to Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa and Orongomai Marae for the gifting of our name and that of the hub.
Behind the brand
The hub is a place of activity where people from many walks of life meet to convene, compete and celebrate. Just like schools of fish amongst the currents of the river, so do people come and go, in and out, of the hub. The people drive the purpose of the hub as it adapts to the needs of the community. The diversity of people meeting within the net gives the community strength.
The approach to the visual work is inspired by, and aims to uphold, the whakaaro that Te Ati Awa have gifted. Strands of harakeke weave together to form the unique structure of a kupenga (an open weave). The knot (overlapping, joining) represents a meeting point of the net and the strength of the knot impacts the size of the catch (people). People (fish) can be seen flowing in an out of the net depending on the current that drives them there. Use of unaunahi (fish scale pattern) literally identifies the fish but metaphorically symbolises the strength and determination of the community they form. The overall shape and feel of the logo (strong, grounded, unified) also reflects the proud history of the long-standing sports clubs that form the foundation of Te Kupenga o Rongomai, particularly that of the Upper Hutt Rugby Football Club.
Te Aka o te Kupenga: Maidstone Park Trust
About the trust
Te Aka o te Kupenga: Maidstone Park Trust, has been established by the Upper Hutt City Council as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). The Trust Deed was signed by the Council and the seven appointed Trustees in November 2022. The Trust became incorporated on 9 February 2023 as a registered charitable trust under the Charitable Trust Act and on 14 March 2023 became a registered charity.
The Management Agreement between the Council and Te Aka o te Kupenga was ratified by the Council on 28 June 2023. This agreement formally appoints Te Aka o te Kupenga as Manager of Te Kupenga o Rongomai (Maidstone Sports Hub), the Artificial Turf and Pavilion.
Te Aka o te Kupenga first took responsibility for managing the Artificial Turf and Pavilion in October 2023.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Aka o te Kupenga recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Trust will always seek to honour the treaty in the work that we do, in the policies we develop and in the way we manage Te Kupenga o Rongomai on behalf of the Upper Hutt Community.
Key to this is the development and maintenance of a lasting and meaningful relationship with Orongomai Marae and Mana Whenua that contributes to our aim to provide a place where our community can convene and thrive.
Te Tiriti will continue to inform and influence our leadership practice as reflected in our values of Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga and Kaitiakitanga.
Our experienced local events team manages a portfolio of spaces across Wellington’s new, purpose-built convention centre, Tākina (‘to encounter, to invoke’) and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (‘container of treasures’).
Our Beneficiaries
We exist for the benefit of the Upper Hutt Community, their success is our success.
Community sports, active recreation and leisure groups
The facilities we manage are available for all community users. Whilst the foundation sports will have priority access, there is plenty of availability for ALL!
Foundation sports
We would like to acknowledge the foundation sports that have been an integral part of the Maidstone Park whanau for many years. These include the Upper Hutt Rams RFC, Heretaunga Boxing Club, Upper Hutt Judo Club and Upper Hutt City Football Club who have all given up their own facilities and autonomy to support the development of the hub.
We will support each of the foundation sports to not only retain their identities and traditions, but to thrive.
Upper Hutt Rams RFC
Ko Rimutaka te maunga
Ko Awakairangi te awa
Ko Orongomai te marae
Ko Upper Hutt Rams RFC te whanau
The Upper Hutt Rams RFC provides the structure and support for children and adults to play rugby and netball in Upper Hutt.
This allows the wider community to participate successfully across all age levels in the junior rugby section, across the premier, age, reserve grade and president levels as well as premier and senior grade netball. We also provide yellow-belly golden oldies rugby. The Rams as we are known, was established in 2014, combining two long-standing proud Upper Hutt rugby clubs, the Upper Hutt RFC and the Remutaka RFC. We are affiliated with the Wellington Rugby Football Union and are one of the larger clubs in Wellington.
The club is the heart of rugby and netball in Upper Hutt with strong links to our community. We are the link between families and friends providing health and well-being by way of our great games of rugby and netball. We are proudly supported by our volunteers, club members and supporters. With a massive thanks to our loyal sponsors for their continued support. We look forward to welcoming you.
Upper Hutt Judo
Discover the Power of Judo at Upper Hutt Judo Club!
Empowering the Upper Hutt community for over 45 Years.
Join us at Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub, a sporting heart of our community. As one of the Founding Members of Te Kupenga o Rongomai.
Led by our experienced Coaches. You will Build Fitness, Confidence & Teamwork.
Where Values Shape Champions.
Develop Social Connections & Problem-Solving Skills.
Instill Good Character & Respect.
Embrace Discipline, Self-Control & Perseverance.
Skills on the Mat, Skills for Life.
"The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect yourself and to contribute to society."
—Kano Jigoro, founder of Judo.
Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defence or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.
Judo, which is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent.
Unlock Your Potential with Upper Hutt Judo Club!
Heretaunga Boxing Club
Founded on the principles of respect, determination, and camaraderie, Heretaunga Boxing offers a welcoming environment where members of all ages and fitness levels can thrive. we're a community of passionate individuals dedicated to the art and discipline of boxing.
What sets us apart? It's our unwavering commitment to excellence, both inside and outside the ring. From technical training sessions to intense conditioning workouts, we provide the tools and support you need to push your limits and unleash your full potential.
We have classes on Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 6pm–7.30pm. Our classes are open to all age groups and all capabilities.
Our membership prices are $80 per term or if you are only interested in classes here and there, it's $10 per session.
If you are interested in giving boxing a go you can contact us on 04 9792770 or email through to admin@braddock.co.nz. Alternatively, you could give our Facebook page a follow and message us through there.
Upper Hutt City Football Club Based at Maidstone Park Artificial Turf
Upper Hutt City Football made our highly anticipated move to Maidstone Park in 2013. The redevelopment by Upper Hutt City Council meant we now have an all-weather astroturf field, training area and renovated player facilities on the ground level of the pavilion.
The new facility is shared by football and rugby with maximum use over weekends and evenings.
Our clubrooms are open every Thursday night from 7–9pm during the playing season and for senior men’s and women’s home games at Maidstone Park. They can be booked for club events and private functions at our discretion. Please email the club secretary, hello@upperhuttcityfootball.org.nz for more info.
Affiliated clubs
We also have a large variety of groups that use our facilities on a regular basis. These include:
Trentham Boxing
Deer Stalkers Association
Oasis Church
Capital Cars RC Club
Not Strictly Tai Chi
The Moonshine Table Tennis Club
Key contributors
We rely on others to support our important mahi
Upper Hutt City Council
The Council is both our owner as well as our key partner in providing quality facilities for the Upper Hutt community across Maidstone Park.
Other Contributors
To maintain the facilities to a high standard and ensure they remain affordable for our Foundation Sports and community users, it is important that we are successful in accessing alternative revenue streams.
These include:
Sponsors
Funders
Commercial and private customers