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Bupa partners with Auckland Council to celebrate healthy cities and play

Date: 30 Sep 2025

Bupa New Zealand is proud to support Auckland Council’s first Celebrating Play month this October, as part of Bupa’s global Healthy Cities Move Month.

Healthy Cities Move Month will see Bupa people walking, running, and exercising in an effort to count step totals to generate funding to plant trees and restore nature. Partnering with New Zealand’s largest city reflects Bupa’s commitment to helping people live longer, happier, healthier lives.

Pedro Sanchez, Managing Director Bupa NZ, says the collaboration captures the power of movement and connection.

“Play doesn’t stop with age. At Bupa, we see every day the energy and fun our residents bring to activity. It’s wonderful we can join with Auckland Council to inspire kids, families, and older people alike to stay active, enjoy our urban environments, and strengthen inter-generational connections,” he says.

Celebrating Play month extends Sport NZ’s Play Week into a full month of events across Tāmaki Makaurau. From nostalgic games to creative family festivals, Aucklanders of all ages will rediscover the joy of play at activations around the city.

As part of the Celebrating Play programme and in partnership with Bupa NZ, an Auckland Conversations event on 21 October at Aotea Centre will be dedicated to ‘the serious business of having fun’. Leading experts will explore the importance of play and highlight Auckland Council’s dedication to supporting fun for all Aucklanders.

Councillor Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor, says:

“We want to see Aucklanders happy and enjoying their day-to-day lives in our vibrant city, so having these opportunities to play and discuss what we’re doing throughout Tāmaki Makaurau is a real treat. We hope to see Aucklanders of all ages having fun and celebrating play,” she says.

Bupa’s involvement means play will not only be celebrated not only in parks and public spaces, but also in its care homes and retirement villages.

Pedro Sanchez says, “Having our residents take part alongside younger generations will prove that joy, laughter, and movement are lifelong.”

Life at Bupa