Police raids result in playground

The proposed playground.

Public donations following the 2007 police raids in Ruatoki will go towards building a children's playground in Taneatua.

Ngai Tuhoe donated $23,000 towards the playground currently being built in the Jack Knowles Reserve in Taneatua.

The funds were the remainder of public donations following the police raids in Ruatoki, in which about 300 police, including members of the Armed Offenders Squad and Special Tactics Group, arrested 17 people.

Ngai Tuhoe had decided the funds should be used to create a resource of lasting benefit for the children of the area.

The playground was a joint effort between Ngai Tuhoe, the Whakatane District Council, Taneatua School and Te Kohanga Reo a Taneatua.

Whakatane District Council community services manager Paula Chapman said project fundraising was underway and encouraged any parties interested in being involved to get in touch.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the community to make a whanau-friendly playground destination in Taneatua a reality," she said.

The playground will feature a basketball half-court, a climbing net, swings, seesaws and a toddler climber. It will also have electric barbecues for family gatherings, she said.

Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne said the playground would be a wonderful asset.

"This is a fine example of the council having a true partnership with groups in the community," he said.

"This is how we can work together for the benefit of all."

The first stage of the playground construction began this week.