New life for a 30-year-old Te Awamutu playground

Te Awamutu’s 30-year-old Hiskens Reserve playground is getting a much-needed renewal. Construction is kicking off in mid-September to create a vibrant, modern play space in one of Waipā’s most child-populated neighbourhoods.

The existing equipment is reaching the end of its life and beginning to cause safety concerns, with some of the play elements already removed due to their condition.

Hiskens Reserve is the only playground within a 20-minute walk of the area, which is home to more children than any other part of the Waipā District.

The design will celebrate Te Awamutu’s local heritage, drawing inspiration from the historic Pekapekarau flour mill, once part of a thriving Māori agricultural hub in the Waikato.

Community services manager Brad Ward said making sure there’s a safe, fun space for tamariki to play is really important.

“The alternative would be to remove the playground altogether, which we don’t want to do. Playgrounds help build connected communities,” he said.

The community was invited to share ideas on what would best suit their neighbourhood. That feedback helped shape the design, which will include equipment suitable for under-fives as well as six to 10-year-olds.

Ward said the upgrade is part of Council’s renewal programme, “it’s not an extra or unexpected cost. We planned and budgeted for the renewal in the 2025–34 Long Term Plan, which was consulted on with the community - the project aligns with Council’s priorities of maintaining existing levels of service and looking after our existing assets for the community”.

Designed by BrodieHailwood, the playground will be installed by Fluhler Contracting.