Playhouse positivity

A competitive building competition has resulted in Marlborough’s only Māori immersion preschool getting a new DIY-themed playhouse.

As part of week four for their NZ RenoTok challenge, Blenheim’s Team Crankiepants, comprising Chris Anker and Nicole Taylor, were challenged to the task at Te Kohanga Reo o Nga Puawai.

After being given the week’s challenge by Kindness Collective, the builders got to work and ‘Te Whare Auaha’, or ‘The House of Creativity’, was opened for its first play session on Wednesday morning.

“All of the kids and teachers have been super excited and surprised as they’ve seen it being built”, says Te Kohanga Reo o Nga Puawai’s Angie Bird.

“Having the team put it together, but also with our own help in putting our own designs and giving it a proper name for the purpose of tamariki to play, create and imagine is perfect.

“Everything here comes from fundraising and community effort and the Kohanga Reo disparities between mainstream early childhood care has only had a few years since pay disparity has been evened out, so this gift will really be treasured.”

The playhouse building came together in four days after Chris and Nicole wrangled in the help of neighbour and Marlborough Boys’ College student Logan Flight for the project over the school holiday week, as well as Mitre 10 ambassador Stan Scott.

The final day of decorating Te Whare Auaha involved the helping hands of Kohanga Reo staff, and ‘master painters’ Chloe and Clara.

Logan says it was a “very cool” project to be involved in.

“I hope they have lots of fun in it because when I was little, I was one of the ones playing with all of the construction toys,” he says.

Stan says there was a little more “aroha and mana” put into the project, knowing where it was going.

“Considering it’s been two days of building, and one day of dressing, it’s a fantastic little playhouse.”