Kia Kaha, Kia Ora | Be Active, Be Well

Transform your street into a place for play

Imagine your neighbourhood street transformed into a lively, buzzing playground. Where, for a few hours, cars give way to chalk, neighbours emerge from behind closed doors, and the street becomes a stage for imagination and connection. ​​​​​​​

What is a Play Street?

Play Streets provide a safe environment for children and parents to be active in their neighbourhood through play and social engagement with their neighbours. They are small, resident-led, local events held on quiet neighbourhood streets during daylight hours. Temporary vehicle restrictions make it easier for residents to organise their own play street events compared with larger-scale events.

Play Streets have become really popular in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Sport NZ and Waka Kotahi have been working closely together, alongside councils, Regional Sports Trusts and other partner organisations, to make it easier for Play Streets to happen in Aotearoa.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Play Streets are a fun way for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to play outside, be active, get to know each other, and promote better connected neighbourhoods. There are lots of benefits for everyone taking part – whether you’re a parent or caregiver, neighbour or tamariki. ​​​​​​​

Getting started

Organising a Play Street is easier than you might think. By following the straightforward steps below, or by downloading the toolkit, you can create a fun and safe environment for your community to enjoy. The process, from submitting your application to receiving the necessary consent, typically takes around four to six weeks. ​​​​​​​

Step One​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Work out if your street is suitable for a Play Street event.

Not all streets are suitable, but quiet local streets such as cul-de-sacs are generally ideal. When considering whether your street would make a great Play Street, think playful, quiet, and low-risk. 

Step Two

Contact our Play Lead to discuss your Play Street event.

Check with our Play Lead to see if your council supports Play Streets. Our Play Lead will guide you through completing a Play Street application, and the Health and safety requirements you need to know about. ​​​​​​​

Step Three

Get your neighbours on board.

Once you're clear on council requirements and whether your street is suitable for a Play Street, it's time to reach out to your neighbours. Let them know you'd like to hold a Play Street and get them excited and involved. 

Step Four

Organise the date and time for your Play Street.

Councils need a lot of lead time, to notify groups like Emergency Services, so it is key to plan ahead.

You can find out from your neighbours a date that would suit most people to hold the Play Street. 

A quiet time of day is ideal—when the movement of traffic and people is minimal, like Sunday afternoon, compared to a busy Saturday morning, when there is lots of traffic as people are out and about with Saturday activities and sports. 

Step Five

Apply for a Play Street based on the previous steps.

You can now apply as you have gathered everything you need for your Play Street to take place.

Your council will require you to complete an Application Form and a Health and Safety Plan for Play Street. Don’t worry—this isn’t hard. We have a dedicated regional play lead who can help and answer your questions. ​​​​​​​

Step Six

Your Play Street is approved – double-check your responsibilities.

When your council lets you know your Play Street has been approved, it will also give you further guidance on the requirements that you need to put in place.

For example, you may need to put up signs at the entrance(s) to the Play Street, have marshals available to greet people and manage any vehicles, and have signals for clearly starting and ending the play session. It’s really important to follow these requirements.

As the Play Street organiser, make sure you understand what your responsibilities are. The council will let you know what these are, and they should be included in the application process. If you are unsure, please ask your council to clarify.​​​​​​​

Step Seven

Send invites to your neighbours and organise activities.

Once all your Play Street requirements are in place, it’s time to invite your neighbours and start planning activities.

Planning play activities can be as easy as seeing what play gear your neighbours can bring for everyone to use. Check out the Play Trailer available for both Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay residents. You can also reach out to sports clubs or Sport Hawke's Bay to see if they can support you with inclusive play gear or activities on the day and have a look at the toolkit for Play ideas.

Keep your activities as simple and sustainable as possible. 

You’re now ready to have your Play Street – enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all streets apply?


Can anyone organise a Play Street?


I live in Napier, can I organise a Play Street?


What are the benefits of Play Street?


What if residents are concerned about damage to cars or property?


What if there is an emergency at a resident’s house or they are having food delivered?


Why do children need to play in the street when there are parks nearby?


This is a major inconvenience for me as a car driver, why should I let it happen?


Will you still let visitors/deliveries through?


Are we teaching children that they can play
on the street anytime?


What is the point of difference between a Play Street and a pop-up play at the local park event?


Previous Play Streets