Mark Bowater
Co-Chair Asia-Pacific Region Committee at World Urban Parks- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Judi Longdill
In my role as an independent consultant to Council across many areas of Council activity, I have had the privilege of working alongside Mark for over ten years on a variety of projects concerning Parks and Recreation. For the last three years I have been fortunate to facilitate the multidisciplinary team responsible for the implementation of council’s 10 year region wide sports field capacity development programme, developed under Mark’s leadership. Mark has been an extremely supportive sponsor and champion of the programme. As a project team we have very much appreciated his strategic thinking skills as well as his collaborative and inclusive approach. His ability to look at the ‘bigger picture’ in terms of developing and delivering the programme, and his determination to make the most of opportunities to deliver the very best value for money for Auckland’s ratepayers and sporting community, have been invaluable. On a personal note Mark has provided excellent guidance in understanding and navigating council’s reporting and decision making processes. I have developed a very high regard for the enthusiasm and leadership qualities that Mark brings to his role. As well as being a highly competent individual, he has also developed the skills to bring out the best in the teams he has worked with. He has done this by being a great listener, and by empowering and encouraging team members to stretch themselves outside of their comfort zones. Mark has also been a champion for innovation and encourages his staff to explore approaches and insights that are beyond the familiar tried and true. From my other work with many local and national sporting organisations I am aware of the very high regard that the sporting community has for Mark and the work Auckland Council is achieving under his leadership.
Cameron Parr
Whilst in my role as Group Manager at Auckland City Council and prior to that as Parks Manager, I had the privilege of having Mark in my team for over 12 years. During this tenure, I have seen Mark develop into a strong leader with a leadership style that is focused on building a team culture based on collaboration, empowerment and respect. In addition to this Mark has also developed strong leadership qualities in change management, strategic foresight and communication. Mark has strong financial management skills that complement the contract management competencies he has developed over the years. Marks attention to detail and thorough thought process enables him to make the sound decisions required at a senior level. Mark is also a valued leader within the parks industry, his passion, commitment, dedication and thought leadership is widely respected"
Judi Longdill
In my role as an independent consultant to Council across many areas of Council activity, I have had the privilege of working alongside Mark for over ten years on a variety of projects concerning Parks and Recreation. For the last three years I have been fortunate to facilitate the multidisciplinary team responsible for the implementation of council’s 10 year region wide sports field capacity development programme, developed under Mark’s leadership. Mark has been an extremely supportive sponsor and champion of the programme. As a project team we have very much appreciated his strategic thinking skills as well as his collaborative and inclusive approach. His ability to look at the ‘bigger picture’ in terms of developing and delivering the programme, and his determination to make the most of opportunities to deliver the very best value for money for Auckland’s ratepayers and sporting community, have been invaluable. On a personal note Mark has provided excellent guidance in understanding and navigating council’s reporting and decision making processes. I have developed a very high regard for the enthusiasm and leadership qualities that Mark brings to his role. As well as being a highly competent individual, he has also developed the skills to bring out the best in the teams he has worked with. He has done this by being a great listener, and by empowering and encouraging team members to stretch themselves outside of their comfort zones. Mark has also been a champion for innovation and encourages his staff to explore approaches and insights that are beyond the familiar tried and true. From my other work with many local and national sporting organisations I am aware of the very high regard that the sporting community has for Mark and the work Auckland Council is achieving under his leadership.
