A new space of connection, culture and play – in the heart of Whakatū.

Right in the heart of Whakatū, Playspace Whakatū is a flagship project led by Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu to breathe life back into the city through play, culture, and connection. It’s a kaupapa that brings together our stories and our aspirations – a place where tamariki can explore, whānau can gather, and our stories are expressed with pride and joy. 

Set alongside the Mahitahi, this space will be bold, beautiful and alive with meaning. It’s a return to the idea that public space should feel like us – that it should honour our tīpuna, reflect our culture, and respond to the way we live as a community. From the first sketch to the final screw, every decision is shaped by iwi values – ensuring authenticity, mana, and a sense of tūturu in the design and experience.

Cultural expression will be embedded in every part of the design. That means play equipment informed by pūrākau and natural form. Materials that speak to the whenua. Textures, names, and structures that honour the stories of this place. Designed with accessibility, climate resilience and creative learning in mind, it will be a place where tamariki can build confidence and connection to each other and to this place and her story.