Slogan Fun On Demand Area 9.3 ha (23 acres) Website www.rainbowsend.co.nz Phone +64 9-262 2030 | Total 21 Opened 1982 Water rides 2 | |
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Owner Rainbow's End Theme Park Limited Hours Open today · 10AM–5PMFriday10AM–5PMSaturday10AM–5PMSunday10AM–5PMMonday10AM–5PMTuesday10AM–5PMWednesday10AM–5PMThursday10AM–5PMSuggest an edit Rides Corkscrew Coaster, Surf N Swing, Family Karts Similar Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life, Butterfly Creek, Sky Tower, Splash Planet, Museum of Transport and Tech Profiles |
Rainbow's End is a 9.3 hectares (23 acres) theme park in Manukau, Auckland. Rainbow's End includes the main theme park and also Kidz Kingdom, a family entertainment center for children 8 years and under. The park, owned by Rangatira Limited, is currently New Zealand's largest theme park and currently employs up to 300 staff.
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History
Opened in 1982 on the site of a former skate park, the park extended its lease in 2010 for another 24 years, after five years of discussions with the former Manukau City Council, though it will have to reduce its size by 0.4 ha from 9.3 ha to allow for new construction at the nearby law courts (being compensated for the land lost). The agreement with the Council also commits the company to re-invest $3 million every three years into new rides or upgrades.
Current rides and attractions
Its main attraction is New Zealand's only Corkscrew Roller coaster. A new ride, called Stratosfear, opened on 17 April 2014. Stratosfear is one of only 4 on the planet. It is located near the Fear Fall and Family Karts.
Awards
Rainbow's End and Kidz Kingdom have won a number of awards.
2013 - Awarded two Brass Ring 2012 Awards for "Best Employee Reward and Recognition Program" and "Best Innovation in a Training Program" for a facility with annual attendance less than 1 million at the IAAPA ceremony in Orlando, Florida.2014 - Winner of the Marketing Excellence Award at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2014 - South2015 - Winner of the 'Best of the Best Marketing Award' 2014 at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards.2015 - Awarded a 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence2015 - Finalist in the Tourism Industry Awards 2015 in the categories of "Visitor Experience" and "Business Excellence" 2015 - Kidz Kingdom was the winner of the "Top Family Entertainment Centre of the World Award 2015" at the IAAPA award ceremony in Florida.2015 - Awarded the "Auckland Youth Employer of the Year" award as part of the Auckland Council Youth Employer Pledge Scheme.2016 - Awarded a 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence2016 - Placed 5th in the TripAdvisor list of the Top 10 Amusement Parks & Water Parks in the South Pacific2016 - Winner of the "Local Youth Employer Award", "Innovative Youth Employer Award" and "Jobfest Exhibitor Award" at the 2016 Young At Heart Awards administered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.Accidents
On 10 February 1990, Thomas Wayne Hemi, 19 years old, fell from a bungy jump at the park. The jump master, Jason John Collett, failed to secure the bungy cord to Hemi's feet. Hemi initially survived the fall, but subsequently died from his injuries. Collett was later found guilty of manslaughter after evidence was presented that both men had smoked cannabis prior to the jump. He was granted mercy - on recommendation from the jury - and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service.
On 21 June 1998,a fire struck the Log Flume ride. Over 75% of the ride was destroyed and two offenders were arrested. After that, the Log Flume was reconstructed and re-themed.
On 2 February 2008, Michael Ross Stuart, a 21-year-old park worker died while carrying out maintenance work on a ferris wheel, located in the Cadbury Land Dream Castle attraction. The worker became trapped between one of the carriages and the frame of the ride, and had to be cut free by firefighters, but died at the scene. The accident, which occurred before the park opened for the day, caused the park to be closed down for two days because of "unforeseen circumstances". Stuart had been working at the park since 2005.
On 10 November 2012, a woman got trapped on the log flume ride. Firefighters were called to the theme park to free the woman and had to cut up parts of the ride to get her free. A fire service spokesman said it was unclear how the woman became trapped. She was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital with minor injuries.
On 5 January 2015, a blown thermostat caused the corkscrew coaster train to be stuck at the top of its lift hill for approximately 15 minutes due to its automatic cutoff system. Staff managed to return the train to its station and no injuries were reported. The ride was closed down for two days for repairs before reopening.