Hayman Park Playground - Manu-kau Noa Iho, a jewel of South Auckland, has garnered two prestigious awards, cementing its reputation as one of the finest playgrounds in New Zealand.
Thanks to a collaboration of many diverse partners from all walks of life, who made the dream of Hayman Park (Manu-kau Noa Iho) Playground a phenomenal success.
The epic adventure play space at Hayman Park (Manu-kau Noa Iho) opened in September 2023 and has won several prestigious awards including:
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a Planning and Urban Design award for its stunning Playtower and Kiosk in the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects
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Followed by an Excellence award in the Playspaces category in the 2024 Resene New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) Awards.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board deputy chair Vi Hausia.
Hayman Park (Manu-kau Noa Iho) playground is a unique, inclusive, and popular playground and has fast become known as a destination playground. It comprises natural play, early-childhood focussed play, accessible play, and at 12.8m, the tallest play tower in NZ.
With its bright colours in the rubber surface and timber detailing, it draws influence from its Pasifika communities celebrating Manukau’s diverse culture, helping to create a space that is unique to the neighbourhood and its people.
Manukau Ward Councillor Lotu Fuli shares her absolute pleasure to see the destination playground recognised and receiving accolades for its design, planning, architectural beauty, and functionality.
“During my time as chair for Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board, it was always a priority to deliver playspaces that are fit for purpose, inclusive and of high quality. We always believed that our community deserves beautiful as well as functional facilities.
Photo's courtesy of Eke Panuku.
“Many thanks to chair Apulu and the local board, for their continued leadership and advocacy in this project and the team at Eke Panuku, who were open minded and listened to our community's feedback. Congratulations to the planning and design team and architects who brought the ideas and aspirations of our communities to life. The greatest reward, is seeing our tamariki and their families enjoying the playground, their laughter and joy filling the Manukau skies.”
Local tamariki enjoying the park and filling the Manukau skies with laughter.
Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “With the youngest population in the city, Manukau requires play equipment that is both appropriate and inclusive for our diverse communities. It is even better that it is in the heart of South Auckland.
“We have long heard from our people that they felt like they had to travel outside our area to take their kids to other better playgrounds. Now we see visitors come to our area to enjoy, with our local families, a destination playground that we are all proud of. Our locals now tell us, South Auckland has quality facilities too.”
Eke Panuku Priority Location Director, Richard Davison adds that it was time to go big and bold with a playspace in Manukau commenting, “Hayman Park (Manu-kau Noa Iho) destination playground is part of a significant regeneration programme by Eke Panuku, aimed at enhancing the urban landscape and fostering increased investment in housing and amenities in Manukau.”
Elements of the Hayman Park (Manu-kau Noa Iho) playground.
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