Rūnanga gift name for new QEII recreation and sport centre

Local rūnanga have gifted the name Taiora to the new recreation and sport centre at Queen Elizabeth II Park.

The new $38.6 million facility will now be formally known as Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre.

Inside the new Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre. It is due to open at the end of May.

John Filsell, Christchurch City Council’s Head of Recreation, Sports and Events, says the name Taiora has been researched by Matapopore Charitable Trust and gifted by Ngāi Tuahuriri.

“Tai means coastal waters or a collective gathering of people, and ora is a common Māori word that means wellbeing, health, nutrients, energy source, and things along those lines. It’s obviously a very appropriate choice for this new facility, which is returning swimming and fitness amenities to east Christchurch,” Mr Filsell says.

“Because the name QEII has its own long and proud legacy, we also wanted to keep that in use, and that’s what we’ve got displayed down the hydroslide tower. You recognise those letters straight away, and they mean something to everyone who’s lived in Christchurch in the last 40 years.

“You can really feel the history with this facility – and the images and the metaphor suggested by the name carries those historical and environmental connections from the past through to the present,” Mr Filsell says.

Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre joins Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre, Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre, Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre and the new central library, Tūranga, in having a unique Māori name.

Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre is set to open on 31 May 2018, just in time for Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Fnd out more about the project.