Cameron Parr
Whilst in my role as Group Manager at Auckland City Council and prior to that as Parks Manager, I had the privilege of having Mark in my team for over 12 years. During this tenure, I have seen Mark develop into a strong leader with a leadership style that is focused on building a team culture based on collaboration, empowerment and respect. In addition to this Mark has also developed strong leadership qualities in change management, strategic foresight and communication. Mark has strong financial management skills that complement the contract management competencies he has developed over the years. Marks attention to detail and thorough thought process enables him to make the sound decisions required at a senior level. Mark is also a valued leader within the parks industry, his passion, commitment, dedication and thought leadership is widely respected"
Judi Longdill
In my role as an independent consultant to Council across many areas of Council activity, I have had the privilege of working alongside Mark for over ten years on a variety of projects concerning Parks and Recreation. For the last three years I have been fortunate to facilitate the multidisciplinary team responsible for the implementation of council’s 10 year region wide sports field capacity development programme, developed under Mark’s leadership. Mark has been an extremely supportive sponsor and champion of the programme. As a project team we have very much appreciated his strategic thinking skills as well as his collaborative and inclusive approach. His ability to look at the ‘bigger picture’ in terms of developing and delivering the programme, and his determination to make the most of opportunities to deliver the very best value for money for Auckland’s ratepayers and sporting community, have been invaluable. On a personal note Mark has provided excellent guidance in understanding and navigating council’s reporting and decision making processes. I have developed a very high regard for the enthusiasm and leadership qualities that Mark brings to his role. As well as being a highly competent individual, he has also developed the skills to bring out the best in the teams he has worked with. He has done this by being a great listener, and by empowering and encouraging team members to stretch themselves outside of their comfort zones. Mark has also been a champion for innovation and encourages his staff to explore approaches and insights that are beyond the familiar tried and true. From my other work with many local and national sporting organisations I am aware of the very high regard that the sporting community has for Mark and the work Auckland Council is achieving under his leadership.
Cameron Parr
Whilst in my role as Group Manager at Auckland City Council and prior to that as Parks Manager, I had the privilege of having Mark in my team for over 12 years. During this tenure, I have seen Mark develop into a strong leader with a leadership style that is focused on building a team culture based on collaboration, empowerment and respect. In addition to this Mark has also developed strong leadership qualities in change management, strategic foresight and communication. Mark has strong financial management skills that complement the contract management competencies he has developed over the years. Marks attention to detail and thorough thought process enables him to make the sound decisions required at a senior level. Mark is also a valued leader within the parks industry, his passion, commitment, dedication and thought leadership is widely respected"
Judi Longdill
In my role as an independent consultant to Council across many areas of Council activity, I have had the privilege of working alongside Mark for over ten years on a variety of projects concerning Parks and Recreation. For the last three years I have been fortunate to facilitate the multidisciplinary team responsible for the implementation of council’s 10 year region wide sports field capacity development programme, developed under Mark’s leadership. Mark has been an extremely supportive sponsor and champion of the programme. As a project team we have very much appreciated his strategic thinking skills as well as his collaborative and inclusive approach. His ability to look at the ‘bigger picture’ in terms of developing and delivering the programme, and his determination to make the most of opportunities to deliver the very best value for money for Auckland’s ratepayers and sporting community, have been invaluable. On a personal note Mark has provided excellent guidance in understanding and navigating council’s reporting and decision making processes. I have developed a very high regard for the enthusiasm and leadership qualities that Mark brings to his role. As well as being a highly competent individual, he has also developed the skills to bring out the best in the teams he has worked with. He has done this by being a great listener, and by empowering and encouraging team members to stretch themselves outside of their comfort zones. Mark has also been a champion for innovation and encourages his staff to explore approaches and insights that are beyond the familiar tried and true. From my other work with many local and national sporting organisations I am aware of the very high regard that the sporting community has for Mark and the work Auckland Council is achieving under his leadership.
