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Greenlight for iwi-led new city centre playspace at Rutherford Park

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An overhead view of the city-centre playspace design concept

A brand-new playspace for Whakatū Nelson City, inspired by the cultural narrative of Te Wheke a Muturangi, will start construction next week, following completion of design and resource consent approval.

In May 2025, an 18-month progressive design and build process began under the leadership of the eight iwi of Te Tauihu, with funding of $3 million from Nelson City Council and the Government’s Better off Funding. This approach integrated construction expertise from the outset, ensuring the design remained ambitious while also being feasible, durable and deliverable.

Located at Rutherford Park, the final design, created with the help of a continuous community engagement process that generated more than 500 submissions, draws strongly on the natural landscapes of Whakatū and the cultural narrative of Te Wheke a Muturangi. Deeply connected to the people and places of Te Tauihu, this narrative provides structure and meaning for the playspace, with the form and movement of the wheke (octopus) inspiring the layout and how different play experiences unfold across the site.

A sketch showing the design concept of the city-centre playspace

The playspace design has been led by Isthmus, working in close partnership with iwi to create a unique space that speaks to its surroundings and celebrates the identity of Whakatū. With the design signed off and resource consent granted, local Nelson firm Kūmānu, which formed part of the design and build consortium, will lead construction.

Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui Chief Executive Justin Carter says the milestone highlighted the strength of iwi-led delivery and partnership with Council.

“This project shows what’s possible when iwi take a leadership role, and partners work together for the benefit of the whole community. The outcome is something we simply would not have achieved through a standard process.

“The design has embraced our narratives, been shaped by our people, and celebrates what makes this place unique. It’s a shared space that our community will know as their own.”

A sketch showing the design concept of the city-centre playspace

Nelson City Councillor James Hodgson said the start of construction was a significant moment for Nelson families.

“This playspace has been a long time coming. People have been calling for a truly great destination playground in the city for more than a decade,” says James.

“Play is about wellbeing, connection and creating places people want to be. This project shows how much stronger the outcome is when council works in partnership with iwi to deliver something with real character and identity--something that is distinctly Whakatū.”

Enabling works will commence on Wednesday 28 January 2026, following an iwi-led dawn blessing for the site. The playspace is expected to be open in time for summer 2026/2027.

Learn more here: https://www.kopu.nz/playspace-whakatu-information

Contact
Johny O’Donnell
Project Lead for Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu
E: johny@odandco.nz
M: +64 22 103 9104

Additional Notes:

  1. Community engagement has been continuous throughout the project. More than 500 submissions were received, and young people engaged through schools before design began. Hundreds more contributions were gathered through an interactive 3D model exhibited at Refinery ArtSpace and Elma Turner Library.
  2. Many of the most requested features have been included in the final design, including shade, seating, toilets, fenced areas, adventure play, and accessible facilities.
  3. The project is being led by the eight iwi of Te Tauihu in partnership with Nelson City Council, as part of efforts to revitalise the city through cultural design and identity.
  4. It is funded through a grant agreement comprising $2.4 million in central government Better Off funding and $613,000 in Long Term Plan funding from NCC.

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