Summer activities bring the buzz to Te Aro Park

Te Aro Park is a special place for mana whenua and Wellingtonians due to the significant Māori history it represents on the former site of Te Aro Pā. Revitalising the area is an opportunity to work with mana whenua and the wider community to uplift the history of the Pā and celebrate the park as a bustling inner-city green space. 

Following the upgrades to Dixon Street and the toilet removal, these activities aim to elevate awareness of the Pā and encourage people to experience and enjoy the park in different ways through free, small-scale activities delivered in partnership with community and social service partners. These activities will run until the end of March.  

What’s on:  

• Raranaga (Traditional Maori weaving) 
• Yoga classes – Tuesdays, 7am-8am  
• Te Pokapū Hapori Kids Play – Wednesdays, 10am-12pm  
• DCM waiata  – Monday and Friday Mornings at 9am  
• Zeal Friday night hangs – Fridays, 4pm-6pm  

Libby Forbes, Programme Coordinator from Te Pokapū Hapori says the team are enjoying being part of a positive change in the park.  

"It’s great to be out and about, enjoying the sun and taking our programmes from inside Te Pokapū Hapori outside to Te Aro Park. We are humbled to be included in the efforts to restore the mana of the area. We look forward to our future activities that we plan to run and would love for as many people in the community to come and join us.” 

A play box has also been installed to inspire children and adults to create and find everyday fun. Inside the box you’ll find all sorts, from chalk and bubbles to foam frisbees, Jenga and old pieces of pipe. No matter your age it’s an invitation to take five, get creative and lose yourself in the power of play. Play enables kids to navigate change, learn, rest and move in a way which is fundamental to childhood. We dare you to pause and play a while at Te Aro Park.  

The summer programme of activities comes as part of the Pōneke Promise, a Council led partnership with the goal of improving safety and vibrancy in the central city. 

The Pōneke Promise is delivering on four focus areas: reducing harm, improving public spaces, increasing community spaces and increasing business confidence. It’s the holistic approach to improving safety that acknowledges the need for these four areas to work together for the best community outcomes. To read more about the programme visit the Pōneke Promise webpage.  

Find out more about what’s on over on the Te Pokapū Hapori website or follow our social media for updates.