There will soon be more opportunities for play in central Hamilton, with construction of a new play space beginning this week.
The play space at Hinemoa Park (formerly known as Boyes Park) will be the first built by Hamilton City Council in the central city and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Parks and Recreation Unit Director Maria Barrie says the new play space will 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 design of the play space was shaped by community feedback gathered in July and August 2025 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).
Centred around a shared seating and gathering area, the play space will feature separate areas for younger and older children, with climbing structures, swings, slides and spinners. It will also include a basketball half court, skateable elements and water play features.
Other improvements will be made in Hinemoa Park at the same time as the play space construction, including installing new and upgraded path connections, enhancing gardens, adding interpretive signage recognising the park’s history, and tidying up the Dame Hilda Ross Memorial Fountain, which has Category B heritage significance.
“This park has a rich history, with these changes and improvements further adding to its story. We look forward to completing the work and seeing our community enjoying the enhanced space,” said Barrie.
During the play space construction and park improvement work, the off-street carpark on Norton Road will be temporarily closed to the public.
More information about the Hinemoa Park play space and wider park improvements is available at hamilton.govt.nz/hinemoapark.