Titiro whakamuri, kokiri whakamua.
Look back and reflect so we can move forward.
Waitangi Day
Kia ora, e te whanau! Nau mai, hoki mai welcome back to Playcentre Aotearoa 2025!
Recently we have commemorated the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on 6 February 1840.
Me haere tonu, Let’s embark on a year filled with exciting learning experiences, explore your local taiao environment and bring back some natural rauemi resources to your centre, add some new kupu words to your kete basket of te reo Māori, kanikani dance and swing your poi to some waiata and celebrate the uniqueness of your community!
Ka nui te mihi to our amazing Communications and Social Media Team for our Waitangi Day promotions which we are sharing here with you in case you missed it.
Spotify Lists
We’ve launched two new Spotify playlists!
Listen along for a Waitangi Day activity, or anytime!
Playcentre – Waiata Tamariki (Children’s Songs): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1trzhLc525DfZz4AP2OMRF?si=92c8046999c14d56
Playcentre – Waiata Katoa (Songs for everyone): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3zzTxjBYRnVd3RQLoWmP47?si=e876e06420574c2f
Waitangi Day Whakataetae
The Waitangi Day whakataetae (competition) has now closed.
Congratulations to Otumoetai, Howick and Welcome Bays Playcentres! You have each won a $100 Playcentre Shop voucher to go towards your centre.
Tino pai rawa atu e te whānau!
Join Rōpu Māori at Playcentre
If you identify as being whānau of tamariki Māori within Playcentre then you might wish to join our Rōpū Māori!
Rōpū are groups within Te Whare Tikanga Māori (a group of current and past whānau who are tangata whenua or who have tamariki who whakapapa Māori).
Our Rōpū provide a space for rangatiratanga (self-determination) and kawanatanga (governance).
Rōpū members bring their needs, and the needs of their tamariki, to governance discussions through their elected representatives. This ensures that decisions:
- reflect the aspirations of whānau Māori
- prioritise whānau Māori, and
- support nurturing environments where whānau Māori can thrive, and tamariki can confidently learn and grow.
Rōpū are organised on a geographical basis. Each of the six Rōpū has up to four representatives to advocate for their collective interests.
More information on Rōpū and how to contact your elected Rōpū representatives.
Download a flyer about joining Rōpū Māori to use at your Centre:
Who do our Representatives represent?
Playcentre’s 6 Governance Regions ensure that whānau across Aotearoa have a voice at the national level. These regions closely align with our 5 Operational Regions but are structured to support our governance model.
Each Governance Region has eight spaces for Representatives - four for Te Whare Tikanga Māori and four for Tangata Tiriti – who will represent Playcentre whānau in their region.
These Representatives will be selected by centre whānau at the Representative Selection and Endorsement Hui on 26th February 2025.
Find out more about the six governance regions.
More information on becoming a Representative.
Playcentre’s Two-Whare Model
Playcentre’s Two Whare model, adopted in 2012 from Dr. Whatarangi Winiata’s Tiriti-based co-governance framework, is one of the many ways Playcentre honours and upholds our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
This governance structure is built on a partnership model with two Whare (Houses):
Te Whare Tikanga Māori – A space for current and past Playcentre whānau who are tangata whenua or have tamariki who whakapapa Māori. It provides an opportunity for whanaungatanga; a space for Māori to foster strong relationships and networks, and for rangatiratanga; a space for consultation and involvement in decision-making.
Tangata Tiriti House – A space for current and past Playcentre whānau who are not part of Te Whare Tikanga Māori, committed to working in partnership and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Each Whare supports centre whānau, through their hapori (community) networks to:
- Vote for Trustees
- Vote for their Representatives
- Engage in consultation processes initiated by the Board of Trustees
Empowering whānau to actively shape Playcentre’s future!
Ready to step up?
Find out more about the Representative role.
Find out more about the Two Whare model.