Playspace Design and Build
Mangere Central School
Auckland
Mangere Central School new playspace tells a story through fun, learning and challenging features. It’s an engaging space that tells their local cultural narrative.
Client:
Mangere Central School
Location:
Auckland
Mangere Central School in Auckland has been a cornerstone of its community for years, proudly serving its 100% Pasifika student body. With the recent focus on upgrading various parts of the school, it was finally time to turn attention to the junior school playground. The goal? To create an outdoor space that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the school while providing a fun and safe environment for students to play and learn year-round.
A Vision Inspired by Heritage
“We really loved our journey working with Creo to develop our playground based on our narrative and our school culture,” said Principal Jacqueline McDonald. The school had spent two years studying the Pacific navigation history of their ancestors, inspiring the design of a playground that tells their unique story.
Previously, the junior area was dominated by a simple court, which became unusable during wet weather. Recognizing the need for a change, the school embarked on a mission to transform the space into something vibrant and meaningful.
The Collaborative Process
The journey to creating the new playground was deeply collaborative. The students played a pivotal role in the design process, sharing their ideas and preferences for play structures and surfaces. Inspired by visits to Sylvia Park School and Western Heights School, the team identified elements that resonated with their community.
“We wanted to tie in our playground into who we are as a culture and as a community,” McDonald emphasized. This dedication led the school to partner with Creo, whose values and design expertise perfectly aligned with their vision.
Bringing the Narrative to Life
The final design of the playground is a beautiful tribute to the school’s ancestral journey from Hawaiki to Aotearoa. The story of the ancestors traveling on the Tainui Waka, following the Stingray Kai food trail to Mangawhai Mountain, is reflected in the playground’s design elements. Creo seamlessly incorporated these cultural narratives into the playground features, ensuring they resonated with the students and their heritage.
"Creo was the one and only because of what we saw when we went to them. We told them our narrative, and they came up with the design incorporating all the little concepts we wanted," McDonald said. "We fell in love with it instantly."
Features That Make a Difference
Key features of the new playground include:
- Artificial Turf: To allow all-year-round play without the issues of muddy grass.
- Cultural Storytelling Elements: Depicting the ancestral journey through themed play structures.
- Soccer Field Addition: Placed outside the administration office, offering a dedicated space for active play.
- Future-Proofing: Plans to install a canopy for sun protection in the summer months.
A Seamless and Engaging Experience
The construction process was smooth and efficient, with Creo ensuring minimal disruption to the students’ learning environment. “The workers were lovely and interacted with the children,” McDonald noted. “They were curious and excited to see the playground take shape, and Creo made sure everything was done cleanly and on time.”
A New Sense of Energy and Pride
Since its completion, the playground has brought a renewed sense of vibrance and enthusiasm to the junior school. “We look like a new school, and we feel like a new school,” McDonald reflected. The transformation has truly revitalized the campus, creating a space that reflects the school’s identity and inspires students daily.