Cameron Parr
Whilst in my role as Group Manager at Auckland City Council and prior to that as Parks Manager, I had the privilege of having Mark in my team for over 12 years. During this tenure, I have seen Mark develop into a strong leader with a leadership style that is focused on building a team culture based on collaboration, empowerment and respect. In addition to this Mark has also developed strong leadership qualities in change management, strategic foresight and communication. Mark has strong financial management skills that complement the contract management competencies he has developed over the years. Marks attention to detail and thorough thought process enables him to make the sound decisions required at a senior level. Mark is also a valued leader within the parks industry, his passion, commitment, dedication and thought leadership is widely respected"
Credentials
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IS Accredited Professional (ISAP v2.1)
Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC)Mar, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Accredited Recreation Professional (ARPro)
New Zealand Recreation AssociationNov, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
Certified Parks Professional - International (CPP-I)
World Urban Parks - World Parks AcademyOct, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
IS Accredited Professional
ISCASep, 2018- Nov, 2024
Experience
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World Urban Parks
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New Zealand
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Recreational Facilities
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Chair Asia-Pacific Region Committee
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Jun 2023 - Present
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Healthy Parks Healthy Cities Committee member
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Oct 2017 - Present
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Jacobs
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Principal Consultant - Community Infrastructure
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Feb 2023 - Present
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World Urban Parks
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Oct 2019 - Present
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Board Director and Chair
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Nov 2014 - Present
Non-executive Board Director, elected 2014, re-elected 2017 and 2020 Chair CEO Performance Committee March 2023 Audit Finance and Risk Committee member February 2022 NZRA Chair December 2016 to February 2022 Deputy Chair February 2016 to December 2016 Chair of Audit Finance and Risk Committee April 2016 to December 2016 To govern NZRA and to advance education in recreation and leisure in New Zealand. Elected position with initial 3 year appointment term. NZRA member since 1999 Show less
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Auckland Council
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New Zealand
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Head of Parks Services
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Nov 2016 - Sep 2022
Leadership of the Parks Services Unit :- 52,000ha of parks open space - 4,000 local parks, 224 sports parks, 28 regional parks, 30 operational cemeteries, Botanic Gardens, Domain Wintergardens and Nursery- over 210 staff- parks service delivery strategy and programmes- park bookings- provision of quality political advice- investment programme planning- community engagement/empowerment/volunteering- Urban Forest and "greening" Auckland, connecting people with natureSpeaker at conferences:- Green Space in the Resilient City, University of Otago, Wellington, February 2017- NZRA Green Pavlova, Wellington, May 2017 (conference programme convenor)- National Sports Convention, Melbourne, July 2017- Generate Conference, Hamilton, April 2018- NZRA Green Pavlova, Christchurch, May 2018- National Sports Convention, Melbourne, July 2018- International Parks and Leisure Congress, Melbourne, October 2018- ISCA IS Summit #ConnectNZ, Auckland, May 2019- International Urban Green Infrastructure Conference, Voronezh, Russia, September 2019- World Urban Parks Congress, Kazan, Russia, October 2019- Recreation Aotearoa - Recreation Conference, Hamilton, November 2019- World Urban Parks online webinar - Parks Management under COVID-19, May 2020- World Urban Parks online webinar - Follow up Parks Management Under COVID-19, March 2021- Green Pavlova/WUP Asia Pacific Regional Congress, Rotorua, May 2021- ParkSeason Expo, Russia, online conference, August 2021- National Sports Convention , Melbourne (Virtual) , December 2021- WUP International Congress (Virtual), December 2021- #SEASummit conference (virtual), March 2022- Green Pavlova conference, Dunedin, June 2022 PublicationsParks and Leisure Australia Autumn 2018 issue - Scott Point Sustainable Sports Park (co-author)2018 ISCA impacts Report - Scott Point Sustainable Sports Park (co-author)Parks and Leisure Australia Spring 2018 issue - Low Carbon Parks Research Project (co-author) Show less
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Manager Parks
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Dec 2015 - Nov 2016
Leadership of the Parks Unit. Accountabilities include:- 320 staff- 50,000ha of parks open space - 4,000 local parks, 224 sports parks, 26 regional parks including farming activities, Auckland Botanic Gardens, 52 cemeteries- parks service delivery strategy and programmes- capital programme planning- community engagement/empowerment- "greening" AucklandKey achievements include:- formation of new Parks Unit from two previous units, rationalisation of management and team structures, creating capability in areas of H&S and thought leadership- sponsor and initiator of Green Infrastructure Forum and Growing Greener Parks Forum, to champion environmental sustainability, green infrastructure, and low carbon parksSpeaker at conferences : - National Sports Convention, Sydney, June 2016 - NZ Turf Conference, Auckland, June 2016 - IPWEA Sustainability in Public Works conference, Melbourne, August 2016 - NZRA National Conference, Queenstown, November 2016 Show less
