100-year heritage meets the latest turf technology in Taranaki, New Zealand
Polytan’s Cody Linton on the modern day reimagination of New Plymouth’s revered ‘Gully’ ground.
New Plymouth Boys’ High is famous for its spine-tingling hakas and historic playing field, ‘The Gully’. So when the time came to reimagine the stage for both, it required a forward-thinking solution that played to a time-honoured heritage. GM of Polytan New Zealand, Cody Linton, who led the new turf project at the school, reveals how the latest turf technology met tradition to benefit players and planet.
What’s so special about The Gully?
The sports ground at New Plymouth Boys’ High School is steeped in history and has been the home of their 1st XV rugby team for well over a hundred years. The terraced embankments either side of the field are what makes this facility unique and gives it the name ‘The Gully’.
The pre-game haka is a renowned tradition for the 1st XI and has been referred to as the one of the greatest build-up shows in world sport with 1,600 boys joining in from the terraces to welcome (and intimidate) visiting schools.
The unique ground also came with some unique challenges?
Yes. Being in a gully, drainage was a constant issue. To keep the field in good condition for their traditional fixtures the field only ever hosted around 12 games per year, very little training, and no physical education. The school needed a new solution to keep the field in play more often whilst respecting the history of this famous field.
How did Polytan approach The Gully’s reinvention?
The design and construction of a next generation artificial turf for The Gully was a complex and special project and we threw everything at it from the groundwork to the lighting.
Drainage was key so we installed a significant amount of drainage to combat the runoff from the surrounding terraces, including the installation of an irrigation system which captures excess water from the recently refurbished classroom block and diverts it down to a tank farm and pump near the field. This in-built recycling system provides both environmental sustainability and helps to sustain more regular play on the field.
How else does the new turf tech ensure both environmental and playing performance?
In a first for New Zealand, the turf includes an organic timber fill called BrockFILL which is a sustainable alternative to rubber, approved by the European Union.
The recycled water system is designed to keep the BrockFILL damp and cool for several days, adding a layer of lubrication to the fibres to reduce friction burns. The innovation is brilliant for rugby and other sports because the fill settles and feels very natural.
What difference has the new turf and lighting system made?
As well as the turf, we installed a 300 Lux lighting system which meets World Rugby and FIFA standards. In reality, we’ve found that this delivers 380 Lux and the impact of this, and the year-round turf, has been immediate.
I saw the Headmaster, Sam Moore, who instigated and led the project at New Plymouth Boys’ High School and he had this to say;
“We have had more games on The Gully in its first week with the new turf than we had all of last year.”
This is astounding feedback to receive just one week after we handed the finished field over.
The addition of flood lighting has allowed the school to generate revenue from outside sources as well as cater for all their rugby and football trainings and physical education classes. For context, they have 15 rugby teams!
“Bringing all the benefits of our latest turf innovation… all while upholding the tradition and magic of The Gully, has been very special.”
What about results on the pitch?
The turf officially opened on Tuesday 2 May 2025. Boys’ High took on rivals, Auckland High, with the new turf providing the stage for football and rugby fixtures on its opening day. Winger, Cordea WipiiteBolan had the honour of scoring the first Boys’ High try in the second half of the opening clash and although Auckland High claimed victory in both first team rugby and football games, the new turf is already proving to be a huge win for the hosts.
What has this project meant to you?
It has been an absolute honor to have been entrusted with the reinvention of such a prestigious school field. Bringing all the benefits of our latest turf innovation from increased playing hours and enjoyment for the young athletes to better environmental performance, all while upholding the tradition and magic of The Gully, has been very special. This project will stay with me, and the team who spent 10 months pouring their expertise and passion into it, for a long time.
