Destination Kāwaroa

Taranaki Foundation are the lead organisation managing the project fundraising, working together with New Plymouth District Council who are responsible for construction, management and operation and Ngāti Te Whiti who are providing input into all aspects of the design and execution of the project.

Stage One of Destination Kāwaroa opened on 18 December 2024, after a 9 month construction process.

Construction of Stage Two, is set to begin in May and is expected to open in July and Stage Three will follow, beginning in June and also set for completion in July 2025.

Car parking is now unaffected with Stage One opened. When Stage Two and Three Contruction commences, any impact on carparking will be communicated with the public and car park users.

The project team have been in partnership with mana whenua throughout. This includes local hapū Ngāti Te Whiti.  Some elements include:

• Maramataka physical features that highlight the Māori lunar calendar
• Sculptures of Te Wheke-a-Muturangi that highlights Kupe, an important figure in Māori folklore
• The star of Puanga and constellation of Matariki are incorporated into play space
• Sensory stimulation features include aspects of local Motu, flora and fauna
• Learning boards that detail not only the above but will provide te reo translation on all educational aspects.

NP Partners is a public-private partnership forum for business leaders, community leaders and entrepreneurs drawn together by a shared vision. We are committed to investing in the growth of our city and district, creating community value and impact through a Partner-led, Council-managed programme.

Destination Play is the first of NP Partners bold initiatives for our city and community.

As well as replacing an ageing playground facility, Destination Kāwaroa will transform this significant location into a major intergenerational educational and play resource.

The approx. 22,000 m² play area will include:

• Water, challenge and natural play features.
• Shared social spaces, seating, shelter and an outdoor classroom area.
• Better education of Kāwaroa reef encouraging natural exploration.
• A Maramataka feature that highlights the Māori lunar calendar.
• Agility and fitness equipment including a pump track, climbing platforms and swings.
• Learning hotspots aligned with local history, mana whenua and the NZ curricula.
• Better public facilities including changing rooms, toilets, parking and space for food trucks.

• By virtue of the ambition of its scale, nature, and site, Destination Kāwaroa will be transformational for our community.
• Destination Kāwaroa will create an inclusive, futuristic experience here in our backyard, contributing to community education and wellbeing across our region as well as becoming a renowned visitor attraction.

New Plymouth District Council will maintain and upkeep the play space and surrounding areas as they do with all other community playgrounds and recreational spaces that are council owned.

The funding Taranaki Foundation is providing to the project is from donors donating specifically to Destination Kāwaroa.

Through the generous support of Destination Kāwaroa donors & funders, supporters & partners, in-kind & contra sponsors, the fundraising goal and project budget of $7 million successfully achieved. This achievement ensures the completion of all planned stages, bringing the full vision to life.

These funds are outside of our funds under management and are not included in our annual funding round.

Read more about our Funding Round here.

You can contribute to the Legacy Fund here: Destination Kāwaroa Legacy Fund

To preserve and enhance Destination Kāwaroa for future generations, a dedicated legacy fund has been established.  The Destination Kāwaroa Fund enables individuals, families, businesses, trusts, and visitors to contribute, ensuring that this community asset continues to thrive.

If you wish to make a donation contact Taranaki Foundation CE, Josh Hickford – 027 4621412 [email protected]

All contributions $1,000 and greater will be recognised visually on site with a naming wall and in certain play areas.

The contribution levels are:

• Foundation Partners
• Kāwaroa Partners ($100k+ cash/in-kind)
• Products & Services Partners ($1k, $25k, $50k+ in-kind)
• Donors ($1k, $5k, $10k, $25k, $50k+ cash)

If you would like to discuss how you contribution will be recongised, options to make a large donation, and/or represent an organisation or business that wishes to be a partner contact Taranaki Foundation CE, Josh Hickford – 027 4621412 [email protected]

Yes. Not only will your gift help bring this community project fully to life, but your donation will also qualify for a tax rebate of 33.3% up to the limit of your taxable income.

See more about tax credits for donations on the IRD website

Over the last two years the project team have conducted a wide range of community consultations, which showed a strong need and support for the redevelopment of the existing playground and development of new play areas.

Feedback from this research showed that the existing playground lacked creative play experiences, were not inclusive for those with disabilities, were not multi-purpose and that the community strongly desired these traits in a play area.

Ngāti Te Whiti hapu are supportive of the playground and as project partner are collaborating on all aspects of the design and execution to fully incorporate the cultural narrative.

In addition, the redevelopment of the playground has the support of the New Plymouth District Council, Toi Foundation, NZCT, Sport Taranaki, Venture Taranaki and The Halberg Foundation.

The design concept has been completed by the New Plymouth District Council parks team. This has been in collaboration with Ngāti Te Whiti and a wide range of community stakeholders.

Various workshops have been carried out with local organisations, schools, and groups to get wide input to ensure the creation of a play space that can meet the needs of all users as best as possible. Some of the community stakeholders who have been involved: Conductive Education, Rainbow Youth, CCS, Sport Taranaki, Age Concern, NPDC Age and Accessibility Working Party, Blind Foundation and Deaf Aotearoa.

Play is essential for people of all ages and abilities.

Accessibility and inclusivity considerations have been considered and incorporated across the design elements including:

• The inclusion of a Changing Places toilet, accessible and uni-sex toilets and changing facilities.
• Mobility carparks, a new ramp access from the Coastal Walkway and a range of access points (steps, ramps).
• Various hard and non-slip surfaces, accessible water play and better access to the natural reef.
• There will also be accessible and inclusive play components and play opportunities.
• Destination Play tells a rich cultural story of the local area and hapū. This has been built into the design across all aspects.
• The design also incorporates the teaching curriculum into the play spaces to allow for schools to visit and use the various areas as outside classrooms.
• A range of experiences and spaces will be included in the 12 conceptually themed zones – including: Shared social spaces, gender neutral spaces, free to use BBQs, quiet and active zones, sensory stimulation, and a coastal plant garden.