Last year, we announced a partnership that was close to our hearts: Green Acres and our sister company, Hire A Hubby, joined Barnardos Aotearoa as major sponsors. This collaboration was our commitment to use our nationwide network of over 500 franchisees to support the communities where we live and work.
Barnardos is on the frontline for New Zealand’s most precious taonga- our children. From early learning centres to vital social services and advocacy, they foster safe, nurturing environments for tamariki and whānau. At Green Acres and Hire A Hubby, our values align perfectly with this mission. We believe that every child deserves a safe place to grow, and we knew the best way we could help was to roll up our sleeves and put our practical skills to work.
We are thrilled to share the results of our first major project in Henderson, Auckland. In just one week, a combined team of Hire A Hubby, Green Acres, and our Support Office crew turned a tired and weathered outdoor area into a dream play space. This transformation isthe first bloom of our journey together, proving that when we combine our community spirit with expert labour, we can create long-lasting change for tamariki.
The Henderson Transformation: Who Made it Happen
Transforming a space like this in just one week required a powerhouse of expertise. Here is the breakdown of the mahi and the legends behind it:
Custom Decking & Structural Safety
The Team: Steve Barker, Oliver Barker (Hire A Hubby Mt Wellington/Onehunga) and Chris Stewart (Hire A Hubby West Harbour).
The Hubby team managed the technical build from site visit to final screw. Using H5 posts and stainless steel fixings, they cantilevered the deck to meet the concrete patio, ensuring a perfectly level, trip-free zone. The H3 joists were set at 450mm centres to ensure the sub-structure remains solid for years of high-traffic play.
Premium Safety Turf Installation
The Team: Paul Bolton (Green Acres L&G Auckland), with the assistance of Mitchell Cooper and Tina Bolton.
The Product: Urban Montana 30mm premium turf from Urban Turf Solutions. This wasn't just "laying grass." The team excavated 140mm deep, created a compacted gravel base for drainage, and installed a 35mm soft-fall mat (like a giant game of Tetris!) to protect the kids during tumbles. The finish involved 375kg of sand infill to keep the blades standing tall and looking natural.
Note: Professional turf installation is a specialist service available through select Green Acres Lawn & Garden franchisees—get in touch to see if we can refresh your space!
Garden Refresh & "The Clean Up"
The Team: Tina Bolton and Mason Huddlestone (Support Office). The team cleared overgrown flaxes and weeds that were encroaching on the play area, instantly making the space feel bigger. They even uncovered buried stepping stones to create a "discovery path" and chose hardy Lomandra Lime Tuff for the new planting—tough enough to handle sandy soil and active tamariki.
The Finishing Mow
The Team: Harry Singh (Green Acres L&G Auckland). To make the whole centre pop, Harry got stuck in with the line trimmer and mower. Clearing the long growth under the fences and giving the entire entrance a professional cut was the "final flourish" that made the Henderson centre look brand new.
A Huge THANK YOU to our Volunteers!
This project was a combined effort of franchisees giving up their valuable time and our Support Office crew rolling up their sleeves.
Hire A Hubby: Steve Barker & Oliver Barker (Mt Wellington/Onehunga), Chris Stewar (West Harbour).
Green Acres: Lawn & Garden Auckland franchisees: Paul Bolton and Harry Singh.
Support Office: Tina Bolton, Mason Huddlestone, Mitchell Cooper, Brett Dennis.
“We are excited to have this amazing space transformed into an area where children can play, that is aesthetically pleasing, and where teachers have way more opportunities to facilitate amazing teaching and learning for our tamariki! Thank you very much to Green Acres & Hire A Hubby from Barnardos Early Learning Centre, Henderson." - Joanne Bywater, Barnardos Early Learning Centre, Henderson - Manager
Head over to our LinkedIn to check out the behind-the-scenes action and the incredible before-and-after results from this transformation!
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