Te kohanga taiao sensory nature play park

Te Kohanga Taiao is a sensory nature play park on Brooker Avenue in Burwood, set on former earthquake red zone land as part of the Avon-Otakaro ecological corridor. The Maori name translates as a nature-based learning environment, and the park lives up to that concept with its focus on native ecology and child-led discovery.

Equipment

This is not a conventional playground. Instead of manufactured structures, the site features weta hotels and apartments built at community workshops held at Phillipstown Community Hub, recycled tunnels decorated with a native butterfly mural, large logs and rocks for climbing and jumping, and an Active Zone with balance, climbing, and jumping opportunities between log elements. A learn-to-cycle circuit and a cycle pumptrack extend the active play options.

History and Cultural

Te Kohanga Taiao opened in June 2024, funded by a contribution of more than $60,000 from Hummingbird Coffee and designed and built by The Green Lab. The park forms part of the restoration planting programme run by the Avon-Otakaro Forest Park Trust, creating a green corridor along the Otakaro/Avon River through what was once a densely populated residential area before the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

Access and Inclusion

Street parking is available on Brooker Avenue. Corsers Stream runs behind the site, so close supervision of toddlers near the water is advised. Dogs are welcome.

Practical Info

Maintained by Christchurch City Council Parks. Smokefree and vape-free policy applies.

: Chris Lynch Media, "Christchurch's newest sensory nature space opens in Burwood", 2024 : Avon Otakaro Network, brooker-avenue page