Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens has had a proud history of providing high quality early childhood education to generations of children in the wider Wellington region. We continue to do this through our culture of continuous improvement and this is largely achieved through professional support, research, and innovation. This section highlights some of the innovative projects and practices our services are involved in – all in our constant drive to provide the best possible education and care for the babies, toddlers, and young children who attend our services.

Arohanui Kindergarten

Arohanui Kindergarten opened in 2014 as part of He Whare Manaaki Tāngata – the   teen parent unit based at Levin’s Waiopehu College.

Planning for the kindergarten considered the learning needs of both the children and the teenaged parents with a central hub where everyone can gather together. While continuing with secondary education is a priority for the parents, their parenting role is equally valuable.  

Being part of He Whare Manaaki Tāngata fits well with the Whanau Manāaki Kindergartens’ approach of providing a variety of ways for young children to experience high quality education.

 “We know that a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work for all families” says Whānau Manaaki chief executive Amanda Coulston.

“We have a home-based service, playgroups, full day kindergartens, infant to school age kindergartens and several that have a multi-lingual approach” says Amanda.

Arohanui is one of six kindergartens in Levin. All have features which support their specific communities, for example Taitoko, Te Timatanga Hou, and Fanau Pasifika Kindergartens offer places for infants through to school-age children to learn together.  Te Timatanga Hou is open for longer hours to suit working parents, and Fanau Pasifika has a Pacific language and culture focus. Betty Montford and Parsons Ave Kindergartens are adjacent to schools and offer school hours to school to suit parents with children in both settings.

Katoa Kindergarten

Katoa Kindergarten is next to Takapuwahia Marae in Elsdon, Porirua. It serves a predominantly Māori community, drawing significantly from whānau affiliated to Ngāti Toa, the recognised Tangata Whenua of the area.

The kindergarten has a kitchen and whānau area to encourage whānau to spend time at kindergarten and get involved. The kindergarten also runs playgroups and parent workshops for the Elsdon/Takapuwahia community.

Many activities offered draw from Te Ao Māori –kapa haka, natural remedies and medicines, and te reo Māori. There are regular visits to Takapuwahia Marae, with teachers having family links which strengthen relationships.

Environmental Focus

Raumati South Kindergarten and Waikanae Kindergartenhave been working with the Enviroschools not-for-profit trust to help children plan, design and implement sustainable projects. The children are also becoming catalysts for change in their families and the wider community.

Each year Enviroschools releases a snapshot of all the centres and schools involved to showcase their projects.

For more information about Enviroschools visit the website

Tai Tamariki Kindergarten

Toru Fetū Kindergarten

Toru Fetū won a Prime Ministers' award for educational excellence in 2018 because of its strong community links.

The kindergarten came about because of the vision of the Tuvalu, Niue and Cook Island communities in Porirua. Wellington Kindergartens (now Whānau Manaaki kindergartens) supported the community vision after three playgroups wanted to extend what they offered to families, while keeping their language and culture alive.

Niue Aoga Tama Ikiiki, Cook Islands Te Punanga Reo Kuki Airani Porirua and Tuvale Akoga playgroups were all operating in Porirua East.

The Ministry of Education provided some of the funds for the building, and the kindergarten opened in 2010, with separate classrooms for each of the cultures, and a shared playground.  There’s also a large communal kitchen with free healthy lunches provided for all children attending Toru Fetu.

It offers a space for the whole community to get together for celebrations, cultural events, family events, seminars, displays or other activities.  This helps families stay involved in their children’s education.

The idea of Toru Fetu was to increase the participation of Pasifika children in high quality early childhood education. This has been achieved with the close relationships with teachers and the families.

Toru Fetu space is also used for playgroups and for professional development.

Whānau Ora

More than 260 Pasifika families are achieving goals relating to health, finances, education, leadership and cultural knowledge thanks to Whānau Manaaki's work.

As part of a Whānau Ora programme funded through Pasifika Futures, Whānau Manaaki kindergartens has been working with families to help decide on their priorities for a successful future. 

Whānau Manaaki manager Danny Mareko says "it's long term work, and the ideas come from the families themselves. They can see the progress that is happening."

YMen Project 

“The YMen Project” is an initiative developed by Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens in conjunction with the Ministry for Social Development, and with the support of the Todd Foundation. The project was first developed in 2008 to address the chronic shortages of men working in early childhood education and high rates of unemployment among men under the age of 25 years.However the programme is less about getting people off benefits and more about empowering young men and giving them the confidence to realise their potential.

The YMen project proved highly successful, but sadly ongoing funding has not been available. However, YMen have increased the profile of men in early childhood education, and young men continue to train as teachers, inspired by the YMen example.

Below is a Video from Close Up

- a programme on TV1 from 2 August 2012, talking about this project.