Keeping School Grounds Open After-Hours: Lessons from Schools in Tāmaki Makaurau

SHORE & Whariki researchers Dr Simon Opit and Dr Linda Madden have examined the approaches schools take to maintaining after-hours community access to school grounds. Open school grounds are increasingly uncommon in Tāmaki Makaurau, particularly in lower-socioeconomic areas, where the majority of schools now restrict after-hours access. Drawing on interviews with school principals and Board of Trustees representatives, the research highlights the value of open school grounds as safe, familiar spaces that support physical activity, foster pride and informal care for school environments, and strengthen a sense of belonging for tamariki and whānau. Schools also shared practical, low-cost strategies for managing access and risk, including staged or partial openings, targeted gate and carpark management, partnerships for supervised use, and clear communication. The report concludes that keeping school grounds open works best when approached gradually rather than as an all-or-nothing decision.

Read the full report and view the two-page infographic here:

https://shoreandwhariki.ac.nz/school-grounds-report

This research received funding from the Massey University Research Fund.