Tauranga children have been given a reason to smile when they visit community organisations throughout the Bay of Plenty, following the donation of three children's playhouses.

NZ Certified Builders' Tauranga Districts has recently donated playhouses to Tauranga Hospital's Child and Youth Outpatients Clinic, alongside early childhood centres and primary schools.

The playhouses have been built by local Bay of Plenty apprentices as part of NZCB's recent Apprentice Challenge competition.

NZCB Tauranga Districts President Paul James says it's their way of giving back.

'NZCB Tauranga Districts is proud to be an active member of the community, not only through the many building jobs our members carry out for families and businesses throughout the region, but also through community events and charity initiatives we are involved with.

'We decided to donate a playhouse to Tauranga Hospital's Child and Youth Outpatients Clinic as our members see first-hand the impact the Clinic has on supporting local children and their families through serious health difficulties, from premature babies to cancer treatment to neurological disorders.

'Some of us have visited the Clinic in the past with our own children, so we were particularly pleased to show our appreciation for the great service it provides and hope the Clinic's young patients enjoy the fun and relaxing addition.”

Child and Youth Outpatients Clinic Registered Nurse Julie Christophersen says they are grateful for the donation.

'We are thrilled with the generosity of the NZCB team. Many children at the Clinic have multiple appointments and can be very anxious when they arrive, so we can only imagine the delight the playhouse will bring them.”

NZCB Tauranga Districts also donated playhouses to Māori early childcare education providers Te Kohanga Reo o Opopoti in Tauranga and Sunset Primary School in Rotorua, where NZCB's annual conference was held in May.

The Tauranga NZCB Apprentice Challenge competition took place in April, where talented local apprentices were given a building plan, materials and eight hours to each construct a playhouse.

A total of 96 playhouses were built at regional events throughout the country, and NZCB has been donating all the finished products to community groups across New Zealand.