We respect tamariki and rangatahi as members of a whānau and community, their rights and their right to play.
We proactively engage within our communities to strengthen and inspire opportunities for play.
We are champions for tamariki and rangatahi, and their play environments now and into the future.
Together we strive for wellbeing, belonging and mana across all ages.
We share our knowledge, wisdom, understanding and skills to support communities to recognise the value of play.
Play Aoteroa is devoted to ensuring that every child in Aotearoa is able to experience a life enriched by play. We work alongside community groups, organisations and individuals to create opportunities for the facilitation of play by training, assisting, and facilitating an empowered exchange of ideas towards the provision of high-quality play experiences for every Kiwi kid.
Time to play is crucial for a child’s development and happiness. Our work focuses on guiding and assisting groups and individuals tasked with the care of children to produce experiences which are play-focused. Play Aotearoa ensures that the child’s voice is heard, and we help shift play into a top-priority position by utilising the tools in our five key areas of development.
· Awareness | Hinengaro
· Education | Kuranga
· Good Practice | Hanga
· Policy & Research | Kaupapa Here & Hurahura
· Empowering Communities | Whakamana Hapori Whānui
By Moana Wereta and Jessica Worchel In acknowledgement of Grandparent’s week (27 October to 1 November 2022), Play Aotearoa would like to share pūrākau (story) and whakataukī (proverbs) that demonstrate the powerful connection between mokopuna (grandchildren) and tūpuna as it relates to te ao Māori (Māori worldview) (1).
Jj woke from the loudness of the day. The manu (birds) were singing their waiata (songs), and the rays of Tama-nui-te-rā were shining bright through the window.
As Tama-nui-te-Rā (personification of the sun) moves away from the whare (house) of Hine Takurua (personification of winter) and closer to Hine Raumati (personification of summer), we move into kōanga (spring).
The two kunekune pigs, Pedro and Piggles, were stranded. Their whare (home) was slowly being surrounded by a lake that was emerging with the weeks of heavy rain that had been battering Aotearoa.
We are the national voice for play in Aotearoa. We empower our members to champion a child’s right to play, deliver quality play experiences, and share knowledge and information about play nationwide. By joining us, you strengthen your network, gain access to discounts, and enhance your understanding of the significance of play in the lives of our whanau.