
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
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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
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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:
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Potiki Early Childhood Centre (est 2006), 28 Palmers Road, Clendon Park, 09 269 2862
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Kakano Early Childhood Centre (est 2007), 89-91 Palmers Road, Clendon Park, 09 269 2868
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Homai Ngā Taonga Early Childhood Centre (est 2011), 89 Browns Road, Manurewa, 09 269 2867
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Ngā Taonga Aroha Early Childhood Centre (est 2017), 183 Bairds Road, Otara, 09 283 0480
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Aranga Early Childhood Centre (est 2019), 32 Riverton Drive, Randwick Park, Manurewa East, 09 280 4042
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Eden Campus Early Learning Centre (2020), 16 Ngaruruhoe Street, Mt Eden, 09 638 3413
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.