An Ōtautahi-based organisation has developed an initiative to get wheels turning for wahine across the city with the help of Sport New Zealand’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund. 

The pilot project, developed by local Creative Placemaking Agency, Gap Filler is called Skate the City and has been designed to encourage rangatahi and young women between the ages of 12-24 to get on a skateboard or skates, and use them as a way to access the city.

Skate the City, headed by Gap Filler’s Urban Play Coordinator, Kate Finnerty aims to create a safe space where young women feel confident to try something new. 

“We want to empower more young women to feel comfortable in public spaces as well as establishing Play as a valid, acceptable, and fun activity in the city,” she said.

The conceptual basis for this project came from conversations Gap Filler had with a local Landscape Architect whose special interest is play spaces for young women, a young female pro-skater, other skate teachers and youth groups. This created the basic structure for the free skate trail/events.

The first event will take place on 27 February at The Commons where Long Board Champion, Elissa Mah and PhatSk8 Founder, Ingrid Phelan will be in attendance to showcase their moves and teach basic skills on how to skate through a city, including getting over bumps and ducking under obstacles. 

Each Skate the City event and interactive installations/activities will be informed and co-designed by the young women taking part. Initial online surveys asking where in the city participants would like to explore, and what they would like to experience as part of the event have been sent out to interested groups. Informal chats during the events will also ensure that Skate the City is relevant and connected to the young women taking part.

A second and third event are planned for March and April.

Skate the City is part of a new three-year Urban Play Programme for Ōtautahi. 

For more information or to take part contact - kate@gapfiller.org.nz

Article added: Tuesday 15 February 2022