Kaikōura recently celebrated the opening of our fantastic new Takahanga Mainpower Multisport Courts in a fitting manner with tennis and netball games running side by side.

Nestled in between Kaikōura Primary School and Takahanga Marae, the courts are right on the iconic waterfront and framed by views of the sea and mountains.  All three courts are marked out for netball and tennis, with the ability to block off a court with curtain fencing.

Along with a picturesque site to play sports, Kaikōura Netball Centre is welcoming the opportunity to join the Takahanga Sport and Recreation Hub, a new entity which aims to bring together multiple sports for mutual benefit.  This includes the use of a brand new multi-use hub, built on the site of the old rugby clubrooms, which were damaged in the 2016 earthquake.  

The building is close to finished and fundraising continues for the final touches.  Downstairs includes administration area, changing rooms, first aid, umpire’s room, tuck shop and storage.  Upstairs is a function room with a full kitchen and a large deck overlooking the domain.  The courts are fully functional, but ‘Stage 2’ will include lighting, landscaping and seating.

Takahanga Domain already hosts rugby, touch, tennis, squash, bowls and croquet, along with close proximity to schools and the new community swimming pool, and is in the middle of Kaikoura’s ‘entertainment district’ with cafes, restaurants, hotels and conference centres and movie theatre.  It is a deeply significant wahi tapu site for Ngāti Kurī, and so it is an honour to be able to enjoy and share this space.

As a netball centre, we are very excited not only to have a new facility but to be working alongside other sports and bringing families closer together on a Saturday morning.  We look forward to hosting events and manuhiri in a location that allows us to express the manaakitanga our town is famous for.

Photo Credit: Eilish Smith

1. The courts are marked for both netball and tennis with netball having priority use through the winter

2. Savannah Hole defends the shot of Demelza Sweeney as players of all ages gathered for a social game to celebrate the courts opening.  

3. The new courts with the Takahanga Sport and Rec hub building in the background.  Landscaping, lighting and seating are in the next stage of the development.

4. The courts are situated alongside multiple other sports based at Takahanga, and right next to the beach in the heart of the town.

Article added: Tuesday 04 March 2025