The children of Karangahake School were excited to turn up to school on a Saturday, where a shiny new playground was waiting for them to explore.
The school officially opened its $140,000 playground on October 11.
In attendance were most of the school community, along with Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams, kaumātua Hamuwera Raharaha from Ngātūhoihōi Marae, and Maree Clark from Playground Creations, which designed and built the structure.
The playground project began around three years ago, school principal Terry Watton said, when the Parent Teacher Association disbanded.
“They donated their surplus funds to the board to be used for a new playground,” he said.
“There have been numerous fundraising efforts and the participation of our community with all of these has been great. It’s awesome to have it finally here.”
The new playground replaced an older structure which had been installed in the late 90s.
It was designed with collaboration between Playground Creations and the school’s students, and prominently features the school colours of purple and green.
Along with funds raised by students and parents, the project also received grants from Akarana Community Trust, One Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust, Oceana Gold, the Valder Ohinemuri Charitable Trust, and the Lotteries Community Facilities Grant.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting by the school’s youngest and oldest students, Edie Vivian and Matt Howse, and a blessing by Hamu with help from the students.
