Delivered by Crown Infrastructure Delivery, Parakiore will be owned and operated by Christchurch City Council. 

At 32,000 square metres, the centre combines world-class design with cutting-edge technology. It includes a 50-metre, 10-lane competition pool and a 25 by 20 metre dive pool with 1000 poolside seats, both built to FINA standards for international events. These pools feature moveable bulkheads and electronic timing systems to support elite competition. Alongside them is a large aquatic leisure zone, a hydroslide tower with five slides — including the Looping Rocket trapdoor slide, the first of its kind in New Zealand — and New Zealand’s first Aquatic Sensory Experience, designed to provide inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities.

For court sports, Parakiore offers nine indoor courts, including a three-court Show Court with sprung timber flooring built to FIBA Level 1 standards and retractable grandstands that can seat up to 2,500 spectators. The facility also houses dedicated fitness spaces, movement studios and a High Performance Sport NZ training base integrated within the complex.

Parakiore will cater for community recreation, education and high-performance sport, hosting local, national and international events. It is expected to attract around two million visits each year and deliver significant economic benefits to Christchurch through major tournaments and events.