Nurturing Play in Pātiki Avondale
When we think of childhood, the perfect day is one spent playing, building a makeshift fort, putting on a musical show, and racing on bikes with neighbours and friends. Play is not only fun; it plays an essential role in our development socially, physically, and mentally. In the tightly scheduled world we live in today, […]
Ola Malosi supports fundamental movement whilst honouring Samoan culture and traditions
Expressing cultural practices in everyday life is crucial for people’s health and wellbeing and for feeling connected to where we spend our time. Faiaoga (teachers) are exploring what a toolkit for health and wellbeing will look like for Aoga Amata (Samoan ECEs) across Tāmaki Makaurau. Faiaoga and aiga (families) are putting forward their thoughts and […]
Developing a sense of place: Indigenizing early learning environments with He Pī Ka Rere
“A developing sense of place is linked to a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging contributes to children’s overall social and emotional development.” (Epstein 2009) Children are born ready and eager to explore our physical world and begin developing their sense of place in early childhood. Equipped with curiosity and their five senses, young […]
Jumping for Wellbeing
The Rosebank Business Association (RBA) took its wellbeing focus to new heights recently with a special event for members at Jump Avondale. The event was held for Rosebank Business Association BID (Business Improvement District) members and provided an opportunity for team bonding as well as the chance for Rosebank business neighbours to get to know […]
Building a more playful West Auckland
The area surrounding a West Auckland school is set to become a whole lot more playful with some of the community’s smallest residents having an important say in the process. The one-kilometre area surrounding Rosebank Primary is the focus of a comprehensive play assessment and consultation process underway by Sport Waitākere. The aim of the […]
Active Whakapapa leads the way in West Auckland
For the month of June, hikoi (walks) were held in Orangihina Park and Henderson Park for people in the community and school students to enjoy. Across 18 events, each walk had the capacity to host 50 people and were all at or near capacity, clearly demonstrating the popularity with the people of West Auckland. Rautaki […]
Sport Waitākere takes home two awards at the national Kūmara Awards
Kaōre te kūmara e kōrero ki tōna ake reka. The kūmara does not brag about its own sweetness. But others do! Celebrating outstanding place-making across Aotearoa, this year the team took home two awards for the Gear Up Play Boxes and M2M (Maunga to Moana). From Little Things Big Things Grow Award: Gear Up Play Boxes […]
Active Whakapapa enjoyed by MP’s, Councillors and Partners in Henderson
On a cool morning in April, councillors, MPs and partners gathered in Henderson Park to hīkoi (walk) across the landscape whilst listening to pūrākau (origin) of the whenua (land) underfoot. Active Whakapapa is a site-specific storytelling experience sharing the history of Mana Whenua through a pre-recorded headset while traversing the whenua. Healthy Families Waitākere Rautaki […]
Tutei taking flight in West Auckland
An initiative embedded in mātauranga Māori has set down roots in West Auckland, weaving ancestral knowledge of te taiao (nature, environment) into the classroom for rangatahi (youth). Over 20 rangatahi from years 9 and 10 West Auckland Middle School have been taken through the Tūtei initiative, which links experiences in nature with mātauranga (knowledge) through […]
The Tāmaki Makaurau Play Streets pilot 2021 – experiences & reflections
The Tāmaki Makaurau Community Play Streets Pilot 2021 was a partnership between community, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Healthy Families Waitākere, and Healthy Families South Auckland. Nine Play Streets were run across seven neighbourhoods in West and South Auckland, with over 200 children (from toddlers to rangatahi) and 100 adults participating. In this session, project leaders […]
