The Manawa Wetland reserve in New Lynn provides a beautiful recreation area for the community and a solution for stormwater management.
Part of the development has been to integrate handmade ceramic tiles and mosaics into the pathways that have been built throughout the reserve.
The tiles were produced at community workshops run by noted ceramicist Richard Parker and local artist Janet Holtrigter in late 2000.
The workshops were held next to the historic Gardner Brothers and Parker Downdraught Kiln at the end of Ambrico Place.
From 1902, the Manawa Wetland site was a clay pit used by brickworks company Gardner Brothers and Parker. In 1929 the company amalgamated with several other local brickworks to eventually became part of Ceramco Ltd, then New Zealand's largest ceramics manufacturer.
Once the supply of clay from the pit was exhausted, Crown Lynn used the site as a dumping ground for reject pottery. Some of the fragments of pottery that are imbedded in the soil have been collected to make mosaics for the pathways.
The project involved over 400 community members.
The Manawa Wetland Community Tiling Project now serves as a reference to West Auckland's rich ceramic heritage, and has preserved fragments of the past in the new design of the reserve.
Where to find it
The Manawa Wetland is part of Margan Reserve, situated at the junction of Margan Ave and Titirangi Road
Part of the development has been to integrate handmade ceramic tiles and mosaics into the pathways that have been built throughout the reserve.
by brickworks company Gardner Brothers and Parker. In 1929 the company amalgamated with several other local brickworks to eventually became part of Ceramco Ltd, then New Zealand's largest ceramics manufacturer. 
