First published on 17 November 2025 on Newsline

Lyttelton Primary will be the first school to take on the hydroslides at Parakiore.

Schools in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula were invited to create a video explaining why they should be amongst the first to take a ride down Christchurch’s newest hydroslides.

Today Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger paid a visit to the school to congratulate Lyttelton students on their winning entry.

“They showed some fantastic creativity and school spirit in their video submission. We loved the sense of humour and emotion the kids put into their performances,” says Mayor Mauger.

Students from Oaklands Te Kura o Ōwaka, Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate and St Bernadette's School have also won a chance to get amongst the action.

Mayor Mauger says Lyttelton Primary has “first dibs” on the hydroslides.

“As the top prize winners, it’s only fair Lyttelton Primary students are the first to hoon down the hydroslides, but there’ll be plenty of time for all the kids to test them all out. There were so many creative entries and it’s great to be able to include the runners-up,” he says.

Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre features five hydroslides of varying intensities. They have been designed to resemble silver-bellies eels in an eel pot and can be seen coiling around the St Asaph Street entrance to the building in Central Christchurch.

Construction of Parakiore finished on 31 October, when it was formally handed over to the Council from the Crown.

The Council is now completing the operational fit-out, carrying out on-site staff training, and holding test events ahead of opening to the public later this year.

“The official opening date announcement is just around the corner, so stay tuned,” says Mayor Mauger.

Follow the Council’s Recreation and Sport Facebook page to keep up to date.