TĀKARO | PLAY

Play is important for everyone, especially children. It is a crucial part of physical, cognitive, social/emotional and spiritual development that can have a huge positive impact.

What is Tākaro | Play?

Play is intrinsically motivated. It is spontaneous and can happen anywhere.

Play is personally directed, with no or limited adult involvement

Play is freely chosen. It is self-determined with no pre-determined outcome

Play is fun, accessible, social and challenging. It develops skills for life.

Play allows children to experience fun, joy and laughter in a way that is important to them. It’s also where they develop and practice life skills. - Sport New Zealand)

Why is Tā​​​​​​​karo | Play important?

Sport NZ define Play as:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Play is important for everyone, especially children, as it is a crucial part of their physical, cognitive, social/emotional and spiritual development that can have a huge positive impact.

  • Play is a fun way to be physically active while developing fundamental movement skills
  • Play encourages self-directed creativity and innovation
  • Play improves social and emotional connection
  • Play develops relationships and understanding of the physical environment
  • Play improves resilience, independence, and leadership
  • Play allows for decision making and assessing risks and challenges

Source: https://sportnz.org.nz/media/1654/sport-new-zealand-play-principles-nov-2017.pdf

Contact Person 

Hester Stretton

Play Advisor 

[email protected]

Phone: 06 759 0930​​​​​​​

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of The Child states:

“Every Child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and arts.”