First of Rotorua's 13 new drink fountains unveiled

Ngongotaha Primary School student Amy Patchell, 10, tries out the colourful fountain designed by artist Kereama Taepa (left). Photo / Stephen Parker

Parched park users should now find it easier to quench their thirst, after the first of 13 new water fountains to be installed around Rotorua was unveiled.

Rotorua district councillor Janet Wepa said she hoped the fountains, designed by local artist Kereama Taepa, would serve the dual purpose of encouraging people to drink water and reducing plastic bottle use. The $48,000 project has been jointly funded by three Rotorua Lakes Council portfolios and a contribution from Keep Rotorua Beautiful.

All fountains will include water meters and a tap designed for refilling bottles, with the aim of tracking usage and the estimated reduction in plastic bottle waste.

Students from Ngongotaha Primary School yesterday joined Mr Taepa, Mrs Wepa and other councillors at the Ngongotaha Youth Space for a blessing of the first new fountain by the council's kaupapa Maori adviser, Monty Morrison.

Over the next month 12 more fountains will be installed around the city, at locations including Karenga Park, the Lakefront playground, and Fordlands youth space.

Each will feature one of three designs created by Mr Taepa, based around themes of youth and the environment.

Mrs Wepa, who leads the council's sustainable living portfolio, said the project was a response to community requests for more water fountains around the city. "We wanted them to go into the youth spaces to encourage them to drink water, and also to encourage people to reduce plastic bottle use."

Mr Taepa spoke of the "hip-hop" influences in the Ngongotaha design as a way to connect with younger people.

The design was a hit with the students - enthusiastic cries of "it's cool" went up at first sight of the colourful fountain.

"These fountains are set to become an artistic feature of parks around the city," Mrs Wepa said.