When Tauranga's new rocket slide lands next year it will be even more iconic than the old one.

This is in part thanks to Project Tauranga partners Placemakers, who are now working with Tauranga City Council to give the new rocket a boost.

The iconic rocket slide will be replaced next year.

News that Memorial Park's iconic rocket slide was due to be replaced hit the stratosphere, with 15,000 people viewing Tauranga City Council's Facebook rocket slide posts.

It also captured the attention of the team at Placemakers Mount Maunganui.

Branch Operator Matt Orr says, 'A lot of our staff grew up here and it was a big part of their childhood enjoying that slide as children. It's an important community asset.”

The new rocket is being designed with input from parks staff and with Placemakers who will provide construction materials.

Matt says Placemakers also wants to get their staff involved in the construction. 'We're passionate about putting effort into supporting the community that supports us.”

Project Tauranga manager Michael Vujnovich is thrilled with the support that Placemakers have offered.

'We already knew we needed to do the new rocket justice, and with Placemakers coming on board it gives us more scope to produce something really special for the city,” says Michael.

The original rocket slide was built in the 1960s. It was replaced by the current slide in 1985 and was due for renewal next year but the slide had to be closed last month after it failed a safety inspection.

The old slide will be dismantled next week with some parts being salvaged to live on in the new slide.

The new rocket will be built next year in a more prominent location nearer to the Memorial Park fountain.