Three kids biking at bike park

Come join us this Saturday as Waikirikiri Selwyn’s young people, celebrate the opening of the new Youth Zone at Foster Park, Rolleston.

Designed with input from Selwyn rangatahi, the new Youth Zone is aimed to provide an active outdoor space for Selwyn teens and features the district’s first parkour area, a pump track, 3x3 basketball court and areas to hang out.

The official opening of the new Youth Zone will start at 1pm Saturday 20 September. The festivities will include 3x3 pick-up basketball games, a DJ, and free braids and fades hairstyling. Bring your scooter or bike and try out the pump track and parkour areas.

Waikirikiri Selwyn Youth Council member Phillip Soshnikov says the Youth Zone is an important part of helping Selwyn’s growing youth population thrive and meets the needs identified by young people in Selwyn through the Council’s Piki Amokura Selwyn Youth Strategy adopted last year and endorsed by the Youth Council.

“It’s important to have spaces where young people feel they belong. A free, public space where any young person can come along, socialise and be active together is good for social well-being and physical well-being, which is great for everyone. It’s in a place that’s close to our largest high school, Selwyn Aquatic Centre, the Sports Centre and our main sports park so it’s a good spot for people to come together and connect.”

Kids admiring new playground equipment

Waikirikiri Selwyn has one of the largest youth populations in the country, with 33% of people in Selwyn (over 28,000 people) aged under 24 years old and the youth population is expected to grow at twice the national average rate over the next 15 years.

The Piki Amokura Selwyn Youth Strategy includes a key pillar of making sure that ‘Waikirikiri Selwyn is a fun place for me to grow up’.

The main need young people identified for this pillar was access to outdoor recreation spaces and parks, with good variety of activities, Council Executive Director Community Services and Facilities Denise Kidd says.

“Young people are a huge part of the Waikirikiri Selwyn community and what makes the district a great place to call home. With one of the youngest populations in the country, it’s important for all of us that we help our young people thrive. When young people thrive our whole community thrives.”

Last modified: 16 Sep 2025 10:38am