The Margaret Mahy Playground opened just before Christmas as a large family play area. The open spaces include many different types of playground equipment including a four metre wide slide, double flying fox, water cannons, splash pad, sand play, dunes, climbing web, and a story arc. Many of these are the most fun when parents join in – especially because the different play areas are tempting and it’s easy for kids to get out of sight. Food caravans offer healthy choices, and children who need to change after playing with water can use the fully automated toilets. Mobeen came to play with his cousins and his mom in the Wetlands area. He is first generation kiwi his family being from Afghanistan. Mobeen quickly makes friends with all children splashing in the mud and they pump the water for the others to play in the sand. While watching him play I talk to his mother. “I decided to come and see this playground because I was told it was a nice place. I also have a four-months-old so I am home with the kids. We came to New Zealand in 2007 because it’s safer here. I have no problems raising them here, some things you have to watch but usually it’s OK. I am not allowed to have photos of myself but you can take pictures of Mobeen.”