CPlay volunteers, collaboratied with our local community, professional playground designers and suppliers to create a new playground at Caroline Bay in Tiamru.

There are many stories that have inspired themes in the playground, including a Pacific-inspired area as a nod to the peoples culture, heritage, fauna and flora,, aiming to provide a unique and meaningful experience for children and families in our community.

At the heart of this pacifica area is a "rocker" play equipment piece, designed to resemble the stamens and petals of a vibrant yellow tropical flower to connect to the Pacific.

In addition to the flower-themed equipment, the area has pops of pinks and purple colours within the play surface and interactive musical instruments. These elements create a dynamic and inviting space that encourages exploration, creativity, performance, learning and play.

This Pacific-inspired play area enables children and families gather to enjoy this special space, they'll immerse themselves in the vibrant colors and symbolism that these flowers represent, fostering a deeper connection to the Pacific's traditions and stories.

The playground also pays homage to the Kermadec Trench, a submarine trench in the South Pacific Ocean, where the Tuna (eels) embark on their remarkable life journey, laying their eggs.

The Pacific is indeed the ancestral homeland of the Māori people. The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, and their ancestors are believed to have migrated to New Zealand from eastern Polynesia, which is located in the central and eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean.

Polynesia covers a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, extending from the Hawaiian Islands in the north to New Zealand in the southwest and Easter Island in the southeast. It encompasses a wide range of latitudes and longitudes. Polynesia's rich history, cultures, and geographic diversity make it a fascinating and culturally significant region within the Pacific Ocean. It has played a crucial role in the understanding of human migration and exploration of the world's largest ocean. Polynesia includes island nations such as Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Cook Islands, Tuvalu, American Samoa, Niue, Wallis and Futuna, Tahiti, and the Pitcairn Islands. The ancestors of the Māori came from islands in eastern Polynesia, which includes places like Tahiti and the Cook Islands. These islands are located in the central and eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean.

Different Pacific island cultures are known for their unique symbols and flowers, each carrying its own special significance. For example:

• Hawai'i: The hibiscus, the state flower of Hawai'i, is a symbol of the islands' beauty and aloha spirit.

• Tahiti: The fragrant Tiare Tahiti, or Tahitian gardenia, represents purity and love in Tahitian culture.

• Fiji: The tagimoucia flower, exclusive to Fiji, holds cultural significance and represents the nation's natural beauty.

• Samoa: Plumeria flowers, commonly used in Samoan leis, signify positivity and new beginnings.

• Tonga: The heilala flower, also known as the Tongan ginger, is Tonga's national flower, symbolizing love and respect.

• Kermadec Trench, (submarine trench in the floor of the South Pacific Ocean) where the Tuna (eels) continue their life cycle to lay eggs. Tuna are a Māori taonga (treasure).

According to Māori oral traditions and archaeological evidence, the ancestors of the Māori people arrived in New Zealand in a series of voyages in waka (canoes) over a thousand years ago. These voyages are often collectively referred to as the Great Migration or the Great Fleet, and they are a significant part of Māori cultural history.

The Māori culture, with its rich history and strong ties to nature, is celebrated here. A giant Tuna (eel) has been incorporated into the playground design, inspired by its significance as a taonga (treasure) to Māori.Tuna such as longfin ell (Anguilla dieffenbachii), have a unique life cycle that involves long migrations to spawn in the open ocean, embodying the Māori's deep connection to the environment and their traditional use of fish and eels for sustenance. The concept of "mahika kai" or "working the food" is central to this design, emphasizing the value of natural resources and ecosystems. It underscores the importance of managing and protecting these resources, a practice that remains integral to Ngāi Tahu values and culture.

Also in the tuna mound,  the Southern Cross and Luna moon cycle has been incorporated into the play surface.

The Māori ancestors' navigation to New Zealand was a remarkable achievement rooted in their expert knowledge of celestial navigation, ocean currents, and natural cues. They used celestial navigation techniques by observing stars and constellations to determine direction and latitude. They were attuned to ocean currents' behavior, studied the movements of birds, marine life, and cloud formations, all of which signaled the proximity of land. Māori navigators also recognized distinctive wave patterns near coastlines and submerged features. This traditional knowledge was passed down through generations and included the use of a "pilot star" and specific guiding stars. Their navigation skills, preserved through oral tradition, enabled them to undertake challenging voyages across the vast Pacific Ocean, ultimately settling in New Zealand.

Carolne Bay Playground can be a place where cultures converge, stories are told, and children learn about the world around them through play and exploration.

CPlay Drone Photo By Jack Rushton 

CPlay Tuna Eel mound progress - Photo by Roselyn Fauth

CPlay Tuna Eel mound progress - Photo by Roselyn Fauth

CPlay Tuna Eel mound progress - Drone Photo by Jack Rushton