Play Strategy

Play in Invercargill has been primarily delivered through the Parks and Recreation division within the Community Spaces and Places Group. However, Council knows that in reality, Play goes beyond parks and playgrounds and is experienced and delivered across a much broader spectrum of opportunities in Invercargill and Bluff, including the Library, Splash Palace, informal recreation spaces, at schools, within streetscapes, via non-profit providers, events, and many other private suppliers.

Following the appointment of the Local Play Advocate with the support from Sport NZ funding, Councils' main focus on Play has been on understanding how play relates to all of its work and developing relationships with groups and organisations to understand their ideas and aspirations around Play in the city. From here, we are ready to incorporate these ideas, and yours into a strategy that ensures Play is prioritised Council-wide.

What do we mean by Play? Play involves any activities that are self-chosen, self-directed, intrinsically motivated, creative, and personally structured. In other words, the stuff we do mostly just for fun.

To help frame our new strategy, we want to hear what you love, wish and wonder about Play in our community.

Love: What’s your favourite play space/opportunity in the city? What do you love about it? What do you think we do well?

Wish: What’s missing or what would you like to see more of? What do you want to see or experience, where would you want it and why?

Wonder: What could be possible if we made a change, big or small, about our approach to play, or looked at using our existing resources differently?

If you want to support your child in making a submission, we also welcome children writing/drawing their responses to these questions at He Waka Tuia’s PLAY 3.0 Exhibition between 22 June and 10 August 2024. We would also love to receive their feedback through our submission boxes or online.

Remember, Play is not just for the young, or the young at heart. No matter your age or stage, you can tell us what your priorities are for Play and help us create a more playful and vibrant city for everyone to enjoy.

Share your ideas in the forum below, or complete a submission form before Saturday 10 August.