Three tamariki spaces to inspire play at Nōku te Ao Capital E

Scott Parker is currently busy designing our new play space in Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui. An experienced designer and builder for museums and galleries across Aotearoa and Australia, join us in looking at three play spaces for tamariki Scott has designed recently.

Te Tumu in Te Puawānanga
Motat, 2024

Te Tumu, a play space at MOTAT designed especially for tamariki under five, encourages hands-on exploration, climbing, crawling and discovery.

Image Courtesy of MOTAT 

Inspired by the natural world and the neighbouring Te Wai Ōrea Western Springs, whānau can ride the waka, count the many tuna, harvest, sort and transport baskets of kumara, learn about flax harvesting through the weaving wall, climb Tane Māhuta and slide back down the great tree to search for hidden creatures.

Te Puawānanga: Image Courtesy of MOTAT 

Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh & Children
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2025

Artland is a living, ever-evolving artwork that celebrates the beauty of impermanence, reminding visitors that art is something we build together.

Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and children 2016-ongoing, installation views at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2025, © Do Ho Suh

Created in collaboration with artist Do Ho Suh, the installation is shaped by the imagination of tamariki who visit. Every visitor contributes to the growing form, adding their own clay creations.

Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and children 2016-ongoing, installation views at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2025, © Do Ho Suh

Ngā Pakiaka: Like the Roots of a Tree
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2023

Ngā Pakiaka: Like the Roots of a Tree was an interactive exhibition that wove together sustainability and te reo Māori to celebrate our connections to the natural world.

Ngā Pakiaka: Image Courtesy of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Through tactile, imaginative play, visitors were invited to explore the relationships between people, whenua, and all living things, and think of themselves as proud kaitiaki of our planet.

Ngā Pakiaka: Image Courtesy of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

We’re Moving

In March 2026, Nōku te Ao Capital E is moving to Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library. In Te Matapihi we will have a brand new play space for under 5s, and two learning spaces for school groups, Te Rūma Pāpāho OnTV and Te Taiwhanga Arapāho MediaLab.

Learn more about our upcoming move here.

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