On Saturday 16 May 2026, Chartwell Shopping Centre officially opened its brand-new playground to the community, and families turned out in force to celebrate.

Excitement filled the centre as five lucky Dream Playground Design winners and their families gathered at the new playground before the centre opened to the public for a special opening ceremony with Louie the Lion and his friends from Enchanted Entertainment. Once the ribbon was officially cut, these young VIPs were given the honour of being the very first to explore and play in the exciting new space.

Following the special opening ceremony, the centre welcomed the wider community from 9:30am, with families arriving in droves to experience the new playground for themselves.

Held in the Foodcourt, the free event featured special appearances from Louie the Lion, who delighted young visitors with hugs, high-fives and photo opportunities throughout the morning, while free fruit for kids, generously donated by Woolworths Chartwell, and complimentary face painting added to the festive atmosphere.

Children eagerly explored every corner of the playground, filling the space with laughter and energy as they enjoyed the new play area for the very first time.

Chartwell’s Marketing Manager, Linda Jackson, said the response from the community had been overwhelmingly positive.

“It was fantastic to see so many families come along to celebrate with us and experience the playground for the first time. Creating spaces that bring our community together is an important part of what we do, and seeing the excitement on children’s faces throughout the morning was incredibly rewarding.”

With smiles all around and children already making the space their own, the grand opening was the perfect beginning for what is sure to become a much-loved destination for Waikato families for years to come.

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