Sport Canterbury has been working with Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa (SNZ) to advocate for well-connected neighbourhoods through play.

This work is part of the Neighbourhood Play System, a model developed by SNZ. This system aims to grow play in neighbourhoods through projects co-designed with schools and kura, and the local community. It takes a locally-led approach by striving to understand and build on community strengths.

Read more:

• Partnership to enhance Play opportunities for disabled tamariki
• Skate the city
• Let's Play at home

The model acknowledges play happens throughout the neighbourhood and community, including driveways, streets, parks, reserves, green spaces and alleys. 

It aims to address gaps in knowledge about the planning, design and implementation of informal play systems.

The goal is to encourage activating play in spaces and communities, to support positive outcomes for play.

Each Neighbourhood Play System project places the tamariki at the centre of the process, including the voices of their whānau and the community. Tamariki can tell us where and how they play, and what’s enabling or preventing them from playing at school and in their neighbourhood.

The Neighbourhood Play System approach aligns well with schools and communities, especially those involved in Healthy Active Learning. It also connects with the local council and various community stakeholders.

Many people already support, advocate for and enable play. The Neighbourhood Play System model formalises this mahi, encourages collaboration (internally and externally), and outlines a way to support a sustainable approach to developing and maintaining the right conditions for quality play for tamariki in a defined neighbourhood and community.

The Neighbourhood Play System reports serve as a guide to encourage collaboration in supporting the opportunities identified. Sport Canterbury is monitoring the progress of these opportunities as they develop.

Improving the quality of and access to play systems in local areas can help all tamariki develop a love of play and being physically active, which is essential for the physical and cognitive development of tamariki.

The following Neighbourhood Play System reports have been undertaken in the Waitaha Canterbury region:

• Ara Tū Whakatā Gilberthorpe School
• Bishopdale School Te Kura Papakōhatu
• Haeata Community Campus
• Te Manu Tukutuku South Hornby School
• Grantlea Downs School
• Te Kura o Cobden School
• Te Kura o Matarangi Northcote School

Read the reports and more about the Neighbourhood Play System on SNZ's website: The Neighbourhood Play System | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa (sportnz.org.nz).

Article added: Friday 04 October 2024