Reefton Early Learning Centre

10/08/2026

A big thank you to Annette Harrison for the generous donation on behalf of her Aunt Fay Pankhurst who grew up in Reefton and was a big advocate for Early Childhood Education and women. Her Obituary was recently featured in the Press.
Many thanks Annette we will put the donation towards extending experiences for the children.

06/08/2026

RELC are Wanting childrens tea sets (porcelain, wood or tin) or 70ml(ish) espresso cups so we can grow the next generation of hospitality experts and polite customers
Please let jo know or drop off at 4 Victory st.

22/07/2026

Our friends at Weskoolhouse have shared these fantastic infografics on the science of hands on play.
We are pretty big on hands on play at Reefton Early Learning Centre for all these reasons and more.

Next time your watching your child play see if you can see the science in action.

22/07/2026

We know this affects alot of our whānau ...

Have your say on the cost of sport
Sport Tasman and Homebuilders want to better understand the costs and challenges people and families face when taking part in sport.
Whether you're a player, parent, or caregiver, they'd love to hear your experiences. Your feedback will help understand what’s happening across our communities and identify where there may be opportunities to work together to make participation easier.
The survey takes around 5 minutes and is anonymous. You can also go into a draw to win a $50 Prezzy Card.

21/07/2026

Kia ora Everyone

We are in the process of reviewing and renewing all our policies to align with the new ECE regulations. While we were updating we found a great one stop shop for West Coast based agencies.

There are support agencies for everything including personal development and addiction support through to Arts finance, business development ,education and employment

We are sure you or someone you know will find the information valuable.

If you know of any other agencies or network helping coasters not yet on here send them this link

Community Directory

09/07/2026

Overheard today from passers-by

"All they do is play all day."

Too right.

Science has been telling us for decades that HUMANS not just children are holistic beings. We don't learn with our brains alone, we learn through movement, relationships, emotion, curiosity, and experience. Neuroscience shows that physical activity strengthens attention, memory, executive function, and the neural pathways that support lifelong learning. Developmental research consistently finds that play builds language, self-regulation, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, and social competence.

PEOPLE especially children were never designed to spend their days sitting still. They were designed to move, explore, imagine, question, climb, build, negotiate, wonder, and connect.

If we want our children to think deeply, solve complex problems, care for others, and one day move mountains, we first have to let them out of their chairs.

Play isn't a reward after learning.

Play is how learning happens........ p.s playing is what keeps you young.

07/07/2026

02/07/2026

A wee prompt to head along to the Reefton Area School tonight for Matariki- this is a great way to get children familiar with school environments to support their transition to school

21/06/2026

Have Your Say on the Future of Our Parks and Reserves!

Reefton Early Learning Centre is pretty big on play and advocating for play spaces that meet the needs and extend the recreation opportunities for our children. This is one of those moments where our community has a genuine opportunity to influence the future of the places we love.

The Buller District Council's Parks and Reserves Management Plan will help shape how our parks, reserves, trails, recreation spaces, natural areas, and community assets are managed for years to come. If you've ever walked a track, watched children play in a reserve, enjoyed a picnic by the river, ridden a bike trail, attended a community event, or simply appreciated having green spaces available to everyone, this matters to you.

We are calling on community groups, volunteers, recreation users , whānau, and residents to come together and create a strong, constructive submission that reflects the aspirations of our community.

It's about contributing. It's about sharing ideas, identifying opportunities, ensuring play spaces are valued and local voices are heard in decisions that will impact future generations.

Together we can build a submission that celebrates what is working, identifies what could be improved, and advocates for a future that balances recreation and community spaces.

If you're interested in being part of the submission working group, please get in touch. The more voices, ideas, and experience around the table, the stronger our submission will be.

Our parks and reserves belong to all of us. Let's make sure their future reflects that. 🌿🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️🌳

10/06/2026

SPEAK UP FOR OUR PARKS ADVOCATE FOR BETTER PLAY SPACES FOR REEFTON CHILDREN!!! Submissions forms and art activity information available at Reefton Early Learning Centre
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🙂🙂🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃
How awesome would it be for our local and visiting families of young children if the CRAMPTON RD PARK was kitted out for inclusive adventure play with an under 5s area and their families including a flat safe cycle track a toilet block and a safe useable picnic area.
😀😀😀😀🙂😀🙂🙂😀🙂🙂🙂😀😀😀😀

From the council ...

Mōrena, whānau we have the opportunity to contribute to how our parks and reserves are untilised and managed we need to grab this opportunity with both hands and add submissions.
They are also asking for tamariki to contribute. As the key users we will be actively advocating in this space and we encourage all our whānau too as well. Here is a bit more information on meeting dates.

Buller District Council is consulting on its Draft Reserves Management Plan 2026 until Monday, 3 August 2026 and we would like to invite you, as key stakeholders, to contribute to this plan by submitting your feedback.

The Reserves Management Plan establishes the framework for managing and developing Council’s 28 recreational reserves.

The management plan guides the use, enjoyment, protection, maintenance, preservation and development of the reserves and their day-to-day management.

Stakeholder information sessions
We would like to invite you to our Draft Reserves Management Plan 2026 information events in Westport. We have two sessions specifically for stakeholders, where we will present the plan and answer your questions.
Morning: Thursday 2 July 2026, Westport Bridge Club, 12A Lyndhurst Street Westport 7825, 12am – 1pm
Evening: Thursday 2 July 2026, Westport Bridge Club, 12A Lyndhurst Street Westport 7825, 5:30 – 6:30pm

Public information sessions
We also have public information sessions, which you are welcome to attend
Reefton and surrounds, Reefton Cinema, Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tamariki art-based activity
We would love to hear from your tamariki what they love about the reserves and what they dream about. Therefore, we have created an art-based activity that can also be used for younger children (please see attached). We have these available in A3 for individual use and in A1 for group use.
These are intended for use in classrooms, as part of a holiday program, or for parents to take home. If your school, early learning centre, or organisation is interested in participating, we will provide these in A1 or A3 with pens.
This activity will also be available at the libraries in Westport and Reefton through the consultation period. We will collect these in the week of the 3 August 2026 from libraries, schools and ECEs.
We would love to support you in rolling out this activity in your school, ECE, library or holiday program. Just send us an email or give us a ring indicating that you are interested and let us know how many copies of A3 and/or A1 you need.
We will arrange for these to come to you and will use this opportunity to say hi.

Documents and submissions
We have published the Draft Reserve Management Plan 2026, Consultation Document, and supporting information on our community engagement hub, Let’s talk Buller.
You can also find paper copies of these documents at Council’s offices in Westport or Reefton, Buller District Libraries, the Ngakawau Community Centre and Karamea Information Centre.

Questions?
If you have a question, please contact our engagement team via [email protected] .
Please share this information and the invitation with your network.
Submissions are one of the most powerful ways communities in New Zealand can shape local government decision-making. Love your reserve? Have your say.
Regards
Mira Schwill | Engagement Planning

DDI 03 788 9683 | Mobile 027 403 6609

Buller District Council | Phone 0800 807 239 | www.bullerdc.govt.nz

PO Box 21 | Westport 7866

Buller District Council is the territorial authority for the northern West Coast. Our goal is to promote the well-being of our local communities.