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History of Mclean Park

The park is named in memory of Donald McLean who, as Native Minister and Government Land Commissioner, purchased a large block of land from local Maori in the early days of European settlement in this area.

In 1905, a trust was formed to establish a memorial to Sir Donald McLean and to that end, ten acres was purchased for recreational purposes - the future McLean Park. In its early years, the Highland Society was very strong and the park was mainly used for highland games and athletic events.

Read here McLean Park's History by Michael Fowler.

6 November 1937

6 November 1937

A photograph of Napier and Hastings musical bands at McLean Park, Napier. From a group of photographs depicting inter-house teams and bands competing at McLean Park on that date. Photographer, Charles Gollop

6 November 1937

6 November 1937

Napier and Hastings musical bands at McLean Park.

29 July 1961

29 July 1961

NZ Maori vs France

9 March 1965

9 March 1965

World mile champion Peter Snell winning the feature mile at last night's track meeting in Napier. His time was 4m. 1.8s.- the fastest mile ever run at McLean Park. Behind him is the young Aucklander, K. McDell, who finished about four yards behind Snell in the excellent time of 4m. 2.8s.

September 1965

September 1965

Hawkes Bay vs Springboks

9 May 1966

9 May 1966

Marist second five-eighth I. R. MacRae dives across the line to score the first of his two tries to give his team an 8 - 6 win over Napier H.S. O.B., at McLean Park, Napier, on Saturday. In support is prop N. Thimbleby (right), with Napier Old Boys' No. 8 J. Chrystal at the end of a vain bid to catch MacRae

14 May 1970

14 May 1970

Napier Old Boys forwards Kel Tremain, Graham Wiig and Tony Dick are checked on their way through a scrum by a Celtic forward during play in last week's senior Rugby match at McLean Park, Napier. Aidan Thomas, the Celtic half-back (left), awaits the outcome of the exchanges

22 June 1993

22 June 1993

Rugby - HB v Lions, McLean Park, Cunningham conversion

26 September 1993

26 September 1993

Blues run riot for cup glory – Another goal – another celebration as the cup is clearly on its way into Napier City Rovers’ trophy cabinet

From a Rugby perspective, below is a list of firsts on McLean Park

28 September, 1912 

First Club Match
Marist OB v Waipukurau United, HB Challenge Shield Match 

1 September, 1917 

First Interprovincial Match
Hawke’s Bay v Poverty Bay

3 June, 1926 

Record Score
Hawke’s Bay defeat Wairarapa 77-14 in a Ranfurly Shield defence. The Magpies 77 points is the highest score by any NZ province, and remains so until passed by Counties in 1972 with their 101-7 win over East Coast.

24 March, 1965

First night match
Hawke’s Bay v Invitation XV  

30 August, 1969 

Record Attendance
26,292 spectators watch Hawke’s Bay defeat Wellington 14-6 in a Ranfurly Shield defence

26 August, 1972

First nationwide live TV telecast in NZ of a rugby match
Hawke’s Bay 15 v Australia 14 

12 May, 1976

First ever NPC first division match in New Zealand
Auckland 10 v Hawke’s Bay 7

24 May, 1987 

First Test Match
Canada defeat Tonga 24-7 in inaugural World Cup.

7 June, 1996 

First All Blacks Test
All Blacks defeat Samoa 51-10

McLean Park Re-Turf 2018

Some things we found

Some things we found

Existing Turf/ Sand Profile. Poor draining existing clay layer. Free draining underlying subgrade

Some things we found

Some things we found

Old limestone foundations

Some things we found

Some things we found

Asbestos pipes for removal

Some things we found

Some things we found

An old water bore in the middle of the ground

The cricket block

The cricket block

Drop-in tray foundations

The cricket block

The cricket block

Drop-in tray foundations

The cricket block

The cricket block

Drop-in tray foundations

The cricket block

The cricket block

Hi-tech bird scarers

The cricket block

The cricket block

Block greening up, growth covers on

The cricket block

The cricket block

Block grass maturing

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Excavation

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Bidim, subsoils and irrigation

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Drainage gravel

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Sand

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Harvesting the turf

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Laying the turf

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Turf laying (half way)

Project Milestones

Project Milestones

Turf laid

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While every endeavour has been taken by the Napier City Council to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, Napier City Council shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. Napier City Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including , pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

© Napier City Council - www.mcleanpark.co.nz / +64 6 835 7579 / mclean.park@napier.govt.nz