Destination Kāwaroa secured a national accolade last night, winning the Beca Award for Excellence in Placemaking at the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.
Held in Wellington, the annual ceremony recognised the collaborative project as a standout example of public space development that reflects local identity.
New Plymouth District Council said the project, delivered in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti, the Taranaki Foundation and New Plymouth Partners, is a "vibrant foreshore space that celebrates Taranaki’s identity" and was "recognised by judges as a standout example of placemaking this year."
Transforming the old Kāwaroa Park playground into an intergenerational play and learning hub, the facility has become a significant fixture on the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.
Since its final stages opened in August 2025, the park has attracted up to 2,000 visitors daily.
Visitors can access water play features, a pump track, a specialised reef-themed sensory zone and a striking Matariki play tower that rises above the coastline.
Cultural narratives provided by mana whenua are woven throughout the site, including features that highlight the Māori lunar calendar and sculptures representing traditional stories.
Funding and planning for the project began nearly five years ago as a joint community effort led by the Taranaki Foundation.
Responsibility for the construction, management and operation remains with the local council, supported by the Destination Kāwaroa Legacy Fund.
