Waitohi’s tuatahi rā whānau a success!

Residents from far and wide came to play at Waitohi Community Hub’s first birthday! Hundreds of people joined in the different activities available in Memorial Park, the library, and courtyard throughout the day.

Young people and adults had fun playing volleyball, tennis or taking part in the rākau challenges and Tug-of-War. Others got creative with painting or chalk drawing and learning new skills in the library’s Hive makerspace, or took up the challenge of Giant Jenga and Connect Four in the courtyard.

In-between all the fun and action, MP for Ōhāriu, Greg O’Connor and Councillor Jill Day shared a few words about the Hub before everyone tucked into the fabulous birthday cakes.

They both highlighted how successful Waitohi has become as the vibrant heart of Wellington's northern suburbs, with people of all ages and interests visiting regularly from near and far exceeding all expectations.

Many people in attendance said they couldn’t believe the Hub had only been open for a year, and how it has become a vital part of the community and their lives.

Greg OConnor Councillor Jil Day cutting the cake at Waitohi's first birthday.

A child in a purple hat, and a girl in a yellow t-shirt, having fun with bubbles in front of the playground at Waitohi.

Three children enjoy a game of giant Connect Four, with a band playing music in the background, standing in front of Waitohi.

A man and a young kid practicing their boxing moves in gloves on the grass outside Waitohi.

Children and adults on a grassy field enjoying the rakau challenge with sticks at the Waitohi first birthday community day.

A table of children playing with playdough at a low table.

Two groups at either end of the tug of war rope, which is now on the ground, with winners arms up in defeat.

Children playing with a Lego circle outdoors on the concrete, with parents supervising from a wooden bench.

Children throwing eggs to each other as part of the egg races, with Waitohi building in the background.

Some comments from the public included:

“Thank you for making our park so much more than grass and a playground - we’ve loved it.”

“This place is fantastic – but having the extra play events where we can bring the kids is even better. It would be great if these types of activities could be available in the park and courtyard more often, but I know that requires extra work and the staff here already do a great job.”

“We love the Hub and we’re down here nearly every day as there’s so much to do from swimming to reading or events at the library, or just playing in the park. We treat it like our back yard.”

Thank you to everyone who came to make Waitohi’s party magic! Special thanks for to the Swing Club Ukulele Group who led everyone in singing rā whānau kia koe, the teams from Everyone Out, Angela Goodall Dance Company, Capital Wolves Volleyball, Common Ground Waitohi, Johnsonville Tennis Club, Waitohi Kindergarten, Johnsonville Library, Johnsonville Community Centre, Swimwell and Keith Spry Pool.

You can join more fun events across the city including Nairnville’s Whānau Play Day on Sunday 20 December and Wāhi Kōrero Linden Community Centre on Friday 15 January 2021.