Today, we celebrate. Not just the years, but the people, the values, the vision.
On a warm November day in 1985, a small group of tamariki stepped through the doors of a brand-new kindergarten in Kerikeri. Guided by Head Teacher Heather Townsend and teacher Trish Rope, they were the first to experience what would become a beloved cornerstone of the community. From just eight children, Kerikeri Kindergarten blossomed into a vibrant learning space – and today, it celebrates a remarkable 40 years of nurturing, discovery, and connection.
Over the decades, Kerikeri Kindergarten has grown into a place where muddy boots in the ngahere, rivers in the sandpit, and baking healthy kai are all part of the daily rhythm. Tamariki have always been at the heart of it… curious explorers, joyful creators, and kind friends. Their laughter and wonder have shaped the spirit of the kindergarten.
The community has stood strong behind this kaupapa, supporting through lamington drives, quiz nights, art exhibitions, and the well-known telephone directory fundraiser. Together, they’ve built more than just a kindergarten, they’ve built a whānau.
Kerikeri Kindergarten has led the way in early childhood education. It was the first in Aotearoa to build a traditional Māori playground, a māra hūpara. Its Ngahere programme was a finalist in the NZ Biosecurity Awards and earned national recognition. From backyard trapping to carbon neutrality, the kindergarten has shown a deep understanding of kaitiakitanga, nurturing a strong sense of responsibility and care for the environment while they authentically weave sustainability into everyday learning throughout their journey as an Early Childhood Enviroschool.
The accolades are many - the Tall Poppy Business Award, the Education in Action Award, and scholarships that have taken kaiako to Bali, Italy, and Australia to deepen their learning. The carved waka and rūrū, both created by a past ākonga, with the rūrū gifted the name Hākirukoa, are treasured taonga rich with meaning. They embody navigation, wisdom, and protection, honouring the kaupapa of the kindergarten and forming a living connection between past and present learners.
One of the most treasured additions to the kindergarten to mark this special day, is the pepeha painting, designed by Kiri and painted by her talented friend Rose. This artwork holds a prominent space in the kindergarten, a visual taonga that honours the land the kindergarten stands on, the stories and whakapapa that have shaped it, and the whānau and communities who sustain it - a taonga that will inspire generations to come. A huge mihi to Kiri and Rose for gifting this legacy.
But beyond the awards and achievements, it’s the people who make Kerikeri Kindergarten special. The kaiako, the parent volunteers, the whānau, and the tamariki - all have woven their stories into the fabric of this place. Lifelong friendships have been formed, and the spirit of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga continues to thrive.
As the kindergarten celebrates 40 years, it also honours those who are no longer with us, whose legacy lives on in every corner of the playground and every song sung at mat time.
Today, as waiata fill the air and stories were shared, the kindergarten looks to the future with the same values that have carried it this far: connection, care, and a deep love for learning.
Here’s to the next 40 years of muddy boots, laughter, and aroha.
