Manukau is home to some of the most deprived deciles because of this Counties Manukau health board warned that Manukau’s child and adult obesity rates, as well as other health problems would increase rapidly and disproportionately to the rest of the Country.
Manukau City Council’s responds was to increase funding, re-develop or build new sports centres that provides free or low cost recreational activities. Auckland Council has continued this plan of action. Manukau is the only part of Auckland that can access free swimming pool, low cost community gyms and facility hire.
 |
| Old sports complex being pulled down so that a new complex can be developed in Manurewa Park. Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos |
Manurewa has two large sport complexes being built at this very moment. The new complexes are located near large open space and parks. They offer safe indoor and outdoor spaces for individual or group physical activity. The intent of these community sports centres is to encourage and nurture the sporting excellence that exists here as well as boosting physically activity among the local community.
 |
| Netball Manurewa Community Events Centre in the process of being finished. Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos |
 |
| Mountfort Park a new complex and the process of being developed into a multi-sports facility. Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos |
 |
| Sign with conceptual drawing of the Netball events centre. Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos |
 |
| Sign with conceptual design of Mountfort Facility. Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos |
The overall idea is to provide a range of recreational activities for free or at low cost so that Manukau residents become involved and stay active, in doing so they reduce their likelihood of future health complications.
