Scooter boards, Nerf Howlers, skipping ropes, foxtail balls, hopscotch and more – the new PlayPod at Gore Multisport Complex is stocked with equipment tamariki can explore. 

The PlayPod is designed for children aged 3 – 10 and can be booked by families, schools, and community groups looking for a fun and active way to play together.  

Unlike fixed playground structures, PlayPods are filled with equipment and loose parts that encourage tamariki to lead play, create their own games, and engage with whānau in ways that they can enjoy together. 

Healthy Families Invercargill Play Innovator Megan has been working alongside local schools, community groups and families to bring PlayPods to the region.  

“Loose parts play is simple but important. It encourages less competitive play and more creativity, coordination, and connections across generations,” Megan says. 

PlayPods are already established at the ILT Stadium, Ohai Marae, Ngā Kete Matauranga Pounamu, and Bluff - and now tamariki in Gore have the same opportunity. 

East Gore School Tumuaki (Principal) Dana Turnbull says the PlayPod is more than just a fun way to pass time; it supports key learning and development. 

“It’s awesome to see our tamariki engaging with the different play equipment. 

“It supports social skills, interactions, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills – and reminds our whānau what a great facility this is.” 

Beyond fun, the PlayPod also supports tamariki health and wellbeing, helping build strength, balance, and confidence while reducing stress. 

For whānau, it’s a chance to connect, be active together and strengthen relationships. 

This is just one of the many ways Healthy Families Invercargill are supporting play in our region. By giving tamariki and whānau the chance to get active, explore, and have fun together, initiatives like this help build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. 

PlayPods and Systems Change 

Through the lens of the six conditions of systems change, PlayPods have helped Healthy Families Invercargill shift the way our community thinks and structures play. Instead of relying only on fixed playgrounds, PlayPods open up opportunities for tamariki to engage in loose-parts play, encouraging creativity and collaboration.  

This work is helping reshape mental models about play. It is no longer seen as just “something fun to do”, it is recognised as essential for health, learning, creativity and overall wellbeing. By challenging the idea that playgrounds must be fixed structures, PlayPods reframes play as dynamic, flexible and led by the community. 

It helps shift relationships too. Whānau are encouraged to join in as partners in play, rather than simply watching from the sidelines. 

A small koha for using the PlayPod helps the Gore Multisport Complex keep the equipment fresh and well-maintained, creating a sustainable flow of resources so tamariki can enjoy it for years to come. 

Article added: Thursday 18 September 2025