Wero Climb: New Climbing Attraction with Maori Theme in New Zealand
Image: Courtesy of Waka Pacific Trust
(eap) The New Zealand-based Waka Pacific Trust, which is committed to supporting children and young people and operates, among other facilities, the Due Drop Events Centre and Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau, a suburb of South Auckland, has expanded its offering with a new attraction. With Wero Climb, a 16-meter-high climbing structure from German manufacturer KristallTurm has been put into operation recently.
Image: Courtesy of Waka Pacific Trust
The installation of the facility of “KT-13” type offers three levels with a total of 78 climbing elements. It was designed in collaboration with the local tribe of the “Tainui iwi” and contains symbols from the cultural heritage of the “Māori” (Te Ao Māori), including representations of the “Tainui Waka” (the great ocean-going canoes of the tribe’s ancestors) and the mythical figure “Māui”. The project was fully funded through sponsors and donations.
“It is wonderful to see mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) incorporated in such a unique and inspiring way within the climbing frame. It reflects Te Ao Māori stories that educate and enhance tangata whenua mana, as well as form an important part of Waka Pacific’s schools programme,” emphasizes Martin Cooper, trustee of the Manukau Urban Māori Authority and representative of the Waka Pacific tribe.
“Our constant goal is to continue enhancing the offerings for the South Auckland community to have ready access to fun, challenging and safe activities, and the addition of Climb certainly does that. We are all about engaging with young people to inspire them to have experiences outside of their normal lives and exposing them to opportunities that have positive, profound impacts on them,” says David Comery, CEO of the Waka Pacific Trust. ■
