Māhia Playground & multi-Sport courts

Volunteer group Ngā Manu o Taiharuru led the kaupapa and fundraising which resulted in the renewal of the children’s playground, upgrading the GC Ormond Reserve sports green to a multisport surface and the development of a multi-use pump track at Māhia Beach.

The Ngā Manu o Taiharuru project team comprised whānau and community volunteers, the Māhia Social Club and the Mahisian Wave Warriors.   “We came together with the shared aspiration to create better recreation and play spaces in Mahia,” said Māhia resident and volunteer Hannah Coop, one of the drivers behind the project.

Ngā Manu o Taiharuru formalised in 2021 as advocates for improving recreation and play spaces for tamariki and whānau in Mahia.  The new playground and courts are on land owned and managed by Wairoa District Council, which will maintain the facilities on behalf of the community.

“We committed to raising over $600,000 for this stage of the kaupapa which we’ve managed through Wairoa District Council, Eastern and Central Community Trust, Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, First Light Foundation and the generosity of private and commercial donors.”

The courts will bring significant community benefit, creating year-round access to social recreation and sport for all ages and abilities.  The multisport courts are marked for tennis, netball and basketball. The all-weather turf allows for casual and concurrent formal play as teams, groups or independently.   

David Clapperton, ECCT’s Chief Executive, attended the opening ceremony and brought along sports equipment, various sports balls kindly provided by one of our partners iSport.  The Tamariki and rangatahi had a wonderful time at the opening, despite the rainy day!

This grant aligns with a number of our Priority Communities (Tamariki & Rangatahi, People living rurally, Northern Hawke’s Bay and Māori & Pasifika.   Furthermore, it supports the outcomes under our  Tū Māori Mai, Mana Taurite & Hononga Pou.