“The Cool Little Playground” is a finalist for the 2025 Āpōpō Asset Management Excellence Awards.

Cass Square Playground in Hokitika is a playground that truly stands out, reflecting our cultural heritage and untamed natural wilderness of the West Coast. Thanks to the collaboration between Westland District Council, Creo Space and the community, our playground is vibrant, colourful, inclusive and designed for everyone to enjoy. It’s a place where the community can gather, explore, and play.

All involved: Westland District Council, Creo Space

We envisioned a destination playground for locals and visitors. The challenge was creating a playspace for everyone that felt like a true community reflection. From the initial concept to the final design, Council and the community were involved every step of the way, ensuring the playground met the needs and desires of the Hokitika residents.

The design elements are rooted in Hokitika. Drawing inspiration from Hokitika’s wild beauty and cultural heritage, the design evolved into a natural and inviting space. The playground features wooden structures, dynamic flooring, and custom elements such as the clock tower climber and waka, which celebrates local Māori heritage, and is represented in different parts of this play space.

Accessibility was also a key focus, we wanted to ensure that the playground would be welcoming and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Our playground features interactive panels featuring sign language, braille and tactile elements.