This week, go-to parenting app Roam with Kids has launched a petition for shade considerations to be mandatory for all new playgrounds, as schools empty out for the summer holidays.

The petition, which reached over 1600 signatures in the first two days, is calling for councils to include shade plans for all new and upgraded playgrounds and comes as of 78% of parents surveyed on instagram said they avoid playgrounds in summer because of UV concerns.

Renata Wiles, founder of Roam with Kids, says it's irresponsible to continue to build and upgrade playgrounds without shade in mind.

"It's relatively well known now that childhood sun exposure has a huge impact on someone's risk of developing skin cancer as an adult, and we’ve seen kids need medical attention for burns from hot equipment," Wiles says.

“As schools are breaking for the holidays and the temperatures have been skyrocketing, keeping kids cool, safe and entertained during the summer is front of mind for parents across New Zealand.

“Unfortunately right now, the majority of playground equipment will be unsafe or too hot to use for most of the holidays.

"Our petition is calling for it to be mandatory for councils to take shade into consideration and provide playgrounds that are safer from the sun. Not only will it keep our kids out of the sun, it means they can be utilised all day, all year round, not just in the cooler months when UV exposure is lower."

Currently there's no requirement for councils to include shade coverings on playgrounds.

A common excuse for forgoing shade on new spaces is budget constraints, but Wiles says that doesn’t fly with parents who put the importance of sun protection above having fun at a particular place.

"Parents do their best to keep kids safe, and 89% of our following polled on instagram said they would forgo a piece of playground equipment for adequate shade,” she says.

"It's a shame because there are some amazing new and upgraded playgrounds out there calling to be played on over the summer holidays, but there's no mature trees, and no shade sails so they are completely exposed."

"New Zealand summers are hot, and UV levels are high. So much thought goes into safety considerations for appropriate playground equipment, but the same care isn't taken to keep kiwi kids safer from the sun,"

“Currently, parents can find their nearest playgrounds and family-friendly places with extensive descriptions covering shade and facilities in the Roam with Kids app. But it would be great, if in the future, parents could head out to their nearest playground at any time of the year with no worries about the summer sun.”

The petition is open until 31 January 2026 on the Parliament website.

Petition link

https://petitions.parliament.nz/6f47c6b6-c8d8-4377-509c-08de2586692e?lang=en

About Roam with Kids

Roam with Kids is a parenting app with an interactive map of child friendly places, including playgrounds, activities, and eateries geared toward kids.

It was founded in April 2024 by Renata Wiles, and reaches a community of 65,000 kiwi parents through app downloads and social media.

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