Construction to start on Hamilton’s first central city playground

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Hamilton’s central city is getting its first ever play space, with construction at Hinemoa Park set to kick off this week.

The new playground is part of a raft of city council improvements getting underway at Hinemoa Park and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Parks and Recreation unit director Maria Barrie said the new play space would cater to the growing number of families living in and around the central city.

'With around 12,000 residents living within walking distance of Hinemoa Park, this new play space will fulfil an important role in the community and help make the park a place where people gather, play and enjoy spending time with their friends and whaanau.”

The playground’s design was shaped by community feedback collected in July and August last year and developed in partnership with mana whenua.

It reflects the story of Hinemoa, the senior wife of chief Wairere, and incorporates the values of manaakitanga (hospitality and kindness), aroha (love), kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and whanaungatanga (relationship, kinship).

The playground will have separate areas for older and younger children and include climbing structures, swings, slides, and spinners. It will also include a basketball half court, skateable areas, and water play areas.

Other improvements will be made at Hinemoa Park during construction on the play space, including installing new and upgraded path connections, enhancing the gardens, adding signage about the park’s history, and repairing the Dame Hilda Ross Memorial Fountain which holds Category B heritage significance.

Barrie said the park had a rich history, with the planned changes set to further add to its story.

“We look forward to completing the work and seeing our community enjoying the enhanced space.”

The off-street carpark on Norton Rd will temporarily close to the public during construction.

More information can be found at hamilton.govt.nz/hinemoapark.