Tapoa, Naval Point has long been a popular Recreation and Sport location in Ōtautahi. It provides both sheltered bays for swimming and recreational water activities as well as wind exposure for wind sports, it also provides space for land activities, creating a truly unique sports hub.

Over the last few years, Naval Point Club has done a fantastic job in welcoming other water sports to their club, however with the value the Christchurch City Council see in improving Tapoa, Naval Point for all stakeholders, a new Board has been formed to govern this process, and ensure the new facilities meet user needs.

The Board represent Whakaraupo Recreation Inc (WRI), a newly established entity, bringing all the user clubs together under one hub called Whakaraupo Recreation Hub.

Whakaraupo Recreation Inc (WRI) has been set up to better represent the stakeholders and user groups of the area who will call the new hub home. WRI is a collaborative voice to support the Council process to get the best result for all stakeholders.

“We see Whakaraupo Recreation Hub as a destination hub for all Sport and Recreation throughout Christchurch,” says Ben Keys, an appointed Board member of Whakaraupo Recreation Inc.

Keys is a Board member alongside five other locals who utilise Naval Point Club in different ways as well as two other representatives of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke.

Their mission is to encourage and support all forms of sea-based aquatic and community-based Sport, Recreation, safety, and education at Tapoa Naval Point for and or through the hub member clubs, their members, the community, and all recreation participants. 

“Currently, there are18 user groups who have joined the hub, the only difference is the craft they put on the water. They are very similar with what they require in terms of shared facilities and varying degrees of storage and space. Land sports also provide a seasonal model where sports can share knowledge, members and training activities. With an open mind, we believe we can help create a win/win facility for all clubs involved.

“There is a unique opportunity here for the sports clubs to run efficiently together and adding the land sports into that mix creates cross-code collaboration and retention of recreation users through multiple opportunities,” adds Keys.

This might even look like the rugby club facilitating a team building session using the wakas at the new hub. 

In this start-up phase, WRI are keen to attract members to join the hub.

“We are trying to get as many club members as possible, there is no risk in joining us – the more that join the better so that we can work in collaboration to get the best possible outcome for all clubs involved in terms of a facility we can all use.

“The end goal is for the Whakaraupo Recreation Hub is to manage the area for all user groups and foster collaboration between recreation groups. 

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Article added: Monday 07 November 2022