Aerial drone photograph of the Motutawa Skatepark in New Zealand, showing the completed concrete bowl, ramps, rails and path network from above. Photo credit: Convic.

Holcim Concrete Shapes Wellington’s Kilbirnie Skate Park

Colour, craft and community. Holcim New Zealand delivers specialised mixes for a landmark skate destination near the capital, due to open in early 2027.

At Holcim New Zealand, we love being part of projects that energise communities. Our latest contribution is the new Kilbirnie Skate Park, located just five minutes from Wellington’s CBD toward the international airport. Backed by over $7 million in Wellington City Council investment, it is set to become a landmark destination when it opens in early 2027.

A Familiar Partnership

The project marks a continued collaboration with internationally renowned skatepark designers and builders Convic, who are acting as main contractor and lead for placement on site.

Holcim and Convic last worked together approximately two years ago on the Avalon Skate Park in Lower Hutt, a project that also saw Holcim supply coloured and standard ready-mix concrete to create a high-performance, visually striking facility.

Convic have been collaborating with Wellington City Council and the Wellington Skateboarding Association for over three years to develop a design that is reflective of the skate community’s needs while offering a facility that is unique to Aotearoa. Baked Design, mana whenua-appointed designers, have also contributed to the cultural design of the space.

A skatepark is much more than just a concrete slab with a few obstacles. It’s a community space for hanging out and catching up with friends, and it can be an iconic colourful piece of art that represents your culture, community and identity.

Convic | Project Designers & Builders

A skateboarder performs a high aerial grab above the concrete bowl at Motutawa Skatepark, New Zealand, against a clear blue sky. Spectators and a park setting are visible in the background. Photo credit: Convic.

A skater catches air at the Motutawa Skatepark in New Zealand, one of Convic's award-winning community skate destinations. Photo credit: Convic.

A 3D architectural rendering of the proposed Kilbirnie Skate Park in Wellington, New Zealand, showing a large concrete bowl with interconnected ramps, seating areas, trees and community spaces. A skater is visible on the ramp surface. Rendering credit: Convic.

Artist's impression of the completed Kilbirnie Skate Park, Wellington, showing the concrete bowl, interconnected ramps and surrounding community space. Rendering credit: Convic.

Specialised Mixes for a High-Performance Surface

Skateparks demand precision in every pour. At Kilbirnie, Holcim is supplying several specialised concrete mixes tailored to the unique requirements of skate surfaces.

30MPa standard concrete, integrated with Peter Fell #699 Black oxide for a rich, dramatic finish
Exposed decorative mix (Woodville), also incorporating the #699 Black colour for visual consistency across exposed surfaces
30MPa spraymix, paired with Peter Fell #328 oxide for the skate ramps, applied via Reeves Gunite Pumping

The use of Peter Fell oxides reflects Holcim New Zealand’s coloured concrete range, which offers fade-resistant, high-quality colour across a contemporary palette created right here in Aotearoa.

Holcim’s Sales Manager Nicki Knight has been working closely with Stu from Peter Fell to finalise the colour specifications, a collaboration that has been instrumental in achieving the right aesthetic outcomes for the site.

Building Better Together

The Kilbirnie Skate Park is designed to be more than a skate facility. Wellington City Council’s vision is for it to serve as a key urban green space, a destination for Wellingtonians and visitors alike, and a space that reflects the culture and identity of its community. Holcim is proud to be supplying the concrete that will make that vision a reality.

From the Avalon Skate Park in Lower Hutt to the new Kilbirnie site, Holcim New Zealand is proud to play a continuing role in creating spaces that bring communities together, support active lifestyles and stand up to the demands of everyday use.

Whether it’s standard ready-mix, specialised spraymix or coloured decorative concrete, our Wellington team is delivering the expertise and materials that help great projects come to life.

Close-up photograph of concrete skate ramp edges at Motutawa Skatepark, featuring traditional Māori geometric patterning inlaid into the concrete retaining walls. A red and striped steel shade canopy and native bush are visible in the background. Photo credit: Convic.

Cultural design is woven into every detail at Motutawa Skatepark, with traditional Māori geometric patterning integrated into the concrete skate surfaces and surrounding structures. Photo credit: Convic.

An aerial view of the completed Motutawa Skatepark in New Zealand, showcasing the flowing concrete bowl, ramps and pathway network designed and built by Convic. Photo credit: Convic.

Project Details

Project	Kilbirnie Skate Park, Wellington
Client	Wellington City Council
Expected Opening	Early 2027
Main Contractor	Convic (designers and builders)
Collaboration	Wellington City Council and Wellington Skateboarding Association (3+ years) Cultural design: Baked Design (mana whenua-appointed)
Pumping	Reeves Gunite Pumping
Holcim Mixes Supplied	30MPa standard concrete, 30MPa spraymix, Woodville exposed mix
Colour	Peter Fell #699 Black, Peter Fell #328
Holcim Contact	Nicki Knight, Sales Manager, Wellington