Brad Ward

Brad Ward joined the Parks Leaders Forum Board in October 2025 and is currently the Manager Community Services at Waipā District Council.

His career in the parks and open spaces sector began working on a persimmon orchard from the age of 12 — the start of a lifelong passion for horticulture and the outdoors.

After completing New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture – Arboriculture, Brad began his career as an arborist in the private sector before joining Hamilton City Council in 2008. In 2014, he moved into sports field project management, completing a New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture – Sports Turf to support his growing expertise in turf and recreation asset delivery. He joined Waipā District Council in 2019 as the Community Assets Team Leader and stepped into the Manager role in 2022, where he now oversees a broad portfolio of community infrastructure and open space management.

A former steering group member of Generate, Brad is passionate about the strong connections across the parks and recreation industry and the role these relationships play in supporting developing leaders and newcomers to the industry – especially from the grassroots. Outside of work, he enjoys sport, hunting, and spending time outdoors — passions that continue to fuel his commitment to the sector.

Brad is passionate about parks, recreation and urban green spaces, dedicated to creating safe, vibrant environments where communities can benefit for generations to come.