Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre to include New Zealand’s first Aquatic Sensory Experience

Christchurch’s long-awaited Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is moving towards completion and when finished will include New Zealand’s first Aquatic Sensory Experience.

Christchurch City Council has advised that “sinks are being sliced, custom-made hand pumps are being cast, and bubbling tubes are being illuminated as bespoke features for New Zealand’s first Aquatic Sensory Experience take shape in Christchurch.”

The multi-sensory aquatic environment is specifically being designed to foster exploration and play for individuals with sensory or disability needs.

Among the features of the Aquatic Sensory Experience is a 'How Things Work' wall, allowing visitors to control the flow of water through elements such as toilet cisterns and water pumps. A tactile, Canterbury-themed wall—paying homage to the region’s natural environment—is also included, alongside bubble columns and interactive water features. These unique creations are being meticulously crafted by Christchurch-based Development Engineering.

Director Graham Christie says creating one-of-a-kind equipment is challenging but rewarding and shared “I design these bespoke features, then comes the even harder job of working out how to actually make them. There’s no manual on how to cleanly cut the front off a porcelain sink.

“I’ve exported this type of interactive equipment all over the world and have no doubt that what will be on offer at the Aquatic Sensory Experience at Parakiore will make it a truly unique attraction.”

When construction is completed in 2025, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will be the largest aquatic and indoor recreation and leisure venue of its kind in New Zealand, accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan identified the need for a world-class venue and centre of sporting excellence, accessible to people of all ages, abilities and sporting skills.

Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will provide an aquatic and indoor recreation and sports facility catering for the day-to-day needs of the leisure, sporting, recreational, education and high performance sporting communities in Canterbury.

Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is being delivered by Crown Infrastructure Delivery Limited (CID) and will be owned and operated by Christchurch City Council.

CID Project Director Alistair Young says an Aquatic Sensory Experience like this is rare globally adding “while we are creating New Zealand’s largest indoor sports and aquatics facility, our goal is to provide access for as many people as possible. The Aquatic Sensory Experience, along with features like the MOVE circo arts studio and dry diving space, plays a crucial role in achieving this.”

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sport and Events Nigel Cox highlights the success of the Southern Centre: Multi-Sensory Experience at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, which serves as a foundation for the new initiative.

Cox advised “our aspiration is for visitors to have such a positive experience with the Aquatic Sensory Experience’s water features that they gain newfound confidence to explore the diverse water play equipment and pools throughout Parakiore.”

Aquatic Sensory Experience Features

• Beach entry pool – 90cm at the deep end

• Eight water features including fountains, misting spray, and jets activated by sensors and switches

• Bubble columns with interactive water features

• ‘How Things Work’ wall with controllable water flow

• Interactive video screen

• Tactile Canterbury-themed wall featuring fish, birds, rivers, and mountains

Image. Credit: Christchurch City Council