Annual Report 2024 – 2025: Kindergartens Aotearoa (Free Kindergarten Association) Manatōpū

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi mahana kia koutou
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

I am pleased to present the Kindergartens Aotearoa Annual Report 2024 – 2025.

Our key focus this year has been advocacy to engage with our communities and to influence and shape government policy settings. The government coalition agreements foreshadowed significant policy shifts across the economy with far-reaching implications, and the introduction of legislative change and shift in policy has been unprecedented. ECE was the first sector to be reviewed by the Ministry of Regulation. The Minister of Regulations and Associate Minister of Education Hon David Seymour announced the review in April 2024 with feedback sought by August. In December, the Minister accepted the Ministry of Regulation’s report and 15 recommendations and within six months, change was underway. In 2025, a funding review was announced. The review outcomes and policy shifts are primarily designed to meet the needs of service owners and providers, unravelling decades of progress in support of high quality ECE.

“Children are the focus of the current ECE regulations and must remain central to any examination or assessment of regulations and statutory parameters and practice. Not to do so, places children’s wellbeing and learning at unacceptable risk. The best interests of children must be the priority for regulatory settings and take precedent over any other matter.” – Kindergarten Aotearoa

We have responded to government initiatives, expressing our collective view of proposed changes in the interests of tamariki, whānau and communities, and our kaiako and kaimahi, and high quality ECE services. In its long history, the kindergarten movement has adapted and changed to meet changing policies and community demands and will continue to do so. What has not changed is the kindergarten ethos and philosophy that underpins our national service and our mahi as Kindergartens Aotearoa is focused on ensuring our kaupapa remains strong

Leadership

KA board

The Kindergartens Aotearoa annual general meeting was held via zoom on 19 September 2024. Following the meeting, the board elected Daniel Wark (He Whānau Manaaki) chair, Paul Geden (Kaitiaki Kindergartens) deputy chair, Krissy Thompson (Inspired Kindergartens) treasurer and Tara Morrison (Kindergarten Taranaki) secretary joining board members Jocelyn Wright (Kidsfirst Kindergartens), Andy Pilbrow (Napier Kindergartens) and Martin Robinson (He Whānau Manaaki). We farewelled Lee Heremaia (Kindergarten Taranaki), (Viv Ruth (Kidsfirst Kindergartens) and Lisa Lightbourne (Inspired Kindergartens).

Tumuaki group

The tumuaki group comprises the chief executives/tumuaki of Kindergartens Aotearoa member associations. Current group members are Amanda Coulston (He Whānau Manaaki), Peter Monteith (Inspired Kindergartens), Sherryll Wilson (Kidsfirst Kindergartens), Dawn Osman (Kindergarten Taranaki), Tara Solomon (Kaitiaki Kindergartens) Gillian Crawford (He Whānau Manaaki), and Jade Holland (Napier Kindergartens). The group farewelled Napier general manager Helen McNaughten at the end of 2024.

Our mahi

Board and tumuaki group hui

The Kindergartens Aotearoa board met (online) six times during the year and hosted a joint hui with the tumuaki group in Wellington. The tumuaki group met 16 times, a mix of online and kanohi ki te kanohi. Growing and positioning kindergarten for the future and advocating high quality ECE as a public good have been the focus of our mahi. Members of the group represent Kindergartens Aotearoa in various forum including the Ministry of Education with Sherryll Wilson representing our associations on bargaining and property matters and Amanda Coulston as a member of the Ministry of Education Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC)

Forum

Kindergartens Aotearoa hosted three national forum, each building advocacy momentum to shape and influence public policy.

22 August 2024

The forum was attended by 30 association governance board and leadership team members. It focused on understanding government’s priorities for ECE and the impact on kindergartens.

Hon David Seymour, Minister for Regulations and Associate Minister of Education presented his vision for ECE; Economist Shamubeel Eaqub discussed the Economic context for kindergartens: issues and trends shaping the future; and David Wansbrough, Sector Reviews Lead, Ministry of Regulation presented an overview of the government’s regulatory review process and objectives.

13 February 2025

The forum - ECE as a public good – building a strong community based sector – was attended by 46 association governance board and leadership team members. The focus of the forum was on advocating ECE as a public good – promoting quality and identifying stakeholders and their interests in ECE.

Professor Jenny Ritchie, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington discussed ECE as a public good: building a strong community-based sector to deliver cultural and social justice; Retired Professor Linda Mitchell, University of Waikato / Te Whare Wananga o Waikato presented ECE as a public good. Forprofit ECE a thorn in the side; and Emeritus Professor Helen May talked about the positioning of the ECE Curriculum Te Whāriki.

Professor Alex Gunn, Te Kura Ākau Taitoka | University of Otago College of Education discussed New framings of the qualifications problem in ECE; Professor Carmen Dalli, Victoria University of Wellington / Te Herenga Waka talked about Infants and toddlers: state of the nation and critical policy issues; and Lealamanu’a Aiga Caroline Mareko, Community Services Senior Lead He Whānau Manaaki presented the Development of Pasifika ECE services in Aotearoa and the challenges ahead.

