From 2 March 2026 Kindergarten Taranaki will join with Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens.

Kindergarten Taranaki has 24 kindergartens throughout Taranaki, from Pātea to Waitara.

The Taranaki Kindergartens are joining the more than 112 other Whānau Manaaki kindergartens based in the lower North Island and in South Otago, creating the largest not-for profit early childhood organisation in Aotearoa.

This follows a long process of consultation, meetings, and voting by families last year. While behind the scenes there will be administrative changes, what happens each day at kindergarten will not change.

The teachers, support staff and the families will stay the same, and the conditions for teachers and all other staff will continue to be covered by the same national collective agreements.

The outgoing chief executive of Kindergarten Taranaki Dawn Osman says the move will strengthen the kindergarten movement in Taranaki. “It provides an opportunity to join a strong organisation that will be better for tamariki in our region.”

The amalgamation process confirmed that there is strong alignment between the two associations that share the same core values.

Whānau Manaaki’s board chair Kath Cooper says it’s an exciting time for the kindergarten movement, and Whānau Manaaki is honoured that the Taranaki Association has chosen to join.

Kath says the merger supports the Whānau Manaaki to give a voice for children. “We can have a louder advocacy voice – we are stronger together.”

“This is what working collectively looks like – combining our strengths to ensure kindergartens thrive and remain resilient”.

He waka eke noa. We're all in this together.