Ladies at the Te Ahu Ahu Playcentre have a chat with Mr Grey over morning tea. The pre-school Officer of the Maori Education Foundation, Mr Grey has a special interest in playcentres. The Te Ahu Ahu Playcentre Mrs Ruhe's article is one of a series ‘Te Ao Hou’ is publishing on playcentres in Maori communities. Some of our photographs, which are by Ans Westra, were taken at Te Ahu Ahu, and some at the playcentre in nearby Te Hapua. An awareness in the need of pre-school education among Maori children recently brought about the formation, in Te Ahu Ahu, of a commitee of keen parents to look into the matter. The first meeting was held at Parawhenua Hall on 1 April 1961 with Mrs Kathleen Sarich as Guest Speaker, an experienced mother from the Okaihau Playcentre. She spoke briefly of the many duties in Playcentre and how each mother must be prepared to help when her turn came to assist the Supervisor who supervised at all sessions. Te Ahu Ahu and Waimate North Maori Women's Welfare Leagues each donated £10 to start off the funds, and with Street Stalls, card evenings and personal donations, the committee was soon able to purchase the more expensive equipment. The Committee was most fortunate to obtain the Community Hall adjacent to the school to use as a Playcentre, and also the permission of the Education Department to use the school's water and toilet facilities.

Helpful Information In September 1961 Miss M. Toia, chief instigator of the project, went to Waiwera with two Maori mothers to a Supervisors' Refresher Course which proved most helpful and they returned to their community bursting with use ful information. The Committee anticipated opening on the first school day of 1962 but sand and other equipment did not arrive in time so opening day was delayed till 14 March 1962, when eight children were enrolled.