Terri Crawford and Jake Topp’s Playcentre Story
It Takes a Village
For Terri Crawford (Ngāti Porou, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Maru) and Jake Topp (Ngāi Tahu, Tūhoe), Playcentre has been more than an early learning choice — it’s been a community, a support network, and a place where their whole whānau has grown together.
At Wainuiomata Playcentre, all four of their tamariki — Indigo (14), Jake (13), Beau (9), and Clover (5) — have come through the centre. For Terri, the decision to join was immediate. “When we visited Playcentre, we just knew — this is it. This is the place we want to be,” she says. “It was the feeling, the vibe. We felt welcomed and supported.”
That sense of belonging has only deepened over time. What stands out most for their whānau is the connection — not just for their children, but for themselves. “It’s the friendships,” Terri says. “Not just here, but out in the community as well. You meet people at Playcentre who become lifelong friends. It opens doors, builds connections, and creates opportunities.”
For families new to the area or without nearby support, that network can be life-changing. “You find your support crew here,” Terri explains. “Whether it’s helping with a new baby, bringing meals, or simply holding a pēpi so a parent can reset — it’s that care for each other that makes Playcentre feel like whānau.”
That spirit of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga is woven into everyday life at Wainuiomata Playcentre. Te Ao Māori values are naturally embedded — from karakia before kai, to waiata and everyday use of te reo Māori. “It’s just how we do things,” Terri says. “Even if people aren’t Māori, they pick it up. The kids learn it naturally.”
Jake played a key role as the centre’s bicultural officer, sharing karakia with both tamariki and parents. “The kids pick it up really fast,” Terri adds. “Even at home we might not use much te reo, but here it just comes out.”
Celebrations such as Matariki bring everyone together — sharing kai, remembering loved ones, singing waiata, and learning together. These moments reflect what Playcentre does best: creating a true village. “You bring all your families together, you teach together, you learn together,” Terri says. “What’s that saying – It takes a village to raise a child. At Playcentre – it really feels like that village.”
That village doesn’t end when children start school. Their older children still return to help out, join events, and reconnect. “They still love coming back,” Terri says. “It’s like home.”
Playcentre has also supported Terri’s own growth. Once shy and standing on the sidelines, she is now a confident Session Facilitator with a Level 4 qualification. “I didn’t realise how much I’d learned until I put it on paper,” she says. “Now I’m leading, speaking up. It’s helped my confidence so much.”
Through her journey, she’s gained valuable skills — from administration and financial management to understanding children’s learning and development — all while learning alongside her tamariki. “You realise parenting and educating go hand in hand,” she says.
At its heart, Playcentre empowers children through play — and parents through participation. “You learn to step back,” Terri explains. “Let your kids get messy, try things, make mistakes. Give them space to figure it out for themselves and build resilience.”
For Terri and Jake, the message to other whānau is simple: come and experience it. “Just give it a go,” Terri says. “You’ll make friends, your kids will thrive, and you’ll become part of something bigger. Before long, you won’t know whose child is whose — because you’re all just whānau.”