Play Week Aotearoa 2023 is here, celebrating the value play brings to tamariki, whānau and communities across the country.

From Monday, November 6, to Sunday, November 12, Tauranga City Council and Sport Bay of Plenty are encouraging everyone to find time to play – it’s everywhere.

From fort building and scavenger hunts, to hopscotch and hide and seek, we’re lucky in Tauranga Moana to have a city-wide playground at our doorstep, says a council spokesperson.

Play Week is a Sport New Zealand initiative that encourages parents, caregivers and whānau to take time to connect with their kids through play. It’s not only fun, but also helps with kids' learning and development and can positively influence their resilience and wellbeing.

Here in Tauranga, there are plenty of places to play across the maunga (mountain), awa (water), ngahere (forest), taiao (land) and the moana (sea).

Houpikore - Mount Drury is the perfect spot to play some games on a sunny day. Race up and down the hilly steps or explore the trails and caves.

Make a splash and cool off with some manus at the city centre pier. With a purpose-built bombing platform and waterfront tidal steps, there are endless opportunities for play in and around the water.

The Tauranga waterfront pier. Photo: Tauranga City Council.

Play tag within the trees at McLaren Falls, have a go at disc golf, and enjoy a picnic by the lake.

Make sure to stick around until dusk to see the glow worms along the waterfall track.

McLaren Falls Park. Photo: Tauranga City Council.

Head down to Fergusson Park on a windy day to fly a kite.

With great open space unimpeded by trees and hills, you can fly your kite high and have fun with its twists and turns.

Kite flying at Fergusson Park. Photo: Tauranga City Council.

There’s plenty of play to be had down at Kulim Park – whether the kids want to shoot some hoops, build sandcastles, or enjoy a paddle in the water.

With two playgrounds, a flying fox, barbecues and accessible picnic tables right by the sea, it’s a great day out for the whole family.

Kulim Park. Photo: Tauranga City Council.

With so much play to be found across the city, now’s the time to get out and explore, get creative, and join in the fun.

Tauranga City Council spaces and places manager Alison Law says council provides and maintains many spaces for our community to get out and play.

“We maintain over 100 playgrounds, over 250 reserves, seven skateparks, basketball hoops at eleven locations, accessways that provide access to our beautiful coastline, and more," says Alison.

“We’re continuing to improve these and develop more spaces and facilities to ensure we meet the needs of our growing communities. Some of these projects include the recently completed playground upgrade at Te Papa Tākaro o Tongaparaoa - Ila Park, the skate park under construction at Hull Road, and the Marine Parade and Pāpāmoa Coastal Pathways.

“We’re so lucky to have an environment prime for play here in Tauranga Moana, and we’re proud we can keep it maintained and beautiful for our community to enjoy with our dedicated City Operations team.”

Take time out this week to play and see what places and activities you can tick off along the way with Sport Bay of Plenty’s Play Passport.  

Share photos completing the Play Passport activities on Sport Bay of Plenty’s Facebook page giveaway post. Simply comment with your photos to be in to win some epic play prizes.

To find out more about the spaces and places you and your whānau can play across Tauranga Moana, visit the Tauranga City Council Parks and Reserve and Facilities webpages and view the playground map.