3 December 2021

Kia ora Playcentre Aotearoa Whānau

This weekend saw the completion of the Playcentre Aotearoa reconvened 2021 AGM.  We would like to thank the Representatives from each whare who participated in this year’s AGM, giving their time and energy to understand and fulfil their role, and other members who shared their wisdom and skills with our governors along the way, including many of our valued life and associate members.  We hope that Centres and Rōpū feel their voice has been heard and we look forward to continuing our governance work together in the new year.  

The outcomes of the AGM 2021 can be found here.

With the completion of this mahi comes a time of welcomes and farewells.

The Board congratulates and warmly welcomes our new members – Ann Langis as incoming Tāngata Tiriti Co-President, alongside Gemma Scott and Hayley Kirk-Smith as incoming Tāngata Tiriti Trustees. Michelle Hutton remains as a Trustee. Bes Lironi-Irvine and Heather Ruru are welcomed as incoming Te Whare Tikanga Māori Trustees, with Avis Stewart remaining as Te Whare Tikanga Māori Co-President and Ranee Davies as a Trustee. The process to induct our new Board members is underway.

Additionally, the Board would like to farewell and sincerely thank outgoing Trustees, Tiso Ross and Char Martin, for their years spent supporting the organisation. Tiso joined the Trustee Board as a Tāngata Tiriti Trustee at AGM 2018, and Char as a Te Whare Tikanga Māori Trustee at AGM 2019. Both have worked tirelessly with great passion to see the organisation through the initial amalgamation phase, and more recently navigating the global pandemic that has had such an effect on every aspect of our lives. We appreciate the commitment, time, mahi and support these wāhine have willingly given as their contribution to Playcentre Aotearoa.  Char has also written her own farewell to the organisation, which can be found here.

The Board would also like to express heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Gill Morgan. Gill was supported to be nominated as a Trustee by the Tāngata Tiriti Emerging Leadership Group pre Tāngata Tiriti Hui 2020, and started her induction with the Board in February 2021.  Gill has offered intelligent, empathetic and wise support to the outgoing Board over the last nine months and her input was appreciated

We would also like to give a special thanks to all our Playcentre Aotearoa Employees.  We thank you for unfailingly showing great care and commitment to your work on behalf of our Centres, and we have high hopes for a great year ahead under the leadership of our new CE David Moger. 

2021 has been a fragmented, difficult year for all on so many levels. As the year comes to a close the Board, both old and new reflect that all of us have been through so much. We really encourage our Centres, membership and staff to take care of their wellbeing over the holidays. We wish everyone peace, time with loved ones and rest over the Christmas and New Year break. The Board look forward to coming back together in 2022 with renewed energy in unity, respect and whanaungatanga.

Ngā mihi nui,

Ann, Avis, Bes, Gemma, Hayley, Heather, Michelle & Ranee