The popular Tākaro ā Poi - Margaret Mahy Family Playground is one of the largest Southern Hemisphere. Located just a 5-minute walk from the centre of the city beside Ōtākaro Avon River, it is a popular destination for a fun family outing.
The name Tākaro ā Poi, given to the park, refers to the swing of the poi, the
people who come together to play, and also references Kaiapoi Pā. It was built as part the post-earthquake recovery plan for Christchurch and opened in December 2015.
With its slides, climbing nets, swings, flying fox, water park, inground trampolines and tunnels, young and old alike spend many happy hours playing there. The food trucks and BBQs make it a one-stop destination for families to enjoy together.
Amid all the play equipment is a 130-metre long Story Arc which tells of Ngai Tahu and Pakeha migration and settlement along with other artworks, carvings and words written by local authors - including the playground's namesake, Margaret Mahy.
Margaret Mahy (1936-2012) was an author of children's and young adult books, known for her imaginative and whimsical stories. She wrote over 100 picture books, 40 novels, and 20 collections of short stories, making a significant impact on children's literature worldwide. She won the Carnegie Medal twice and was recognised as runner-up a third time.
https://nzila.co.nz/showcase/margaret-mahy-family-playground