Goals and Mission

Mission/Purpose Statement
Giving our children an excellent start for life long learning

Strategic goals

1. Deliver high quality learning
2. Build and maintain relationships partnerships
3. Ensure financial stability in growth
4. Develop environment awareness.

Northland Kindergarten Association's committment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Rationale:
The Northland Kindergarten Association acknowledges Maori as tangata whenua, (the people of the land), and will pro-actively consult and collaborate with Maori in order to bring a balance to the organisation. It is an obligation of the Northland Kindergarten Association under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to fulfil its aspirations of the Maori people for its future generations by recognizing that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the founding document of Aotearoa. That this document will underpin the practices of the Te Kura Kohungahunga Topu o Te Taitokerau – Northland Kindergarten Association and that all principals of the treaty are interwoven throughout the framework of this organisation. Te Kura Kohungahunga Topu o Tai Tokerau – Northland Kindergarten Association under the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi will recommend the following:

Kotahitanga – Partnership
Partnership within Te Kura Kohungahunga Topu o Te Taitokerau – Northland Kindergarten Association involves the right of Maori to have authority over Maori issues with a share of resources to be effective allowing Maori to work within existing structures as equals. It also means to have a shared control over general issues with an allocation of resources to progress these.

There are increased financial and budget forecasts that are included and incorporated that provide for resources that support Maori practices and future developments.

Kaitiakitanga – Protection
Every child in Aotearoa/NZ has the right to know and enjoy the dual cultural heritage of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi partners along with his/her own cultural heritage.

Te reo Maori is a cornerstone to Maori identity and a key Maori development area now and in the future and is recognised as a taonga
enjoying the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Each year Te Kura Kohungahunga Topu o Te Taitokerau will reflect and evaluate how this organisation implements Te Tiriti o Waitangi
throughout its framework and practices, procedures and policies.

Rangatiratanga – Participation
The Board of Governance adopts a bi-cultural structure that will build a shared vision of what the Treaty of Waitangi in operation looks like, so that it becomes a living document within the Northland Kindergarten Association strategic planning, policies and procedures.

That Te Tiriti o Waitangi training is included in the strategic plan on a yearly basis for all board members, staffing and teachers to ensure membership develop an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and how this is implied and implemented at all levels of operations and management.

That an education and consultation strategy be developed by Te Roopu Puwawai, Kaumatua and Kuia, Whanau Awhi to provide clear communication to members of the board, staffing, teachers concerning the role of the Treaty of Waitangi within their roles of practice.

Quality professional development programmes are available that recognise Te Ao Maori perspectives and support the revitalization of Te Reo and tikanga Maori. There are on-going staff development opportunities to increase both te reo Maori and tikanga competency areas.

Kaimahi and kaiako Maori are granted paid leave once a term to develop support mechanisms that increase Whanaungatanga and akoranga Maori within their own practices.

There are published policies that are of a bi-cultural perspective that support procedures pertaining to the recruitment, employment, development and promotion of staff.

There are published policies and procedures that are of a bi-cultural perspective that support the health and safety provision for our staff.

This policy is a working draft document in progress that was accepted by the Roopu Puawai on the 7th September 2007.

Review again on 7th September 2008

I etahi wa
Me mau ke
Ki to Toihuarewa
Kia maiangi ake
I ngā pororaru o te wa
Ka raparapa ke te uira
Tohu ara hou

Translation: There are times when we must grasp the opportunity, take the risk and create our own history. Mauri ora na te Roopu Puawai