Young children learn through playing, and it is important that they should have suitable equipment, the chance to play in groups, and kindly, understanding people to supervise their play. When a community wishes to provide its children with a play centre where these things are available, the N.Z. Play Centre Association helps them to get started, and trains mothers who are interested to act as supervisers. In a later issue of Te Ao Hou we will be publishing an account of the facilities which are necessary and the help which is available. Meanwhile, here is the account of a trip which Mrs Andrews, an official in the N.Z. Play Centre Association, made to certain parts of Northland to discuss play centres with parents. A Northland Play Centre Tour by Gwen Andrews The New Zealand Play Centre Association hopes to assist in the establishment of play centres in Maori country areas and this tour was our first attempt to visit people, talk to them and arouse their interest. My thoughts at this time are perhaps irrelevant, but may be of interest. I had no expectations of failure or success but determined to keep an open mind. My knowledge of the Maori people was very little, I was English and a foreigner, so it could be understood if I felt apprehension. Who was I to be visiting groups unknown to me and suggesting a new way of life for their pre-school children? To talk and enthuse about it was one thing, to be actually doing it quite a different story. And so to my welcome from the Maori people; such warmth and friendliness I had not dreamt about. My first visit among them will always remain very special in my thoughts.

Waihou The tour was arranged under the auspices of the Maori Affairs Department, Whangarei. I journeyed up north to Okaihau with Mr Pihema, a Maori Welfare Officer; there we met Miss Paitai, also a Maori Welfare Officer, who was to take us to our first meeting place in North Hokianga. Waihou had made preparations to receive us that morning, and on arrival we were duly welcomed by the Elders who were present, Mr S. Ngarapo and Mrs and Mrs K. Tetai. An elder from a nearby village, Mrs M. Ngarapo, was also present. Altogether twenty-five people attended the meeting. We listened to the speeches of welcome, not without qualms on my part as I noted their easy eloquence and wondered about my talk, then we settled down to the purpose of our visit. I told them how children learn for themselves if we provide the opportunity; that is, the right kind of play equipment, sufficient space and time for them to grow in, companionship and good supervision. How play equipment carefully planned and designed can help children to develop in all ways; how groups of parents who are concerned about their pre-school children can band together and establish their own play centres, and how this is being accomplished all over New Zealand. The audience listened attentively, and in the discussion that followed, the elders were particularly interested in the social adjustment of the young children before they go to school. The discussion brought to light a concern felt by many present, that to solve the educational problems of young children we must start in the important pre-school years.

Punguru The evening of the same day there was a gathering at the meeting-house Punguru, and thirty-nine people came to see a showing of slides taken at a play centre. The slides were of the various kinds of play and depict the meaning of play far more vividly than words. I met Father Wanders at this meeting, the Roman Catholic priest of Punguru and the surrounding area. He is greatly admired and respected by the people, and an inspiration to them all. He has worked for many years to obtain a District High School at Punguru, and now that wish is to become a reality. As we journeyed along next morning, Miss Paitai fell into her task of Maori Welfare Officer, and it was indeed enlightening to me to see her at work. All the people she knew, not only their names, but their hopes and fears also. We stopped to chat first with one family and then another. It was the same story in Miss Toia's area. I had the impression of one large happy family. Many was the hand that I shook during the three day tour.

A Fish for Tea We waited patiently on the banks of the Hokanga for the car ferry. Miss Paitai caught sight of a fisherman in a dinghy a little further along … ‘Why it's Fanny! Hullo Fanny, how are you?’