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Acting General Manager Parks Sport and Recreation
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Jun 2015 - Dec 2015
6 month secondment.Leadership of the Parks Sport and Recreation department. Scope/accountabilities:- 1200 staff- annual operational budget $190m- annual capital budget $193m- delivery of customer focussed services across the parks, sport and recreation portfolio- 4,000 local parks, 26 regional parks, Botanic Gardens, volcanic maunga, cemeteries- 41 pool and leisure centres- sport and recreation programmes and partnerships- capital project planning and delivery- management of $4b community assets portfolio across Auckland regionKey achievements included:• Preparation of departmental Business Plan and H&S Plan for 2015/16• Reviewed and implemented changes to the H&S committee structure of the department to improve safety outcomes• Organised and facilitated a Green Engineering Symposium, and initiated a department wide project based on improving environmental sustainability outcomes through green infrastructure and the application of green engineering principles• Led the department through a significant change process as part of the Services Reshape – to strengthen overall customer services, and service delivery in the areas of partnership, co-governance, programme management, and to merge parks into one unit. • Speaker at conference – 2015 Parks and Leisure Australia national conference in Sydney Show less
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Manager, Local and Sports Parks
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Nov 2010 - Jun 2015
Leadership of the Local and Sports Parks Unit, with a management portfolio of over 4,000 parks, 125 staff, $140m annual operating budget.• Led successful change management process to restructure unit in first year to meet business requirements• Integrated cultures, systems and processes from 7 legacy councils into a new amalgamated team environment. Fostering the development of a high performing team through year on year improvements to staff engagement scores• Led the rationalisation of parks maintenance contracts from 64 to 14 contracts, realising $8m of efficiency savings per annum, and establishing regional levels of service • Champion and sponsor of the Sports Field Capacity Development Programme – a 10 year programme of significant capital investment to upgrade sports fields, as a result of strong eveidence-based research on sports field supply and demand• Senior technical support officer for iwi co-management agreements - Ngati Whatua Orakei Reserves Board and Parakai Recreation Reserve Board• Speaker at conferences – 2011 NZ Turf Conference, 2012 NZRA National Conference, 2014 National Synthetic Surfaces Conference (Sydney), 2014 NZRA National Conference Christchurch, 2015 NZRA Green Pavlova Conference Auckland Show less
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Manager Parks Services
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May 2007 - Nov 2010
Leadership of the parks services team, with responsibility for the management of over 800 parks, 13 FTEs, $20m annual opex budget. Led rationalisation of parks maintenance contracts from 15 to 8. Formed two large full facility parks contracts, and six specialist contracts. Led and guided team through extended transition period of change during local government amalgamations resulting in the formation of the new Auckland Council in 2010. Leadership of the parks services team, with responsibility for the management of over 800 parks, 13 FTEs, $20m annual opex budget. Led rationalisation of parks maintenance contracts from 15 to 8. Formed two large full facility parks contracts, and six specialist contracts. Led and guided team through extended transition period of change during local government amalgamations resulting in the formation of the new Auckland Council in 2010.
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Manager Arboriculture and Sports Parks
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1997 - 2007
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Acting Parks Manager
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Apr 1996 - Feb 1997
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New Zealand Arboricultural Association Inc (NZ Arb)
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New Zealand
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Environmental Services
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Executive Committee Member/Vice President
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1993 - 2000
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Arborist
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1992 - 1996
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Tree Team Supervisor
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1991 - 1992
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Treescape New Zealand
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New Zealand
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Environmental Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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Foreman Arborist
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1988 - 1991
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Professional Tree Services
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United Kingdom
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1 - 100 Employee
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Arborist/Foreman Arborist
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1985 - 1987
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Education
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Massey University
Diploma in Horticulture -
NZ Sports Turf Institute
National Certificate in Sports Turf -
NZIM
Certificate in Supervisory Management -
Merrist Wood College, UK
Arboriculture
Community
