Our story
Our story starts on a playground in London in the 1960s, and it grows every day as we draw like-minded people together to uphold the right of every child to play.
Our values
It’s who we are
Our story is grounded in our values – it’s who we are, what we stand for and what we offer those around us. Good things come from Play Aotearoa and the more people that know our story, the greater chance we have to grow our voice and make a difference for all tamariki and rangatahi.
Our values represent what we believe in and who we aspire to be. At a time of unprecedented change, challenge and opportunity, our values guide our behaviours day-to-day, informing how we act, the decisions we make, and how we work with each other, children, and our communities.
Manaakitanga
We respect tamariki and rangatahi as members of a whānau and community, their rights and their right to play.
Whakamanawa
We proactively engage within our communities to strengthen and inspire opportunities for play.
Kaitiakitanga
We are champions for tamariki and rangatahi, and their play environments now and into the future.
Kotahitanga
Together we strive for wellbeing, belonging and mana across all ages.
Mātauranga
We share our knowledge, wisdom, understanding and skills to support communities to recognise the value of play.
Our history
Our time in business
A new perspective
We have strong roots in Aotearoa. In 1961, our Life Member, Beverley Morris, volunteered at an Adventure Playground in South London for children with disabilities. There, she met Lady Allen of Hurtwood, the landscape architect who designed the playground. As a result of this connection, Beverley became a member of the International Play Association (IPA) and went on to represent New Zealand at many international play conferences.
Become a member
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.
