Youth of all ages are invited to a free Block Party at Katikati Skate Park next Friday from 3pm to 7pm.
The event marks Aotearoa Play Week 2026 from October 19 to 25. It will be hosted by Katikati Community-Led Development (KKCLD) and Katikati Community Centre.
KKCLD marketing and administrator Renette Kruger said Aotearoa Play Week is a Sport Bay of Plenty (Sport BOP) initiative with the theme ‘Whānau play where whānau are’ – celebrating how tamariki (children) and whānau (families) can play in everyday spaces like parks, backyards, streets, beaches and schools.
The BOP region will have a range of free Play Week activities scheduled from October 19 to 25.
In Katikati, Sport BOP will fund the Block Party on October 23, Kruger said.
“KKCLD is collabing with the [Katikati] community centre to host this event,” she said. “We were successful in applying for funds through Sport BOP’s Play Week Aotearoa initiative.”
Kruger said the free Block Party is a youth-led initiative.
“The youth from KKCLD decided that they wanted to have a party on the Friday afternoon [of October 23].”
The event’s free activities had also been brainstormed by the youth of KKCLD, which meet monthly, she said. “And, we’re calling it Katikati Block Party, which has also come from the youth.”
Activities will include Rippa rugby, frisbee, a half pipe skate ramp next to the skate park, a dunk tank, bubble wands, a play trailer and a free sausage sizzle and water. Each hour there will be a free lolly scramble too!
“The local rugby and frisbee clubs are running their code’s offering, because what we found from youth is that they want to play sport but do so casually, for fun, instead of in a club,” Kruger said.
To cater to all ages of families, Kruger said Plunket will be present with activities for under-5s, and the Katikati Community Centre’s play trailer will be set up.
“This event is for all ages. Everything is free – just turn up to play,” she said. “Kids can go from activity to activity – and families can come and leave when they want.”
At Waihī Beach, a Whānau Nature Play Day will be on Sunday from 10am-2pm as part of Aotearoa Play Week 2026.
The free event, held at Waihī Beach School, invites families to playful nature stations that spark imagination, movement and connection with nature and each other. The self-guided experience will allow participants to explore at their own pace.
In a statement, Sport BOP said it encouraged parents, whānau, schools, organisations and communities across the region to get involved in Aotearoa Play Week 2026 by creating more opportunities for tamariki to play in everyday places.
“Play does not need fancy equipment, organised activities or big budgets to make a lasting impact.
“Often, all tamariki need is time, space and permission to explore, imagine, move, connect and have fun in ways that bring them joy,” Sport BOP said.
“Whether it is climbing trees, making up games, playing sport, building forts, rolling down hills or simply mucking around with friends, play helps tamariki learn, grow and thrive.”
Find out more about what’s on offer during Aotearoa Play Week 2026 at: www.sportbop.co.nz/news--events/news/play-week-2026-whanau-play-where-whanau-are/