‘Say Yes to Play’ during Play Week

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Play Week 2021 kicks off next week with seven days of fun-filled action for the whole family.

The nationwide initiative aims to encourage whānau, rangatahi and tamariki to “Say Yes to Play”.

Led by Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti (SGT) and Healthy Families East Cape are running the initiative regionally.

SGT regional play systems lead Anna Tolich says play is the easiest way for Kiwi tamariki and their whānau to stay active.

“Play is a fun, unstructured and sometimes a messy way for our tamariki to develop the essential life skills they need such as problem-solving, movement skills, creativity, social and emotional connections, resilience, independence, leadership and informed risk-taking.”

There is no rulebook for play. It looks, feels and sounds different to everyone, Anna says. It doesn't need to be formal, structured or cost money. It can be as easy as going outside and exploring your own backyard.

“If we think back to our childhood memories, play was spontaneous, child-led and directed, freely chosen with no predetermined outcome, fun, accessible, challenging, social and repeatable.

“It was usually based outdoors in nature and highly active, with elements of challenge and risk that tested boundaries in an imaginative way.

“Share your play memories and old school games with your tamariki and inspire the next generation to play every day.”

To celebrate Play Week, SGT and Healthy Families East Cape will be running themed challenges ranging from dress-ups and sand sculpting to fort building and chalk play.

There's also a $250 HART Sport voucher to be won for your favourite school or kura through SGT's Facebook page, which will also feature daily challenges.

All you have to do is show your whānau, colleagues or school and kura saying “Yes to Play”.