What was the project?

The Kerikeri Domain Revitalisation Project involved a much-anticipated redesign of a popular public space in the Bay of Islands. Key elements of the revamp included a completely redesigned skate park and the addition of a full-sized basketball court. Kiwi skateboarding legend Dave Crabb and his company Circle D Construction masterminded the skate park redesign.  The basketball court area was designed by ĀKAU and constructed by Buildflex.

Prior to Christmas 2021, the skate park was opened to allow skaters to try out the reconstructed ramps and jumps. In late February 2022 a ‘soft opening’ was held for the newly completed basketball court and remaining skate park elements. This included a new skate bowl and street skate focused area, which doubled the size of the skate area now available to the public. New seating, drinking fountains and pathways rounded out the facilities opened at this time.

The new children's playground opened in August 2022, with shade sails installed over the playground in February 2023. A new barbeque area with stainless steel barbeque was also installed next to the playground in February. Fitness equipment, including a push-up bar, sit-up bench and leg-lift and parallel bars were also installed.

A series of artworks brought the finishing touches to the revitalisation of the domain. The Kia Piki te Ora mural on the skate ramp now welcomes people to the domain and a series of graffiti art works brighten the inside of the largest skate bowl.

In March 2023 the Kerikeri Vert Jam skate competition was held at the new skate park, attracting talent from across the country as well as a crowd of spectators. It was the sixth annual Vert Jam meet in Kerikeri but the first to take place at the new skate park.

The Kerikeri Domain Revitalisation Project was initially funded with $3 million from the government’s COVID Response and Recovery Fund. During the project, the council contributed an additional $780,000, which has seen significant improvements to the project's original scope, including to the stormwater catchment system at the domain.