The Gisborne District Council in collaboration with Whiti Ora, hosted the first Play Street in Tairāwhiti.
Play took over Edwards Street with the road being cordoned off so that around 20 tamariki and whānau could come together to participate in a range of play activities including cricket, chalk drawing, bicycles, frisbees and parachute games.
“It was so cool to see tamariki and whānau playing safely together on the street, just like how many of us grew up.” said Whiti Ora Regional Play System Lead Anna Tolich.
Play Streets create safe spaces for play by temporarily restricting traffic to streets, so that neighbours can play safely and freely outside their own front door. This allows tamariki to play, and neighbours of all ages to connect.
“Our communities have been through a lot recently” said Gisborne District Council Play Advocate Katie Kennedy.
“It was amazing to see everyone coming together, in some cases meeting each other for the first time, sharing stories and creating some wonderful playful moments.”
“This Play Street was a pilot for us, and we’re hoping to take learnings and develop guidelines and processes so neighbourhoods across Tairāwhiti can host their own Play Street in 2024.”
