Neighbourhood Play System is an exciting approach to urban play design that places the key stakeholder – tamariki – at the centre of the process.

Sport Waitākere has been working with Te Kura o Pātiki (Rosebank Primary) and Rānui Primary as well as community organisations in both areas to gather insights around what play looks like in their community and to help identify other opportunities for localised play and to help bring them to life.

Pauline Butt, Play Systems Advisor for Sport Waitākere, says tamariki are critical to the success of the Neighbourhood Play System.  “They can tell us where they play, how they play and what’s preventing them from playing more, at school and in their neighbourhood.”

The insight report for Te Kura o Pātiki identified that tamariki wanted more opportunities for play, active recreation and sport both within the school and also in the community.  As a result of these insights, I Love Avondale has accessed funding from Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa to provide opportunities such as Junky Monkeys loose parts play, ki o rahi and a variety of sport opportunities at the Eastdale Reserve. 

Tamariki in the area also designed a playful environment utilising spray chalk and stencils to create such things as hopscotch and mazes at the Eastdale Reserve.

“Eventually we hope to be able to create playful environments throughout the area that are more permanent,” explains Pauline.

Within the school, changes are also happening with a Magic Play Box (Loose Parts Play) and plans for redeveloping a junior play space, as well as more cultural play opportunities for the tamariki.

In the Rānui community, the school has secured Magic Play Boxes as well as some additional bikes to add to play options in the school.  The school’s Te Whakatipu Kakano Māori Immersion Unit has also received support for taonga tākaro (Māori play) initiatives.

Play opportunities have been created at Salvation Army’s transitional housing development and Rānui 135 through the provision of Gear Up Boxes containing play and sports equipment.  In addition, the Henderson Massey Local Board has supported plans to provide equipment to the Rānui Library that will provide play experiences including Lego, Connect 4 and Jenga in this space while at Rānui Domain, a play trail will also be trialled.  

Pauline says the exciting news for this community was to see the tamariki’s voice included in the concept designs for the new playground at the domain.

“Play has many positive benefits such as being active, encouraging creativity and innovation, helping develop social and emotional connections, creating relationships between young people and the environment, and improving resilience, independence and leadership as they can determine their own outcomes.  It also helps with decision making around risk.

“Play can happen everywhere and it takes clear and strong leadership from everyone in the community to enable play but most importantly we need to allow the tamariki and rangatahi to determine what play will look like for them.

“Play is for everyone, everywhere and most importantly is fun!” concludes Pauline.  

Article added: Tuesday 05 December 2023