On 28 October, Takapau Playcentre held a whakatuwhera (opening/ open day) to bless the land purchased by Playcentre Aotearoa for their Centre.
The Centre were fortunate to have Huia Borell, kaumātua providing karakia to bless the land and the people of Takapuna Playcentre. He mihi nunui mō tō tautoko i te kaupapa nui nei, tēnā koe e te Rangatira.
The whakatuwhera was attended by tamariki and whānau from Takapau Playcentre, Playcentre Aotearoa staff, and members of the Takapau community, who shared a karakia and kai to mark the occasion. Two fruit trees were also gifted by the Playcentre Aotearoa Regional Office to add to the orchard the Centre is developing.
The whakatuwhera was an opportunity to showcase Playcentre to the community, and included the regular Playcentre activities, as well as a bouncy castle, giant outdoor Jenga, cornhole game and bubble machine.
Judith Finlay, past member of Takapau Playcentre and local kaumātua in the Takapau-Norsewood-Ormondville Presbyterian Church attended the event and remembers attending Takapau Playcentre when she was a little girl.
Judith’s mother, Nancy Hames, was a founding member of the Takapau Playcentre when it opened in the Takapau Town Hall (as a pack-away centre). Judith’s daughter, Kirstina Finlay, is now a member of Takapau Playcentre with her son, Oakley Hickey.
Since 1959, Takapau Playcentre has been offering families the chance to play, learn and grow together, as well as to forge meaningful friendships with other families in the community.
According to former Playcentre parent, and current Session Support employee, Donna Te Amo, “Takapau Playcentre is a great place to make connections with other parents in the community and create a supportive parenting network.”
“Because parents attend and play alongside their tamariki, this means parents create strong friendships and gain a sense of belonging within the Takapau Playcentre community, as do their tamariki,” says Ms Te Amo.
Takapau Playcentre is open on Wednesday mornings from 9am to 12pm and welcomes families with children from birth to school age.
You can contact them to arrange a free visit on [email protected].
Judith Finlay, Kirstina Finlay, and Oakley Hickey, who all attended Takapau Playcentre throughout the years.
