If you look carefully in Queens Park, you might see a little bit of magic in action, thanks to the efforts of an enthusiastic community champion. 

A community of fairy doors near the children’s playground in the park have proven extremely popular, a testament to what can be achieved through cooperation. 

The fairy doors are the brainchild of Invercargill woman Tulua Sekone-Fraser and her seven-year-old daughter Bella. 

Bella is a firm believer in the magic of fairies, and after the pair built a fairy door for a tree in their backyard, and Tulua saw the excitement and happiness on her daughter’s face, she wondered if it could be replicated in a public space. 

“I just thought ‘how cool would it be to see every other kid be excited by that’.”

 Around the same time she saw a fairy door community in Christchurch and wondered if she could get something similar started in the south. 

A keen advocate for families spending time together, being active, sparking imagination, and exploring the wonders of nature, Tulua is also involved in the Invers Rocks group. The group is responsible for painting and hiding rocks in various places around Invercargill walking tracks, an activity which has delighted and inspired thousands of youngsters to hide their own rocks while also being active. 

Seeing the popularity of Invers Rocks, Tulua approached other members of the group about how she might get the fairy doors off the ground, later approaching then-Healthy Families Invercargill play systems innovator Cathy Peters for help to connect with organisations who might be able to help, and the Invercargill City Council. 

“She (Cathy) was the one that helped link everyone together.” 

Everyone, including the city council, and the local Woodworkers’ Guild, which built the doors, jumped at the opportunity to be involved. 

“They were really supportive.” 

Tulua’s goal was for more doors to be set up in other areas of Invercargill. 

“Growing up, you always want to believe there’s some kind of magic. We believe in Santa, we believe in the Easter Bunny, so why not believe in the fairies? It’s just to keep that kind of magic going around Invercargill.” 

Checking out the fairy doors was also a great way for families to get active. 

“It’s not only good for your health, it’s so good for your mental health as well, just connecting with your family...you get to do it while you are walking, you are connecting with your children, which is particularly important. Your kids mirror your behaviour, so it makes them get active as well.” 

Healthy Families Invercargill manager Jared Cappie said the fairy doors initiative was a great example of community leadership. 

“Community champions are an essential part of making changes to how we all use our city. People like Tulua are the backbone of how we make positive, sustainable, community-led changes that make it easier for people to be active, connect with their families, and live healthier lifestyles.” 

Invercargill City Council Parks and Recreation Interim Manager Lesley McCoy said the fairy doors had been a huge success, sparking the curiosity and imagination of children since they were installed. 

When approached to be involved, the council had immediately been keen, viewing the initiative as a fantastic opportunity to stimulate imaginative play in the city’s green spaces. 

“Tulua was already doing this with the Invers Rocks initiative and we were keen to see how we could develop on it...we all thought that this would be an amazing opportunity for imaginative play in our reserves. 

“Community champions (like Tulua) are invaluable to the Parks and Recreation team. We don’t always have the resources to undertake all the creative ideas we would like to in our Parks and Reserves. Without people like Cathy, Tulua and the Woodworkers Guild, these projects would never happen. Thank you to all involved.” 

Article added: Monday 22 February 2021