An Auckland mother has kickstarted an online campaign to get shaded playgrounds, after worries children are being overly exposed to the sun.
"One of the reasons I hate going to playgrounds is purely because of the lack of shade," said Maria Foy. Photo: 123RF
Maria Foy, who runs the blogsite Happy Mum Happy Child, started the petition calling on the Auckland Council to provide shade on all its playgrounds.
Ms Foy said a lot of parents refused to take their children to playgrounds fearing they may get burnt, suffer heat stroke, or have to play on scorching equipment.
"Some people say don't take your kids outside during the heat of the day, you know put a hat on them, and that's all very well but it's just not possible to let children live their lives and play if they're inside all the time."
Ms Foy said she received an overwhelming response to a blog post she wrote on the topic, and the petition currently had more than 1500 signatures.