Tauranga’s revamped waterfront – including a $5 million playground intended as a “drawcard” for the city centre – has received a big thumbs up from locals and tourists visiting over summer.

Nearly $43m of a planned $92.2m has been spent on Tauranga City Council’s ongoing waterfront revitalisation programme.

CBD retailers and hospitality businesses the Bay of Plenty Times spoke to were positive about the changes, though one thought they were a “waste of money”.

The destination playground – which features an 8m tower, nature trail and water play zone – opened last month.

Other completed projects include the Northern Waterfront Reserve green space, revamped Masonic Park, the Southern Waterfront boardwalk and rail underpass, and a living seawall to attract marine life.

The Beacon Wharf and Dive Cres park were also upgraded and The Strand waterfront carpark removed.

Artist's impression of the new waterfront playground. Image/ Tauranga City Council

The projects are part of the council’s ongoing $92.2m waterfront revamp, which will eventually link to the under-construction $306m civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa via Masonic Park.

The Bay of Plenty Times spoke to locals and tourists visiting the waterfront over summer to gauge their reactions.

Hamilton mum Panekuhuhu Muru, 37, said it was the first time, she, her daughter Ale’a, 14, and nephew Te Whati Rau, 4, had visited the Tauranga waterfront and she was “gobsmacked” by what the playground and revamped waterfront had to offer families.

Panekuhukuhu Muru, 37, her daughter Ale'a Muru, 14, and her nephew Te Whati Rau, 4, all from Hamilton visiting the new Tauranga destination waterfront playground. Photo / Sandra Conchie

“We usually go to one of the playgrounds at Mount Maunganui. But this one is just amazing. It’s got everything you could think of and lots more. I love everything about it and it reminds me of the playgrounds you see in nearly every park in Queensland.

“Having the playground close to cafes, restaurants and shops is fantastic. I had no trouble finding a parking space.”

Muru said she believed it was ”definitely worth the money” and would be back soon for another visit.

Ōmokoroa mother Sharon Hoseason flanked by sons Oli, 11, ( left) and Donny, 10, (on her right) and Maddox, 6, (seated behind her) giving the new Tauranga waterfront playground their sign of approval during their December 20 visit. Photo / Sandra Conchie

Sharon Hoseason, 32, from Ōmokoroa, and her sons Oli, 11, Donny, 10, and 6-year-old Maddox all gave the new playground a thumbs-up.

“It’s pretty cool, and what’s great is it features something for all my sons. Often when we go to a playground, Oli sits beside me and has to watch his brothers enjoying themselves. But there are plenty of amazing activities for all ages and abilities.”

Hoseason said they moved to Ōmokoroa from Hamilton in November and found the playground during a brief visit to the city centre.

“It’s amazing and we ended up staying for two hours. My boys loved the whole experience and Oli ended up swimming in clothes from the tidal steps and told me he wished he’d brought his basketball. None of them wanted to leave.”

Hoseason said she intended to explore more of the city centre during her next visit to the waterfront, including the shops.

Reggie Willock, 3, from Gisborne (in centre of image) running through the new Tauranga waterfront playground. Photo / Sandra Conchie

Gisborne visitor Anita Willock said she and son Reggie, 3, came to check out the new playground after her sister in Tauranga raved about it.

“It’s really cool and very child-friendly. Reggie especially enjoyed all the water-themed activities. And it gives us another reason to visit Tauranga.”

Billy Emeny, owner of CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen in Red Square, said the revamped Tauranga waterfront and destination playground looked “amazing”, and had already led to more people visiting the city centre, including Red Square, which now had its own children’s playground area.

“I’m a very pro-supporter of these revitalisation projects and the Tauranga CBD. We are getting there one day at a time and give it another six months to a year it will look even better.”

Brian Kim and his wife Rika, who own Rikarika Sushi Express cafe on Grey St, visited the waterfront with their two children on December 28.

Rikarika Sushi Express owners Brian Kim and his wife Rika (left) taking a wee break from their Grey St cafe down on the Tauranga waterfront with their two children on December 28. Photo / Sandra Conchie

Kim, 31, said he was impressed by the revamped area and destination playground and it would be “even better” if there were a few more sunshade covers.

“It’s clean, and a nice child-friendly safe place to visit. I’m sure it’s going to be a huge drawcard for lots more locals and out-of-town visitors as people get to know about it.”

Kim said since the opening of the new playground, they had noticed more people coming into the city centre, including Grey St.

“It’s very early days, of course, but I think these revitalisation projects are starting to achieve some of what they were intended to do. And as downtown Tauranga business owners, we all hope that leads to lots more customers visiting our cafes, restaurants and retail stores.”

Hammon Diamond Jeweller owner Julie Hammon said the revamped waterfront looked “outstanding” and gave the city “a beautiful new vision” for Tauranga’s CBD and another offering for locals and visitors.

She said it was “too early to say” what it would mean for her and other downtown Tauranga retailers.

Comments posted on the council’s Facebook page have been predominantly been positive, with requests for more shade sails and on-street parking.

One critic not enthused by the $5m spend called for money to be spent on infrastructure rather than updating playgrounds.

A CBD retailer, who asked not to be named, told the Bay of Plenty Times he believed the council’s waterfront spending was a “waste of money” given the huge shift in people’s spending habits, competition from shopping malls offering free parking and the plethora of online shopping sites.

Downtown Tauranga manager Genevieve Whitson, however, said the new playground was already having a “really positive” impact on the city centre.

“The official opening saw a hurricane of whānau and kids milling about and playing on the swings, the slides and all the cool new accessories.”

Downtown Tauranga manager Genevieve Whitson said the new Tauranga waterfront destination playground was having a positive impact on the city centre in terms of visitors including Red Square Photo / NZME

“Since then the city has felt busy with people, particularly around places such as the waterfront, Masonic Park and Red Square,” she said.

Whitson said Downtown Tauranga wanted the Memorial Park walkway to be completed, too.

“I understand there are a few hoops to jump through to get this across the line, but it would be a fantastic way to continue building a sense of connection and community.”

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the council was “in it for the long haul” to revitalise the CBD over the next few years.

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Alisha Evans

He said it had been impacted by historic underinvestment, like many cities worldwide.

He said it was great seeing projects come to life and people enjoying the new waterfront area, including “popping manus” off the wharf on sunnier days. He believed this should lead to more customers for central city businesses.

He said $42.9m had been spent on the waterfront revitalisation project as of November 30. Future waterfront projects included the whare waka, footpath upgrades, a central plaza, Strand South Reserve and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Drysdale said some planned works were subject to funding being approved.