Takaanini Playcentre has officially reopened its doors, marking a significant milestone for the local community and early childhood education in the Auckland region.
The reopening was celebrated on 27 May with a warm pōwhiri led by Matua Hori Brown and supported by mana whenua and the Playcentre regional team, who welcomed the Playcentre Aotearoa Board, Senior Leadership Team, Papakura Local Board and past and present Playcentre whānau.
Formerly known as “Takanini Playcentre,” the centre has been renamed “Takaanini Playcentre” in honour of local rangatira Ihaka Takaanini, a respected leader known for his service to the Crown, as outlined in this 1 News article on new names proposed for Auckland suburbs.
The renaming of the centre acknowledges the importance of the relationship between Playcentre and mana whenua in guiding and protecting iwi language and culture within the organisation.
Playcentre Aotearoa are looking forward to the centre’s revitalisation and being able to provide a unique range of early childhood education experiences for families in the local community.
“After lying dormant for several years, we are thrilled to re-open Takaanini Playcentre and re-establish it as a vibrant hub for whānau in this growing community,” said Kiri McCabe, Regional Manager, Playcentre Aotearoa.
“With the area experiencing significant residential and business growth, the timing couldn’t be better,” says McCabe.
The centre is set to launch a variety of sessions later this year, including a dedicated Pasifika session, two mixed age play sessions for tamariki from birth to school age and a Space infant programme for parents with babies from newborn to one year old.
In addition, local community group Kaha Wahine Kotahitanga will be using the facilities weekly, further embedding the centre as a cornerstone of community engagement.
Enrolments at Takaanini Playcentre will open in Term 3, 2025. To join the wait list please email [email protected].
Photo (left to right): Heather Ruru (Co-President, Playcentre Aotearoa), Karen Thomas (Professional Learning and Development Facilitator, Playcentre Aotearoa), Kiri McCabe (Regional Manager, Playcentre Aotearoa), Brent Catchpole (Chair, Papakura Local Board), Dr Craig Rofe (Pou Māori, Playcentre Aotearoa), Jan Robinson (Deputy Chair, Papakura Local Board), Matua Hori Brown, Logan Ellis (Rangatira, Te Kōhanga Reo o Hūmārie) and Natalie-Rose Te Hei (Trustee, Playcentre Aotearoa).