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No. 41 (December 1962)
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Play Centres in
Maori Communities

by A. Grey

Do children under five need pre-school experience? Do Maori children need pre-school experience? What kind of pre-school experience is best for children under five?

Every year sees more children attending a pre-school. So if we judge by numbers only, we get the answer to our first questions—yes, children under five do need pre-school experience. Do Maori children need this experience? Yes, being children, they naturally need it, like all other children do.

But what kind of pre-school for Maori children, any children? One kind of pre-school being developed with increasing swiftness throughout New Zealand is the Play Centre.

Widespread Interest

Play Centres have become full, affiliated members of the Play Centre Association in Maori communities at Kokohuia and Te Ahu Ahu and another is nearly ready for affiliation at Tikitiki. Others are under consideration at Pukepoto, Te Hapua, Oruawharo, Omaio Bay, Ruatoria, Waiomatatini, to mention just a few names.

Impetus was given in Northland earlier and has continued in its development under the hands of Mrs G. Andrews, Onerahi, Liaison Officer for the Northland Sub-Association of the Auckland Play Centres Association.

On the East Coast and Bay of Plenty the first moves came from Alison McIntosh, Health Nurse, Tikitiki, and from school teachers on the Coast at Rangitukia, Tikitiki, Ruatoria and other areas, in discussion with Mrs O. E. Bickerton, County Liaison Officer, Auckland Play Centres Association.

Then in May 1962 the Ruatoria Maori Leaders' Conference gave time to discussions on Play Centre. This was reinforced by a talk to interested groups in Gisborne, Ruatoria and Tikitiki, and still further by a tour of the Bay of Plenty and East Coast by the Director of Supervisor Training, Auckland Play Centres Association, Mr A. Grey and his family.

On a five-day tour they demonstrated, lectured,

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FORESTRY
and working plans

In any business correct planning is important, and never more than for a long term enterprise. But when it deals with assets of the magnitude of New Zealand's forests, a well-considered plan is a first essential. The New Zealand Forest Service, for each forest under its care, prepares a Working Plan. It prescribes every operation for the life of the forest. And while it provides for continuity of management, it can be revised to incorporate new methods and techniques. The Forest Service maintains constant research to secure maximum yields per acre, a maximum use of wood from thinnings, and a maximum financial return. As with any other business, the management of timber crops is expected to be prudent and profitable. And this is the task of the New Zealand Forest Service.

Forestry is forever

Issued in the interest of forest protection by The New Zealand Forest Service.

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discussed and organized Play Centre interest at Omaio Bay, Tikitiki, Ruatoria, Tokomaru Bay, Patutahi, Mangapapa, Whatatutu, Matawai, Maungatapu, and Matapihi.

Enthusiastic Parents

Play Centre has only one magical quality about it—the enthusiasm of parents for the welfare of their children. All the rest is sound common sense. Parents of pre-school aged children find a suitable local hall, meeting-house or house. The mothers and fathers make most of the equipment they need, from working drawings supplied by the Play Centre Association. They raise the money, from as little as £15 to as much as they can acquire. They discuss the basic Play Centre information contained in four booklets, or on long-playing gramophone or tape recordings. They bring forward three, four, five or six parents to qualify as Helpers; either one, two or three of these Helpers go on to qualify and become the holders of an Assistant's Certificate, and one or two to continue to qualify and become the holders of a full Supervisor's Certificate. An affiliated Play Centre runs for 20 children, two or three half days a week, under a parent who is fully trained and certificated for this age-group of children.

For Any Parents, Anywhere

Play Centre can be for any group of parents anywhere. It is for Maoris and pakehas. It is designed for children as a place where they can learn by playing with other children. It is designed for parents as a place where they can become the kinds of parents they want to be with their children. It is designed for the community as a place where adults co-operate in building a service for youth that leads on to the welfare of the citizens of tomorrow.

Out of seven New Zealand cadets who graduated from the Officer Cadet School at Portsea in Australia recently, the two highest placings were gained by Maoris.

They were Second Lieutenant A. R. Kiwi of Raurimu, who was third in a class of 43, and Second Lieutenant T. K. Tapuke of New Plymouth, who was sixth.

The Adjutant-General, Brigadier W. S. McKinnon, said that when the new officers returned to New Zealand, they will be posted to Waiouru for post-graduate training, and they will be attached to the National Military Unit for further experience.

Later, those in the Infantry Corps can expect to see service in Malaya.