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    South Wairarapa Wheels Park

    The South Wairarapa Wheels Park in Greytown is on the corner of Pierce and Cotter streets. Its construction was completed in October 2025, two months ahead of schedule. An official opening celebration is being held in November 2025.

    The new park has been named Te Papa Ora o Mōroa, or Papa Ora for short. This vibrant new space is a hub for skaters, scooters, BMX riders and families alike.

    About the project

    Te Papa Ora o Mōroa was designed by Convic, a landscape architectural design and engineering company that has forged a strong reputation worldwide for its outstanding work on skateparks. It has developed over 800 iconic, inclusive, award-winning community spaces, including parks in Avalon and Auckland.

    Convic began work on the new South Wairarapa park in July 2025. Progress was smooth, thanks to the hard mahi of Convic, the Council’s amenities team and community members who gave support. Council contractors CityCare Properties donated the landscaping for the park, and the concrete was provided by local Greytown business, Gray Bros Contractors Ltd.

    Phase one of the wheels park project was funded as part of the Council’s 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan. Future plans for Papa Ora include a basketball court, playground and pump track, with these remaining stages to be fundraised for by the community.

    About the name

    Mōroa is the name of the land beginning at the southern end of Greytown and stretching out towards Featherston, also known as the Mōroa plains. Papa means ground or space. Ora means health/vitality and prosperity. 

    Background

    With the continued growth of Greytown and the inability to extend the existing park on Kuratawhiti Street, there was a desire to create a new integrated open space facility at 2-4 Pierce Street for all ages. The proposed park would be designed with sustainable building practices in mind to reduce its overall construction footprint.

    Due to its relatively close proximity to the other towns in South Wairarapa, the new Greytown park was expected to be enjoyed by all in the district, making it important that everyone’s feedback was considered in the final design. It was designed to complement the offerings of other skate parks in the Wellington region.

    The project was partially funded by the Council to the value of $1.4m, with the balance to be raised by the community. The finished project is expected to cost around $4m.

    During the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan consultation, the community identified the following needs:

    • Skatepark and wheeled play area incorporating some learn to ride elements
    • Integrated skate elements throughout park, such as skateable terraces
    • Pump track environment
    • Playground
    • Basketball half court
    • Carpark integrated into Cotter Street with street calming features. Rework lane layout to navigate cars away from continuing down Cotter Street
    • Improved pedestrian entry and connection between the new Greytown Park and the Woodside Trail entry
    • Circulation from Pierce Street through to the Woodside Trail entry
    • Central hub, tying environments and circulation together
    • Public toilet facilities
    • Shelters and shade sails
    • Seating, bike racks, rubbish bins and other site furnishings
    • Accessible water fountains and barbecues
    • Water and power connection with service for temporary, small service space
    • Designated space for temporary small service / cafe and shop
    • Landscaped gardens and green space, which could include community planting initiatives, fruit and shade trees 

    Based on this feedback, a concept drawing was shared with Greytown residents. Public engagement ran from 19 April to 2 May 2022. Following this feedback from the wider district, the initial design was approved by council in August, and the project went out for tender.

    Updates

    July 2025

    After the withdrawal of Angus McMillan Concrete from the project, Convic was selected to lead the construction of the project. Design and stakeholder engagement has been completed and construction work is to begin in July 2025.

    August 2023

    The Greytown Wheels Park development is gaining momentum. Council has a signed an agreement with RICH Landscapes and Angus McMillian Concrete, which won the supplier tenders earlier this year. With these suppliers being much sought after, the construction is scheduled to start in late 2024. The design phase has commenced and stakeholder engagement activities are about to get underway.

    Council media releases and news stories

    Wheels Park opening day celebration in Greytown – 13 November 2025

    Wheels in motion for early opening of Te Papa Ora o Mōroa – 15 October 2025

    Wheels Park rolls into action in July – 4 July 2025

    Greytown Wheels Park and Martinborough Street Lighting – 10 February 2023

    Greytown Wheels Park update – 18 August 2022

    Greytown Open Space and Wheels Park Project engagement – 21 April 2022

    Information current as at 14 November 2025