Free computer gaming day on offer during school holidays
Published on 05 October 2022
As an example of ongoing community partnership and collaboration, Whanganui District Council, Hakeke Community Centre and Library and Whanganui East-based computer business Technoman are coming together for the third time this year to offer a community gaming day as part of the October school holidays.
Next Wednesday, 12 October 2022, from 10.00am until 2.00pm, tamariki, rangatahi and their parents or guardians can come along to the Hakeke Community Centre and Library at 65 Hakeke Street to try out a wide variety of gaming consoles.
The purpose of the day is to give children of all ages and their parents and guardians a safe and welcoming space to play or watch games together in a social setting.
Hakeke Community Centre and Library is providing the space and Technoman the connectivity with top-end gaming computers and popular gaming titles.
Cois Izatt from Technoman will bring his enthusiasm and love of gaming to the event, as well as share the opportunities gaming and IT can provide young people.
Whanganui District Council will round out the team with older gaming consoles donated by council staff, their friends and families that include a Wii, Xbox Kinect and Playstation 2.
The council’s connected community advisor, Jo Buckingham, is passionate about active gaming and loves sharing games that require gamers to use their body as well as their mind.
“Just Dance is a popular game on Playstation 4 where you have to dance along to popular songs to score points. The kids even get excited trying Wii for the first time despite it being from 2006!” Jo Buckingham says.
The event is all about getting everyone to try something new and providing free activities to the Whanganui East community.
Jo Buckingham says, “I really love seeing adults who would not usually game with their child get involved. It was really fun at an earlier event this year to watch a grandmother finally give the Xbox Kinect bowling a go and having fun with her grand-daughter – she even won a few rounds!”
For more information or to register your interest, check out Hakeke Community Centre and Library’s Facebook page here.
You can also contact Jo Buckingham on 06 349 3021 or email: digital@whanganui.govt.nz, or call Cois Izatt from Technoman on 06 343 8144.