Kauri Heart
Nestled in the heart of the new housing development in Takanini, the Kauri Heart Reserve playground is the playful heart of this new neighbourhood. The design is the result of a collaborative effort between Auckland Council, Te Ākitai Waiohua and Waahi Wairua designs and was opened by Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman and Papakura Local Board Chairperson Brent Catchpole in May 2022.
The centrepiece of the playground is the Kompan Butterfly – a large climbing rope and steel climbing frame full of unusual climbing angles, hang-out spaces and accessible sensory features. The custom PlatinumPlay Tower has accessible stairs, 2m high tube slide and ground level interactive panels. For dynamic play the spinning, rocking Kompan Wehopper generates plenty of laughs as users defy gravity, and of course no good community playground would be complete with out a set of 3m high swings complete with a basket swing and the Duo Swings seat. This playground is a wonderful asset helping bring a new community together.
Special thanks to the following people for their efforts in bringing this playground to life:
Ivy Soulisa - Auckland Council, Landscape Architect
Jennice Stringer – Auckland Council, Project Manager
Kathleen Wilson - Te Ākitai Waiohua
Clynt White - Waahi Wairua designs
Papakura Local Board
