1983
The First Te Kōhanga Reo in the Manawatū!
Our journey to reinvigorate te reo Māori and tikanga Māori began on the 5th of February 1983, when we first opened our doors and hearts to mokopuna. As the first Te Kōhanga Reo in the Manawatū - and one of just nine across the motu at the time - we are honoured to carry this legacy forward today.
Our name, Te Āwhina Kōhanga Reo, speaks to our roots, our Iwi and our collective commitment to this cherished kaupapa.
1995
We celebrated the opening of our current whare.
From the very beginning, hapori, our community, has been at the heart and core of Te Āwhina Kōhanga Reo. The hapori mō te Papaioea rallied together to celebrate the opening of our current whare in 1995, ensuring our whānau-led spirit remained strong.
Local whānau have stood beside us, supported us, welcomed and helped us establish what we know as Te Āwhina Kohanga Reo today.
Local whānau have stood beside us, supported us, welcomed and helped us establish what we know as Te Āwhina Kohanga Reo today.
Today
We proudly stand as a fully-licensed and chartered kōhanga.
We are supported by our whanau and our kaiako, including two tāne who strengthen our diverse team. Together, we cultivate a safe, supportive, and caring environment, where every mokopuna is valued, empowered, and uplifted.
Te Kōhanga Reo
Te Kōhanga Reo means 'the language nest', where mokopuna are totally immersed in the Māori language, tikanga, and values every day.
Te Kōhanga Reo is part of a much bigger movement to revitalise and strengthen te reo and tikanga Māori across Aotearoa.
Since 1982, when the first Te Kōhanga Reo opened, over 300 kura now nurture mokopuna in their Māori world, restoring identity, language, and belonging. We are incredibly proud to have been among the first, and to be a strong part of this growth.
Everyday, we embrace this kaupapa professionally, personally, as whānau, as champions, and as Māori. Your mokopuna will receive a rich, meaningful, loving education, where your whānau will actively join in their learning and the operation of our journey.
Te Kōhanga Reo Trust Since 1982, when the first Te Kōhanga Reo opened, over 300 kura now nurture mokopuna in their Māori world, restoring identity, language, and belonging. We are incredibly proud to have been among the first, and to be a strong part of this growth.
Everyday, we embrace this kaupapa professionally, personally, as whānau, as champions, and as Māori. Your mokopuna will receive a rich, meaningful, loving education, where your whānau will actively join in their learning and the operation of our journey.
frequently asked questions
Ngā kōrero āwhina mō ngā whānau
Helpful Info for Families
- What does your tamaiti/tamariki need to bring each day?Please pack:
A change of clothes
A jumper or jacket
A sunhat (weather-dependent) - How do we keep in touch with whānau?We use three main methods of communication:
Our private Facebook page
Our whānau group chat
Our website - What is the kaiako to tamaiti ratio?This depends on the age of the child:
Under 2 years: 1:4
Over 2 years: 1:6 - What are our fees and are there any subsidies available?Our current weekly fees are $60.00 for both full-time and part-time tamariki.
There are subsidies available depending on eligibility. - Do we offer 20 free hours?Yes, we do.
- Do we provide kai?Yes— kai is provided Tuesday to Friday.
For Monday, please send a lunchbox with lunches and snacks.
If your tamaiti is bottle-feeding, please provide your own formula. We recommend leaving a tin at the whare. - Do we provide nappies and wipes?No, these need to be provided by whānau.
- How do we manage allergies, medication, and first aid in the whare?We have a clear allergy policy in place, and all kaimahi are first-aid trained annually to ensure we can safely manage minor medical emergencies.
- Do you have a School Readiness Programme?Yes, we do.
- Can I visit the kōhanga before enrolling my child?Absolutely! Contact our kaiako matua and they’ll organise a visit for you.
- How can I enrol my tamaiti?We operate a waitlist, similar to most ECE services.
You’re welcome to send us a message or visit our “Contact Us” page. - Is Te Āwhina open to all families, regardless of reo Māori fluency?Āe! Te Āwhina Kōhanga Reo and the Kōhanga Reo Trust are here to revitalise our reo. Whether you’re well on your te reo journey or just beginning, everyone is welcome.
- What support is available for new whānau learning te reo Māori?We encourage exploring online or distance learning options (many are free), and our whānau and kaiako are always happy to share tips and help you get started—just ask!
Yes, Te Āwhina Kōhanga Reo and The Kōhanga Reo Trust is about revitalising our reo. Regardless of whether you’ve already started your Te reo journey or this is the first stepping stone, everyone is welcome!
