Getting the skinny on what Wairoa’s youth want in a new skate bowl is a priority for Wairoa District Council elected members.

Wairoa’s existing skate bowl at Alexandra Park will be affected by the Flood Mitigation Project, prompting elected members to seek a new location and design. Feedback so far suggests the new development should include a full-sized bowl for experienced riders and a smaller beginner-friendly bowl and training zone. Good flow and connection, curved elements and flowing lines, improved layout and better-connected ramps, banks, and transitions were all highlighted. There is also demand for a greater variety of obstacles, rails for grinding, ledges and fun boxes.  

Skateboarders would also like to see a pump track (looping flow track) around the edges for younger users, and were keen on other activities at the skate bowl site. They also used regional examples of what works in a skate bowl. Other highlighted factors are shade, water access, a visible site in close proximity to the shops, accessibility for families, as well as tamariki safety and wellbeing.

Wairoa District Council elected members Sara Bird and Michelle Tahuri said the relocation of the skatepark provides an opportunity to modernise and improve on what we have, encourage youth engagement, increase community use and attract tourists.

Council will continue to canvass youth voices, and anyone who would like to provide their thoughts, please email feedback@wairoadc.govt.nz.

Caption: Wairoa District Council elected members Sara Bird and Michelle Tahuri have been canvassing youth opinions on what they want from their local skate bowl.

23 April 2026

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