Hopukiore (Mount Drury) play area upgrade

Hopukiore (Mount Drury) play area is ready for a refresh, and we need your help make it even more awesome!

Feedback is now open

As a much-loved area of Mount Maunganui, Hopukiore is known for its cultural significance, open spaces, superb lookout, and of course, its playground. With the playground due for an upgrade, it’s an exciting opportunity to upgrade the whole play area – including the playground and open space around it – to create a vibrant space for all ages, abilities, locals, and visitors to enjoy. Dream big and share your ideas – you’ll help shape a play space that reflects our community’s values, honours our cultural identity, and is inclusive and fun for everyone.

Tell us what you love about the current play area, what you wish it had, and what questions you’ve been wondering.

Community feedback opens on Monday, 9 December 2024 and will run until 5pm, Monday, 17 February 2025

Share your thoughts

Got kids at home who are keen to share their ideas? Pick up a ‘Dream it, Draw it’ feedback form at Te Ao Mārama - Mount Maunganui Library or save and print a copy here. You can email it to us at hopukiore@tauranga.govt.nz, or post it to:

Engagement Manager: Spaces and Places
Tauranga City Council
Freepost Authority Number 370
Private Bag 12022
Tauranga 3143

On-site feedback sessions

We’ll also be hosting an on-site sessions at Hopukiore playground on Wednesday, 12 February from 10am to 12pm, and Saturday, 15 February from 11am to 1pm. Drop by to share what you love, wish and wonder about the space. It’s a great opportunity to have your say in person!

We want to hear…

What you love about the Hopukiore play area
Tell us the things that make the Hopukiore play area feel special to you! Is it the shady trees, the places to sit and chat, the cool play equipment? Share your favourite things and anything that should stick around as part of the upgrade!

What you wish the Hopukiore play area had
Get creative! What’s missing that would make Hopukiore even better? Something to spin, climb or jump on? More spots to relax? Fun ways to use your imagination while you play? Dream big and share your wishes.

What you wonder about the Hopukiore play area
Have questions about what’s planned for Hopukiore? Are you curious about the area’s history? Want to know how the upgrade fits into the broader work across our spaces and places? Tell us what you wonder—we’re here to listen and keen to share answers to your questions as we develop a plan.

FAQ's

Why are we upgrading the play area?

The Hopukiore playground was originally constructed in 2008. As it’s due for an upgrade, we’re working to make the whole play area even better for children, whānau, and visitors of all ages and abilities.

How will my ideas shape the concept design?

Your feedback will be a crucial part of the design process, helping guide what the play area looks like and what playground equipment will be included. We’ll also be talking to key stakeholders such as the Accessible City Interest Group, local schools and kura, and our iwi and hapū partners, to get their input. We’ll review all suggestions and use them as a starting point to create a design that is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

How can my child share their ideas?

As the experts in play, we’d love to hear kids’ ideas! You can involve your child in the process by sharing their feedback via the online form, or by picking up a ‘Draw it, Dream it’ feedback form at Te Ao Mārama - Mount Maunganui Library for them to draw or write down their ideas. These can be submitted via a feedback box located at the Mount Maunganui Library, or send us a photo at hopukiore@tauranga.govt.nz.

Who can share feedback?

Feedback is open to everyone—locals, visitors, and anyone who loves the area!

How will the final design be decided?

After collecting your feedback, we’ll work to develop a concept shaped by the community’s ideas. The concept design will be shared with the community in early to mid-2025 for further input, before construction begins in early 2026.

What’s happening to the Liberty Swing?

To ensure the safety of our community, the Liberty Swing is being removed as it has reached the end of its life. But don’t worry - we’ve got big plans to bring even more fun, inclusive play equipment to the Hopukiore play area! Have some cool ideas? Make sure to share them with us.