Member Spotlight: Ann Langis
Your role... Director of Conscious Kids; a nature-based play programme provider for tamariki across Auckland and Hamiltion.
What you love most about the sector... We're super excited to see nature programmes defending children's right to free play! Giving them time and space to explore their local environment with a mixed-aged group of tamariki, challenging themselves, taking risks, and coming home exhausted and muddy.
Why you joined Recreation Aotearoa... A few years ago we were asked to speak at the Recreation Conference and were impressed by the quality of the event. We felt really well supported, the event organisation was top-notch, speakers were engaging, and the overall energy was just super positive! That's when we decided to join.
Favourite part about being a member... At the moment we are loving the webinar series! Great to see the team adapt quickly to the 'new normal' and find ways to continue the conversation around play.
One thing you've learned in the last month... We love exposing kids to the art of foraging, seeing them drinking kawakawa tea or munching on 'neptune's necklace' seaweed, and we recently learned that some other NZ seaweed species can be toasted into yummy 'chips' so we'll be tossing some Bladder Kelp on the campfire at the next opportunity!
Your hopes for the industry... A continued conversation around the importance of child-directed play, and a commitment to including children themselves in the discussion and decision-making that effects their access to play.