Cromwell’s Kiwi Water Park will open tomorrow (Saturday December 3) with a traffic management plan in place in lieu of the required turning bay.

In June this year, a traffic consultant advised a right-hand turning bay was required to ensure safe access to the Lowburn parking area off State Highway 6, which is also utilised by boaties and freedom campers.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) head of Crown property Sonya Wikitera confirmed the traffic management plan is in place while the turning bay is under construction. 

“This includes a reduction in the speed limit along the highway and will enable the water park to operate within consent requirements,” she said. 

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is acting on behalf of LINZ to project manage the required alteration to the highway and work is due for completion by the end of December.

Traffic safety concerns slowed down processing the water park’s permit application for the 2022/23 season 

Water park co-owner Emily Rutherford told the Central App she has also applied to council for resource consent to add improvements requested by members of the public.

“We’ve applied to add seating and shade areas, extra portaloos and food trucks, but consent hasn’t come through yet,” she said. 

Roadworks should be completed by the end of December

Emily said the park is set to make a big splash this summer with the world’s largest inflatable swing.

High-flying thrills

The eight metre high swing is the latest addition; other attractions include giant towers with slides and diving boards, an obstacle course, seesaws, human mouse wheel, and Rodney the world’s largest floating sheep.

Ten qualified lifeguard staff have been appointed – four are coming from the Dunedin surf club – and school groups are booked as part of their outdoor curriculum until the park closes in March.