Kaikohe's Memorial Park reopened in 2023 around a wheelchair accessible playground, next to a basketball court painted in a bold Niho Taniwha pattern that local kids helped design. One street south of the town centre, it is a handy Northland stop for running off a long car trip.
Equipment
The Far North District Council lists a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, in-ground trampolines, slides, a sand play area, swings and an eagles' lair rope climbing tower.1 Samba drums went in with the slides and swings.4 The in-ground trampolines and sand suit toddlers, while the rope tower and the park's large skatepark draw older kids. Soft fall bark mulch surrounds a coloured rubber safety surface.1
Access and Inclusion
Access was the point of the upgrade: the council set out to build a wheelchair accessible playground and picnic area where whānau can meet, play and relax, plus a learn-to-ride and balance track for tamariki and a wide loop track linking every part of the park.2
History and Cultural
The $750,000 revamp ran late through wet weather, supply chain delays and vandalism of new equipment before the playground reopened in March 2023.1 At the dawn blessing that June, pou at the Station Road entrance were unveiled telling the story of Rahiri and his sons, with a wheke for Kaikohekohe.2 The court came first, in 2019: girls from Kaikohe Intermediate inspired its blue and orange halves.3 Landscape architects ĀKAU then designed the park masterplan with local taitamariki.5
Practical Info
There are picnic tables, seating and barbecues,2 and reviewers mention big trees and shaded benches. Visitors find roadside parking easy, with more at the shops across the road, including The Warehouse and McDonald's. The upgrade added an accessible toilet block,2 but reviews differ on how close the toilets are, and one visitor found only one working and the park untidy. Kaikohe Library Reserve is a short walk away.
