New Zealand child care with Mum. —Playcentre
I’ve decided to hold a Kiero DIY workshop at Springvale Playcentre — and there’s a reason it has to be this place.
Ten years ago, I moved to Whanganui from Auckland. One of the first things I did here was take my baby girl to Playcentre. I’d been to an Auckland Playcentre before, with my older daughter, so I already knew what a special place it could be.
It was at Playcentre that I first learned about Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. Te Whāriki means “the woven mat.” It’s about weaving together:
Wellbeing (Mana atua)
Belonging (Mana whenua)
Contribution (Mana tangata)
Communication (Mana reo)
Exploration (Mana aotūroa)
— a beautiful way for a mother and child to learn side by side.
If you’re a first-time mum, you’ll know how hard those early days can be. I certainly did. Playcentre is a place where you can get advice from other mums, just through playing — sometimes even playing in the mud together!
DIY workshop @ Springvale Playcentre Whanganui
So when my second daughter came along, here in Whanganui, I went back to Playcentre.
And there, I found a garden that had been left to itself. So I started looking after it, and the compost too. The centre was trying hard not to waste anything — fruit peels, leftovers from the children’s lunchboxes. I used to take a bucket home with me and empty it into my own compost in the garden.
Looking back now, I wish they’d had a Kiero back then.
That’s why I want to bring one here!
So I’ve decided to hold a Kiero DIY workshop, right here at Springvale Playcentre — the place where my own Whanganui story began.
We’ll look at what a Kiero is, get our hands dirty, and have a go with the drill. You’ll take home a building guide, so you can make your own Kiero at home. If you have a drill, bring it along! And if you’ve never used one before, don’t worry — I’ll be learning right alongside you.
📅 Sunday 13 September, 2:00–4:00pm
📍 Springvale Playcentre, 39 Fox Road, Springvale, Whanganui
💲 Free — bring your friends and family!
I don’t yet know if Kiero will work here in New Zealand. Our soil, our weather, our lives — they’re all a little different. That’s exactly why I’d love to try it with you.
I hope to see you there.
