Centre support is a vital role.  We provide opportunities to share knowledge between centres along with systems and admin strategies.  We organise association wide professional development, assist with training, support centres through external reviews, encourage emergent leadership within centres and foster active relationships with all members of our association.  We support centres to be part of a collective learning community providing high quality learning opportunities which empower their whanau and tamariki.  Centre support celebrates parents as first teachers.  We acknowledge and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa and believe in making our commitment to biculturalism visible.

We have four Centre Supporters, who each look after a region, and a Convenor:

Mel Beirne - Association Centre Support Convenor

Mel is responsible for all 21 centres within our association and is co-ordinating the Centre Supporters. Mel can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mel says, "I am originally from Brooklyn Playcentre where my whanau spent many years learning before graduating to school.  My children were at Brooklyn Playcentre for 4 years and I stayed for another year at centre level and at Association and then never quite left 7 years later. I have held a few officer holder roles before becoming Centre Support Convenor… Pets, Curator, Education, Course one tutor, Paid team member and Centre supporter.  I also led workshops at centre level to support my centre through Assessment for Learning and have since supported our association regions through this same process."

"I have continued to volunteer at an association level purely because as an organisation I value what Playcentre stands for.  Its strong cooperative spirit embraced my whanau and gave my children the opportunity to be part of a community that empowers reciprocal relationships and allowed them to go on to school, confident capable learners."

"I am also a primary school teacher, keen gardener involved in community gardens/orchards and a taxi driver to my children."

Helen Smith - South Region

Centres: Hataitai, Houghton Valley, Miramar, Newtown, Brooklyn and Island Bay.

 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Helen was originally at Miramar Playcentre for 4.5 years with her daughter until she went to school in 2010. Helen says, "My involvement at a centre level has been varied, roles including Course 1 Tutor, Secretary & Special Needs Officer. I was also actively involved with a centre wide review of its approach to positive guidance & have developed, implemented and reviewed individual action plans.  As a full-time Playcentre mother I believe that both my daughter and I learnt so many valuable things (together and with others) during our time at Miramar. This time has equipped us both for the next leg of our journey, hers at school and me as Centre Supporter."

"Prior to moving to New Zealand, I was based in London and worked as a company manager for a group of artists called Blast Theory who toured their work around the world. During that time I also mentored emerging artists and facilitated workshops and seminars for the contemporary theatre and live art sector. Since arriving in Wellington I have worked with Barnardo's as an in-home educator, volunteer at Parent Help and I'm Co-Director of Breathing Space, an organisation that provides workshops and coaching for parents."

Vanessa Greig - Coast Region

Centres: Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.

Contact details: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Vanessa's home centre is Ngaio, which she attended from 1989-1993 with her 5 children. During this time Vanessa took on many roles including treasurer, secretary, president, vice president, roster co-ordinator, special needs, information and enrolments, welfare. She then worked at Ngaio Playcentre after her children had all gone to school as a paid Team Member in 2006.

Vanessa says, "Playcentre was an integral part of the life of my whanau. Playcentre provided me with the support I needed and in turn I was able to give back to the community the support I had received. This was a treasured time of personal development, great learning and lasting friendships."

"Aside from my family, community and work I am long term member of Wellington Batucada - a Brazilian Samba band, a keen gardener, an ex-chef and dressmaker."

Kirstin Eaddy - North Region

Centres:  Johnsonville, Newlands Tamariki, Tawa Linden, Paremata, Titahi Bay, Te Kapua Anga reo

Kirstin is originally from Newlands Tamariki playcentre, where her son spent 3 happy  years before going to school. After he left , Kirstin stayed on as a paid team member , special needs support worker and as a Space facilitator. During her time at Newlands Tamariki she was the Health and Safety officer, Rolls and Rosters secretary and President.

Kirstin says, "I loved the sense of community that I found at playcentre, it felt like coming home. The education and support allowed me to grow as a mother and as a person , benefiting  all of my 4 children, even the ones that were already at school when I discovered playcentre."

"When I am not thinking or talking about playcentre, I like gardening, cooking and yoga."

 Kirstin can be contacted on  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wilhelmina Wooff - West Region

Centres: Makara, Karori, Kelburn, Wilton and Ngaio.

"My home centre is Karori and I was there for 5 years.  While at Karori I took on different roles.  First I tentatively took the Education Officer role and found that yes I could do it!  Emergent leadership at its best. Thereafter I was the Bi-cultural officer, Co-President, Housekeeper and was on the WPA Education Team as Tutor Support, Course One and Two Tutor and Communication workshop tutor.  There are many aspects of Playcentre that are special for me and my whānau and the first things that come to hand; is a first rate education, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to meet committed inspirational people who have heart.  Before Playcentre I was the Deputy Principal at Epuni School.  I love to run, read and Zumba…… not all at the same time of course."  

“The way to learn is by leading.  The way to lead is by learning” – Anonymous