Manukau whitewater rafting complex moves forward

Works on a new whitewater rafting complex being built next to the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau are underway.

The $60 million Wero Whitewater Park, featuring two rafting and kayaking courses – with a grade four course will have a 4.5 metre drop, a 1 hectare pond and a 600-seat function centre, are expected to be finished in early 2016.

Expected to be the base for New Zealand's next generation of top canoe athletes, the new venue’s first international event will be the 2017 World Masters Games.

On hand at a recent earth-turning ceremony, Prime Minister John Key told the Manukau Courier that the complex is a very exciting prospect for the people of South Auckland, particularly the youth.

Prime Minister Key stated "it's going to provide a whitewater park that will be fantastic for people to have some fun and for youngsters to challenge themselves and for a great addition to the Auckland landscape."

Counties Manukau Pacific Trust Chief Executive Richard Jeffery said the Trust always wanted to create a facility of international significance, adding the Vodafone Events Centre has proven to be financially successful while balancing commercial and community goals.

Jeffery explained that the Trust wants the venue to be a location for local youth, stating “we're aiming to get 15,000 children through the small course and 35,000 rafters through each year.”

Wero Whitewater Park is a staged project designed to be a world class tourism destination that will engage not only elite whitewater athletes but also local communities and youth.

For more information go to www.wero.org.nz/

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