LOCALS AND VISITORS FIZZING OVER $2 MILLION MASTERTON SKATEPARK 

Wairarapa has extended its reach as a year-round visitor destination with a stunning new attraction guaranteed to super-charge thrill-seeking Generation Z'ers and mini-millennials.

The just completed $2 million skatepark redevelopment in Masterton is state-of-the-art and generating wide appeal from boarders and bikers all over the country.

Designed by the much lauded Rich Landscapes, the new facility builds on some of the old aspects of the original skatepark to create a new user experience featuring all of the traditional skatepark 'bells and whistles' plus much more. These include multiple ramps, quarterpipes, cantilevered quarterpipe pockets, a multi levelled box jump, hubba ledges, down ledges and handrails.'

The finished product is a skatepark of international standard set to make Masterton the envy of provincial New Zealand among the boarding and scooter and BMX-biking communities.

Located in central Masterton, the skatepark is on the edge of the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park and surrounding facilities. Among these is one of the best kid's playgrounds in New Zealand, a miniature train complex that has national appeal, pedal boats and an impressive arboretum. And across the iconic swing bridge over the Waipoua River is also a bmx track.

Opposite Queen Elizabeth Park is the Masterton Arts Precinct which also has rich offerings, such as the Aratoi Wairarapa Art & History Museum and the iconic Wool Shed Museum.

A recipient of a $1.3 million cash injection from the Government's Provincial Development Unit, and $700,000 from Masterton District Council, the skatepark is a stellar example of community collaboration.

A big focus of the project has been a partnership between park users and the Council to develop something that would be a genuine attraction to both locals and visitors, says Kane Harris, Masterton District Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisor – and a long-time skateboarder. This has meant direct engagement with the skateboard community, and people of all ages. Ultimately, feedback from these interactions influenced many of the design features, he says. "What we've finished up with is a nationally recognised skatepark that caters for all levels of users, from kids stepping on to the board for the first to old-school boarders." Kane says youth are going to have a "tonne of fun" at the new facility. "It is a place where they can go and hang out with friends, get physical and have a blast . . . surely so much better than staying at home playing on devices."

Skateboarding has been undergoing a renaissance in recent years as a growing number of young people favour the thrills and spills of four-wheeled daredevil over the more traditional hobbies and sports. A further shot-in-the-arm was the inclusion of skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics last year which helped to lift the profile and acceptance of it as a bonafide sport. 

In skateboarding circles Rich Landscape have loads of kudos and as the new skatepark has taken shape the interest from around the country has grown. "It is going to be a huge asset to Masterton, not just for locals but all of the people that it will bring to town."

Covid restrictions meant that an official opening has not been possible, however it is hoped that a skateboarding competition on 14 May will act as a double celebration and signal the beginning of a new facility that all of the community can be proud of.

The completion of the skatepark doesn't spell the end of construction in the area with plans to build a youth hub next to the skatepark. This will include an observation deck, a small coffee kiosk/food counter, toilets (including a disabled access bathroom), space for skate equipment, a meeting space, and informal hang-out areas.

The Ministry for Youth Development and Department of Internal Affairs is contributing $120,000 to the $540,000 for the project.