Welcome/Kia ora

Welcome to the Hospital Play Specialists Association of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The Association was established in 1996. Its aims are to:

• Promote the profession of hospital play specialist
• Provide professional support for hospital play specialists throughout New Zealand
• Set and monitor standards
• Encourage research and publication
• Develop training programmes for hospital play specialists
• Disseminate information on the psychosocial needs of children and young people in healthcare settings
• Promote the employment of appropriately trained staff to be responsible for play and recreation programmes
• Liaise and cooperate with organisations which have common objectives.

Membership of the Association enables the organisation to continue its valuable work in promoting play in hospitals, advocating for healthcare environments which support children's and young people's wellbeing, and supporting the role of hospital play specialists.