Bigger playground, 300 trees and two new paths proposed for Rāwhiti Domain

By the Explore Christchurch news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026

The council and New Brighton Catholic School have drawn up a three-stage plan to replace the southern play space at Rāwhiti Domain, and the council wants to hear from locals by Sunday 29 November.

Deadline

Sunday 29 November 2026

Where

Rāwhiti Domain southern play space; trees also planned for Thomson Park

Decision

Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board, February 2027

The new play space would be larger than the one it replaces, because the council and the school plan to pool their money. The school’s tamariki told the council which equipment they would like to use.

Three stages, two funders

• Stage one, paid for by the council: a gaga pit and a climbing frame.
• Stage two: a six-person swing.
• Stage three: a pump track, with trees and shrubs planted around it.

The school will apply for funding for stages two and three, so those parts depend on that money coming through.

Trees and footpaths

The council also wants to plant 300 trees across the wider domain and Thomson Park, and add two footpaths, one along the southern edge of the domain and one near the Eastern Canopy, after people asked for more paths.

An online shade map lets you see the planting plan in 3D and check where the trees would cast shade at different times of day.

What happens next

The Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board is due to decide in February 2027, and anyone who gives feedback can speak to the board.

Explore Christchurch news desk: news@explorechristchurch.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.