The Frankenramp is alive in Rongotai

In the early days, the Knott brothers approached Wellington City Council for permission to build a vert ramp (vertical sided) on a grassy site in Rongotai near the college after forming the ‘Wellington Skateboarding Association.’ The ramp was very popular and well used, even featuring in the local newspaper in 1987.

In 1989 the ramp was pulled apart, with the timber used to build a new ramp in the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre carpark which was later damaged in a storm. Following this, it was moved into the Kilbirnie Indoor Recreation Centre, where a vert and a mini ramp were enjoyed by many, including famous pro skaters throughout the 90s.

Decades later in 2013, a new ramp was built in Graeme’s backyard in Lyall Bay, and for 10 years locals would drop in to use it – it was remembered by many as a place they first learn to skate. 

“The backyard mini ramp was where I taught my daughter to skate and had a whole lot of sessions and parties. In 2022 we decided it was time to gift this to the public to enjoy,” says Graeme.

Once again, Graeme and his skate mates, including Tiki Construction builder Kyle O’Regan and local artist Dave Smith, worked with the Council to relocate the ramp from Graeme's backyard to the local park space south of Rongotai College. Graeme says it’s been put roughly where the original ramp was put 30 years earlier.

“The fact the new ramp is in the same spot where my brother and I built the vert ramp in 1987 is so cool. It was meant to be! The name ‘Frankenramp’ was inspired by the mammoth task of dismantling and rebuilding on its new site.

“When I was at the ramp recently, I noticed a bunch of kids really getting into their skating there and loving it. It reminded me of when we had the first ramp there back in the 80s."

Kyle says they worked hard to reuse as many of the original materials as possible whist relocating and rebuilding the ramp. Although this was a challenge, building sustainably is something he is very proud of.

“Skaters are very much about using existing structures and materials so the idea of reusing materials, instead of dumping them, is where it's at from a sustainability point of view.”

Wellington City Council Open Spaces Project Manager Dave Halliday said this was an easy project to support because it had such strong buy-in from the local skate community and it would add value to the existing skate area at Tirangi Road.  

“The Frankenramp location is accessible and resonates with the local surf and skate community, and lots of young people moving through this area. We value local initiatives like this that get people active, including beginners, women, girls and tamariki wanting to get into vert skating – it just makes sense.”

To get involved or learn more about skate in Pōneke, visit the Wellington Skateboarding Association on Instagram.  Or, learn more about how Wellington City Council is supporting skate in Pōneke.