10 June 2025

He Hauora o ngā Tamariki I Children’s well-being: impact of government policy was the focus of this forum attended by 51 association governance board, leadership and management team members, Kindergartens Aotearoa Kaitiaki Council members, and representatives from Te Rito Maioha, Child Poverty Action Group, Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, and NZEI Te Riu Roa.

Keynote speaker Economist Dr Ganesh Rajaram Ahirao questioned ECE in Aotearoa – what can we afford? followed by a panel of speakers presenting their organisations’ perspectives on the 2025 government budget and policy impact: Bianca Elkington – GM Education and Employment, Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira; Ripeka Lessels - Te Manukura | President, NZEI Te Rui Roa; Kathy Wolfe – Chief Executive, Te Rito Maioha l Early Childhood New Zealand; and Professor Jenny Ritchie, Associate and Sarita Divis, Executive Officer - Child Poverty Action Group

The forum gained momentum over the year including welcoming Auckland, Central North Island, Gisborne and Dunedin kindergarten associations to the forum, engaging with wider audiences, and building alliances. Economists bought their experience and expertise to position ECE and education within a national and global context, and academic colleagues presented research evidence and engaged with participants to deepen and broaden understanding. The forums provide the opportunities to connect with like-minded organisations and to develop a way forward to ensure an enduring future for high quality ECE.

Kaitiaki Council

In 2025, we established the Kaitiaki Council as a champion of the kindergarten movement and ECE as a public good. Inaugural members of the council are Dr Jacoba Matapo, Associate Professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific, Auckland University of Technology I Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau and Professor Sandy Morrison, University of Waikato l Te Pua Wananga ki te Ao, and Professors Jenny Ritchie, Linda Mitchell, Helen May, Alex Gunn and Carmen Dalli. We are privileged to have esteemed academics, who hold such mana in their field and more broadly within education, work alongside us. The council have shared their unique insights, wisdom, expertise, experience and influence at our forum, and members have been actively engaged in activities to influence government policies.

Advocacy

Kindergartens Aotearoa continues to actively engage both politically and publicly to influence public opinion as well as decision-makers to ensure the best interests of tamariki are the paramount consideration across all policy and regulatory settings. In the past year we have prepared several submissions, appeared before the parliamentary select committee, engaged in correspondence and in forums with Ministers, and issued numerous media releases and appearing in national radio and television interviews.

Submissions and media releases

15 August 2024 ECE Regulatory Review – submission to the Ministry of Regulation
30 August 2024 Kindergartens dismayed by National’s plan to scrap 20 hours free for two year olds – media release
16 September 2024 Early Childhood Council submission a cynical attempt to drive down standards – media release
1 October 2024 Kindergartens Decry Government Moves to Cut Pay – media release in response to government agreement to drop pay parity for relief and fixed-term teachers
1 October 2024 Early childhood education – an investment in our future – opinion piece
13 December 2024 Kindergartens Aotearoa opposes lower standards for home-based services – media release
15 December 2024 Policy changes in ECE have cost the sector years of progress– opinion piece
18 December 2024 Regulatory Review Report Misses Mark on Quality and Safety – media release on outcome of the ECE regulatory review and recommendations
18 December 2024 Radio New Zealand - interview on response to ECE regulatory review
6 January 2025 Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill – submission to the Justice Select Committee
13 January 2025 Proposed Regulatory Standards Bill discussion document – submission to the Ministry of Regulation
28 March 2025 Taxation and the not-for-profit sector – submission to the Inland Revenue Department
23 April 2025 Kindergartens Aotearoa opposes government putting business interests before children in early childhood education – media release on Cabinet decisions to implement the regulatory review recommendations
30 April 2025 Kindergartens Aotearoa supports government move to pay teacher registration fees – media release
7 May 2025 Kindergartens call on Government to value women – media release in response to Government axing the pay equity legislation
14 May 2025 Kindergartens support Green policy on ECE – media release
22 May 2025 Kindergartens Welcome Learning Support Spending but Criticise Effective Cut in Base Funding - media release in response to government budget

Social media

In 2024, we partnered with experts ‘For Purpose’ to develop our social media approach to advocate for ECE, build relationships, respond to challenges, and support member associations. Four pou provide the framework for our social media mahi – advocacy, quality and impact, innovation and sustainability, and community/collaboration. We launched a new website https://kindergartensaotearoa.org.nz and we are active on Facebook and Linkedin with a growing following across the platforms as Kindergartens Aotearoa extends its reach.

Conclusion

I would like to thank the Kaitiaki Council, the board and tumuaki group for your leadership, vision and commitment to the kindergarten movement. I also extend thanks to all our associations’ boards and staff who contribute to our collective efforts.

We are strongly committed to the kindergarten movement and to our vision to grow kindergarten services in the interests of tamariki and whānau. We are intent on focusing our efforts and energies on strengthening the kindergarten movement and continuing to innovate and grow the unique service we are proud to represent. We want enduring community-based, not-for-profit, public ECE services to thrive in Aotearoa.

He waka eke noa, ngā mihi mahana kia koutou
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

Daniel Wark
Kindergartens Aotearoa Board Chair