Playcentre Aotearoa recently announced the renaming of Collingwood Playcentre to Aorere Playcentre.
The centre held a blessing to rename their centre and open their new playground on 1 May 2022.
During the process of redesigning the playground the centre approached Mana Whenua ki Mohua for their permission to rename Collingwood Playcentre as Aorere Playcentre, and to re-establish their use of the kōwhaiwhai design that was previously gifted from the Ruru whānau to Nelson Playcentre Association, explained Jessicah Win, a parent at Aorere Playcentre.
In her speech at the new playground’s opening, Win thanked the Ministry of Education, plus Pub Charity and the Golden Bay Community Trust for their financial support to complete the playground project.
According to Win, “the new playspace will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The ribbon cutting at the opening of the new playspace was completed by Cheryl Win, who was a parent at Collingwood Playcentre when her daughters were small, and her grandson Jasper, who attends Aorere Playcentre now.
In attendance from Playcentre Aotearoa were David Moger, Chief Executive, Anna Steel, Upper South Island Regional Manager, Sally Couper, Centre Advisor, Kirsty Brown, Upper South Property Coordinator and Erana Rattray, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori.
For 80 years, Playcentre has been offering families the chance to play, grow, and learn together, as well as to forge meaningful friendships with other families in the community.
Aorere Playcentre welcomes families with children aged 0-6 years. To organise a free visit contact [email protected].
The kowhaiwhai panels at the gates to Aorere Playcentre’s new playground being unveiled by tamariki and their whānau.
