top of page

Kaupapa

Mission Statement

Totally acknowledging our next generation’s abilities.

Vision

To provide a safe and trusting environment, where through education, opportunities and pathways, all our Rangatahi and Tamariki believe in themselves and reach their full potential.

Objectives

  1. To encourage the development of potential, either individually and/or collectively by placing the Rangatahi and Tamariki as the core of the whanau of what we do
     

  2. Place Rangatahi and Tamariki at the core of what we do by encouraging their development and potential as individuals and/or a collective

Our Whakapapa

Taonga Education Centre Charitable Trust was formally registered in 2004, becoming a catalyst for developing services that address the needs of teenage mothers and their tamariki. These services operate under the Trust’s holistic plan, incorporating early childcare, social, cultural, health, and education initiatives. The name Taonga/Treasure – Totally Acknowledging Our Next Generation’s Abilities reflects the belief that both mothers and their babies are taonga (treasures) to the world.
 

The programme, launched in 2002, has grown into a highly successful initiative. TAONGA now operates six Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres:
 

  • Potiki Early Childhood Centre (2006) – on Ministry of Education (MoE) land near Waimahia Intermediate, in collaboration with James Cook High School and Te Homonga o Tamariki Me Hoturoa.

  • Kākano Early Childhood Centre (2007) – on MoE land next to Te Mātauranga Primary School.

  • Homai Ngā Taonga Early Childhood Centre (2011) – on MoE land at Homai Primary School.

  • Ngā Taonga Aroha Early Childhood Centre (2017) – in Ōtara, on Māori Anglican Church land in partnership with Te Hui Amorangi o Te Tai Tokerau.

  • Aranga Early Childhood Centre (2019) – in Randwick Park on Auckland Council land at Riverton Reserve.

  • Eden Campus Early Learning Centre (2020) – on-site at the Eden Campus Teen Parent Unit, in collaboration with Auckland Girls’ Grammar.


The Trust also delivers social services for Māmā Taiohi (young mothers).  Te Whare o Taonga opened in 2011, provides supported accommodation for five māmā taiohi and their pēpi.  Our 4 Stages programme equips these māmā with the skills for independent living and parenting in a safe, nurturing environment with 24/7 staff support.


For māmā taiohi attending the Teen Parent Unit at James Cook High School the Trust provides intensive case management from our Social Worker. 

​

We also coordinate the delivery of antenatal services for teenage parents.  Monthly antenatal sessions are available (there is a minimum number of attendees required for these), peer support and home visits are carried out throughout pregnancy and into the initial postnatal period.

​

Taonga’s foundation was inspired in late 2001 by members of Ngā Wāhine Ātawhai o Matukutureia, a Māori Women’s Welfare League branch in Manurewa, who were approached to support teenage mothers still of school age. This collective commitment continues to underpin the Trust’s work to uplift and empower young mothers and their tamariki.

bottom of page