Waihi Beach playground opens on Broadway

Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Waihi Beach community are celebrating the opening of another new playground– just in time for it to be enjoyed by locals and visitors over the summer holiday season.

The playground at the south end of Broadway Road, Island View, Waihi Beach was opened by Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber at a small ceremony last week also attended by Community Board members and Waihi Beach Primary School principal Rachael Coll and about 30 pupils.

The occasion was blessed by Kaumatua Roger Tuanau of Te Whanau a Tauwhao hapū of Ngai Te Rangi Iwi and the school pupils sang a waiata.

Council’s Landscape Architect Vanessa Davies says the opening was made very special by the presence of the school pupils and their heartfelt singing of the waiata. She hopes the community will make the most of the new playground over the summer.

“The real attraction of this spot in Waihi Beach is the beach and the dunes. The playground and the toilet are designed to complement anyone’s visit to those natural resources. It will be great to get some feedback over the summer as to how people have enjoyed it.”

In addition to the playground, the site has been upgraded with new fully accessible picnic tables and a new public toilet. An audit of the former playground in 2019 revealed the play equipment no longer met current safety standards and the toilet was also in need of replacement.

The playground design was inspired by its seaside location and, pairing the project with the addition of a new toilet and picnic tables, gave Council the opportunity to upgrade the entire site.