A playspace for the people

A decade after the idea was first mooted, plans for an intergenerational playspace at Rutherford Park are finally swinging into action.

‘Playspace Whakatū’ is being led by Ngā Iwi o te Tauihu in partnership with Nelson City Council.

The $3 million project aims to create a culturally rich and inclusive playspace on a site spanning 3000 square metres, to be ready for play by the summer of 2026/27.

It is being primarily funded by the Government’s Better Off programme with a $600,000 contribution from the council’s long-term plan.

Project Lead and Ngā Iwi o te Tauihu spokesperson, Johny O’Donnell, says the aim is to create public space that celebrates the culture and identity of Whakatū.

“The playspace has been a long time coming,” he says of the project, which was first proposed by the council back in 2015.

“I’m a parent myself with a five-year-old and a six-month-old, we live right in the city centre and the play offering in the city here is pretty poor. I think there are a lot of people out there in the community who have been waiting for this project for a long time and have a really strong interest in seeing it happen.”

Johny says the site is “perfect” with its proximity to the city, port, and walking and cycling links.

“It’s accessible, connected, and visible,” he says. “And, from an iwi perspective, it’s on reclaimed land, so this would have been an original estuary environment. It sits on the ancestral river that’s recognised by all iwi here, and there’s an opportunity here to build something that reflects our local history, our shared story, sense of identity and sense of place.”

Johny says they have put an “ambitious” timeframe on the project, with 18 months allocated to design and build it.

“We want it to happen as quickly as possible, and that was one of the reasons why iwi stepped up to get engaged in the project, to help drive it.”

A design and build partner will be appointed next month, and until then, they want to hear from the community about what they would like to see at the new playspace.

“We want to know what, not just in terms of the play features, will make it a comfortable and safe experience. We want to ensure that we’re designing something that really works for the whole community, and that ultimately is a real draw card for the city and the wider region,” he says.

“We’re already hearing a lot of really helpful discussion around the likes of seating and shade.”

Johny says they will be continually updating and engaging with the community as work progresses and have also planned a workshop with accessibility groups.

“We want the space to be attractive for all whānau, somewhere they can connect, explore, and play, and a place they want to keep coming back to.”

Community engagement on the playspace is now open, and 200 tamariki have already had their say via school visits.

“Iwi were very clear that they wanted to start with tamariki… if this is to be a space where children and young people have a sense of connection and belonging, then that belonging needs to be there from the outset.”

To have your say, go to www.playspacewhakatu.nz before the end of March, or you can give feedback in person at all three of the region’s libraries or the Council Customer Service Centre.