Hopukiore (Mount Drury) play area upgrade

It’s nearly time to refresh the play area at Hopukiore (Mount Drury), and we need your help to pick the play equipment and layout!

As a much-loved area of Mount Maunganui, Hopukiore is known for its cultural significance, open spaces, superb lookout, and of course, its playground.

Earlier this year, you told us what you love about the playground and what you wish it could have. We loved all your inspired ideas – from obstacle courses and sand pits to mouse wheels and musical features.

With your ideas, site considerations, and stakeholder input in mind, we’ve put together some exciting play equipment options and two layouts. Now, it’s over to you!

Make your playground picks!

Tell us which options you prefer between 16 October and 5pm, Monday 10 November 2025.

What do you want to see at Hopukiore?

Please note: the concepts shown in the survey are for illustrative purposes only. Final selections will be based on survey feedback.

What will the playground include?

We have technical and site-specific considerations to work within, such as the boundaries of the reserve and the open land which we want to preserve, the pathway through the site, as well as the placement of some play equipment. We’ll also have plenty of shade – so you can keep cool whether you’re getting stuck in the fun or watching from the sidelines.

No matter which layout or equipment is chosen, the playground at Hopukiore will feature:

Hopukiore Reserve birds eye view of playground layout

1. Pathway: through the reserve, connecting those coming from the beach through to the toilets and Maunganui Road

2. Accessible elevation: A raised mound to play on, which allows elevated play without excavation – respecting archaeological conditions and drainage in the area

3. Existing equipment: The existing slide and spinner climbing net will be retained as they’ve got plenty of play left in them.

4. Fenced zone – inclusive play: A welcoming fenced space that supports neurodiverse users while remaining open and inviting to all. It’s part of the wider inclusive play on offer across the playground inspired by your feedback, with plenty of fun ways to bounce, swing, and spin.

Your feedback from the Love, Wish, Wonder campaign has already influenced the below, and we’d love to hear how important each of these elements are to you:

5. Sensory water play: using low-water-use features such as misters

6. Junior zones – sand and non-sand play: Two separate junior play zones will be created – one with sand and one without – to reflect different preferences from the community.

7. Flying fox: Many people told us they’d love a flying fox, so we’re putting in a 30m one that includes an accessible seat. We’ve located it in the only space long and clear enough to make it safe and fun.

8. Mouse wheel: we heard you really wanted a fun running, spinning experience and some people wanted a mouse wheel.

9. Active zone – bigger play challenge: We heard people wanted a bigger play challenge, so we’ve got some exciting options for the active zone for you to help choose from, including a slackline, or ninja wall.

You can give your feedback on these and tell us what other equipment you want to see through the survey online, or in-person at an engagement event in November 2025.

We’re also talking to key stakeholders such as local schools and kura, and iwi and hapū partners to deliver our final concept before construction begins in early 2026.

FAQ's

Why are we upgrading the play area?

The Hopukiore (Mount Drury) playground has been a much-loved icon since the 1960s. As it’s due for an upgrade, we want to make this vibrant space even better for children, whānau, and visitors of all ages and abilities. This upgrade offers us a valuable opportunity to make the play space more accessible to and inclusive of our disabled and neurodivergent community.

Who will the upgraded playground be suitable for?

The playground will aim to cater for a range of different ages, with a focus on improving overall accessibility.

Will this upgrade incorporate history of the area?

We’re working with our iwi and hapū partners to incorporate cultural values and narratives into the play area and surrounds. We’re also exploring the possibility of incorporating some nostalgic storytelling of Hopukiore's (Mount Drury) bygone era.

How will my ideas shape the concept design?

Feedback is a crucial part of the design process, helping guide what the play area might look like and what playground equipment might be included. We’re also talking to key stakeholders such as the Accessible City Interest Group, local schools and kura, and our iwi and hapū partners, to get their input. We’re consolidating all the feedback we receive to use as a starting point to create a design that is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

How will my child's ideas shape the concept design?

Feedback is a crucial part of the design process, helping guide what the play area might look like and what playground equipment might be included. We’re also talking to key stakeholders such as the Accessible City Interest Group, local schools and kura, and our iwi and hapū partners, to get their input. Based on the feedback we received during the Love, Wish, Wonder campaign that ran from December 2024 - February 2025, we’ve put together a selection of play equipment and two layout options designed to be fun and inclusive.

Who can share feedback?

Feedback is open to everyone—locals, visitors, and anyone who loves the area!

What’s happening to the current play equipment?

Tauranga Moana is home to more than 100 playgrounds, many of which were originally constructed in the 1990s. This means that some existing play equipment is nearing end of life and needs to be renewed for safety reasons. We will be upgrading some of the play equipment at Hopukiore (Mount Drury) for both safety reasons and to make the play space more accessible to and inclusive of our disabled and neurodivergent community. We’ve also looked at how some of the newer equipment can be retained in the refresh. For example, the existing slide and spinner climbing net are staying as they have plenty of play left in them.

What’s happening to the Liberty Swing?

To ensure the safety of our community, the Liberty Swing was removed as it had reached the end of its life. But don’t worry - we’ve got big plans to bring even more fun, inclusive play equipment to the Hopukiore (Mount Drury) play area! We will have a safe, welcoming fenced space that supports neurodiverse users while remaining open and inviting to all. We’ll also have a range of inclusive play on offer across the playground, including swings, an inclusive spinner, an accessible carousel with wheelchair access, slides, a large accessible trampoline, and more.