Sport Canterbury’s play trailer is ready for action and available to help communities activate play, and engage and inspire people of all ages to connect as a whānau.

From balls to tug ‘o’ war ropes, mini stilts, to frisbees, hula hoops, to chalk and loose parts, the hope is that there is something in there to meet a wide range of play needs.

Adam Gard’ner, Sport Canterbury's Tamariki Lead - Play and Sport, has a mission as part of the Play, Active Recreation and Sport team: it’s about empowering a play‑centric region that supports healthy people and places.

"It is important that we support communities that value play," he says. "The play trailer can be a resource that can hopefully contribute towards this.”

Launched in 2020, the play trailer was originally a collaborative effort between Healthy Families Ōtautahi and the wider Sport Canterbury team. The trailer itself is a repurposed Sport Canterbury trailer previously used by the Regional Sports Trust.

The purpose of its development was to support communities as they provide time, place and permission for play to happen in their neighbourhoods and communities.

It is not only an enabler of play but also an insights tool.

The name was gifted to the play trailer by Puamiria Parata-Goodall from Te Pākura Ltd. Puamiria leads the naming of many places and buildings across Canterbury on behalf of different rūnanga.

The name of the trailer is Poipoia! Time to Play. Additional background to the naming includes:

• Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai
• Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Since its launch, the trailer has been utilised at many events. Knights Stream School/Mingimingi Hautoa (KSS) is one organisation that has used the resource.

"Our year 2 and 3 team at KSS loved using the play trailer today," says kaiako Katie S, who booked the trailer in early 2026. "It was a fantastic way for our tamariki to connect with their peers in a fun and inclusive environment. There were so many different options to play with and many children even learnt a new skill."

The trailer can be booked for community groups and events. There is currently no fee to hire it (except for missing or damaged equipment or a damaged play trailer).

Instead, we ask the following of people hiring the play trailer to help develop the story of positive impact for play:

• An additional item is to be added to the play trailer (this could be a safe loose parts play piece or a more conventional piece of sports equipment
• Takes a photo in front of the play trailer with the additional play piece they are gifting
• A short blurb of their experience using the play trailer and an insight about play/example of positive impact that has resulted through the use of the play trailer.

Please click here to book the play trailer.

Article updated: Thursday, February 26, 2026