Planning afoot for new papa ta¯karo in Tu¯rangi’s Te Kapua Park

Tu¯rangi’s Te Kapua Park is set to welcome a new destination papa ta¯karo (playground), now in development thanks to a partnership between Nga¯ti Tu¯rangitukua and the Taupo¯ District Council.

After a request from the Tu¯rangi Tongariro Community Board, the papa ta¯ karo was planned for in council’s annual plan this year, with a putea (budget) of $460,000 for the first phase of the kaupapa (project).

Project sponsor John Ridd said the concept design phase was under way in consultation with landowners Nga¯ti Tu¯rangitukua. A steering group, including representatives from the iwi and the community board has been established to oversee the mahi.

“The idea is for the playground to be located alongside the Tu¯rangi skate park as an extension of that play space and aimed at younger children, up to about 12 years old,” he said.

“The idea is to create a destination playground that merges in with the landscape, has a connection with the land and stories of Tu¯ rangi, and is a great source of entertainment for local children and visitors.”

Bespoke Landscape Architects, which designed the Tongariro Domain papa ta¯karo in Taupo¯ due to be built this year, is creating the concept plans for Te Kapua Park.

Ridd said the scope of this first phase would be determined by the feedback from iwi and the community and the design of the papa ta¯karo.

Nga¯ti Tu¯rangitukua Ma¯ori Committee chairman Jeff Bennett said the papa ta¯karo would be an asset for Tu¯ rangi locals and visitors alike, and the theme would revolve around the Tongariro Awa (River).

“The river is a significant area for this end of the lake . . . It is great to be able to share one of the stories about our river. I believe people taking advantage of the playground will appreciate the story and it will add to their experience.”

The next stage is to refine the concept design in coming weeks. Community feedback will then be sought and a building date set.

Old equipment currently behind the nearby Turtle Pools was deemed to be in a state of disrepair and would likely be disassembled and removed.