Destination Play

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.

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.

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

Construction of Stage Two, once funding is confirmed, is expected in the first quarter of 2025. Timelines once confirmed will be communicated with the public.

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.

We’re giving people the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to their community and play a part in making our city an incredible place to live, work and play.

Already Taranaki people of a variety of means have made large and small contributions, including those who have given generous in-kind commitments.

Donations and additional funding will make the full vision of Destination Kāwaroa happen.

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.

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.

• 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.

NPDC as the asset owner has been responsible for the research, consultation, design, procurement and construction of the project. Through NP Partners, NPDC will invest further in site infrastructure, ongoing management and maintenance.

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.

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.

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 josh@taranakifoundation.org.nz

You can contribute here: Destination Play at Kāwaroa

If you wish to make a donation, and/or represent an organisation or business that wishes to be a partner in this ambitious community legacy project contact Taranaki Foundation CE, Josh Hickford – 027 4621412 josh@taranakifoundation.org.nz

You can also find more information about the project on the Taranaki Foundation site www.taranakifoundation.org.nz/destination-play/

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

The project delivery has a staged approach based on the confirmed funding available.
Stage One has been officially opened in December 2024. Stage Two will commence in early 2025 once funding is secured.

With Stage One now open, we are now looking to secure the remainder of Stage Two funding. We have successfully secured over $6.86M in funding for the project with just over $100,000 still to raise. Stage Two delivery is underway but will not be completed until the remaining funding is secured.

To date Destination Kāwaroa has over to $6.9M in confirmed funding for the project. This total forms all of Stage One with a shortfall for Stage Two funding currently being raised through philanthropic donations from organisations and individuals, sponsorship and other fundraising channels. This includes our community fundraising campaign where anyone from the community can contribute to the project at any level. You can donate here: Destination Play at Kāwaroa

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

With Stage One now open, we are now looking to secure the remainder of Stage Two funding. We have successfully secured over $6.86M in funding for the project with just over $100,000 still to raise. Stage Two delivery is underway but will not be completed until the remaining funding is secured.

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.

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.

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.

The Destination Kāwaroa project is led by the Taranaki Foundation in partnership with Mana whenua of Ngāmotu – New Plymouth, Ngāti Te Whiti, NP Partners and New Plymouth District Council.

NPDC as the asset owner has been responsible for the research, consultation, design, procurement and construction of the project. Through NP Partners, NPDC will invest further in site infrastructure, ongoing management and maintenance.