Parents and whānau of Kindergarten Taranaki have voted to join Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten Association, making Whānau Manaaki the largest not-for-profit, community-focused early childhood provider in New Zealand.
Kindergarten Taranaki is set to officially join Whānau Manaaki on 2 March 2026.
“Our governing board, elected by the members, undertook a comprehensive twelve-month due diligence process that revealed how joining Whānau Manaaki would help build on the high-quality early childhood education already provided by Kindergarten Taranaki,” Kindergarten Taranaki general manager Dawn Osman said.
“We believe that through our shared values and the comprehensive support provided by Whānau Manaaki, kindergarten in Taranaki will go from strength to strength.”
Kindergarten Taranaki manages 24 kindergartens across the broader Taranaki region, serving approximately 1,200 children.
Martin Robinson, Chair of the Whānau Manaaki Board, extends a warm welcome to Kindergarten Taranaki.
“We are really honoured and excited to have Kindergarten Taranaki join us,” he said.
“Early childhood education is a public good, and community-based services such as kindergartens put people ahead of profit, ensuring that resources go into providing high-quality early childhood education for tamariki. We believe we’re better together and that with a larger organisation, more tamariki will have access to kindergarten as a result.”
“Research tells us that high-quality early childhood education is pivotal in giving children a great start on their learning journey, and we are determined to ensure that happens.”