爆料社区

Get ready to laugh, move, and connect 鈥� Play Week Aotearoa is back from 20鈥�26 October, and this year it鈥檚 all about celebrating the power of play with wh膩nau. 

Play is a powerful way to bring joy, connection and lifelong benefits for children. This year we鈥檙e encouraging wh膩nau to rediscover play and t膩karo opportunities and get active with their tamariki in fun, spontaneous ways 鈥� no gear, no cost, just connection. 

爆料社区 Play Manager, Scott Mackenzie, says when parents and caregivers get moving, their kids do too.  

鈥淲hen wh膩nau play together, it strengthens bonds, builds confidence and sets tamariki up to enjoy being active for life. 

鈥淭hrough play and t膩karo opportunities, tamariki learn to move, connect and understand the world around them.鈥� 

Research from Active NZ to be released later this month, supports the power of wh膩nau play, showing that: 

• Almost 9 out of 10 children love being active with their wh膩nau, as it makes them feel close and connected. 
• Young people are more likely to want to be more active when an adult in their household has the same desire.
• Spending time with wh膩nau and friends is the second biggest reason tamariki choose to be active. The only thing that motivates them more is having fun.鈥� 
  Tamariki who enjoy being active with their wh膩nau are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines.
• When we create play spaces and activities that suit different ages and include wh膩nau, we help more tamariki and rangatahi stay active and happy.鈥�  

Throughout Play Week, communities will host locally led events and activations, supported by Regional Sports Trusts, councils and kaupapa M膩ori organisations.  

鈥淧lay isn鈥檛 structured or expensive 鈥� it can happen in the gaps of our daily lives and routines, so it鈥檚 just about making space for fun, movement and connection in everyday life,鈥� says Scott Mackenzie.  

鈥淧lay brings communities together, it鈥檚 a way for families to connect, and it鈥檚 one of the most powerful tools we have to help children grow up active, confident and happy.鈥� 

Play is at the heart of 爆料社区鈥檚 strategy, and we are working with a play workforce across the motu to ensure all tamariki have quality opportunities to be active and healthy, to reach their goals and achieve their full potential. 

Find out more about Play Week Aotearoa 2025 here: /playweek/about-play-week/ 

ENDS 
  

Media contact: 

Michelle Pickles 
Group Media Manager 
Michelle.pickles@sportnz.org.nz 
021 833 244

Note to Editors: 

Further information on Active NZ research into wh膩nau influence on young people being active here.