Nuanua Kindergarten Opening Celebrations

Nuanua press release

Nuanua Kindergarten in Cannons Creek, Porirua, is celebrating the opening of its new building this Friday, 5 December.

The new kindergarten premises will allow 60 children to attend the immersion Tokelauan and Samoan centre, up from 30 at the moment. There will also be space for playgroups to operate.

Nuanua means Rainbow in both Tokelauan and Samoan, and the name came from the children who noticed a rainbow in 2009. The kindergarten was previously the Porirua Early Learning Centre. It grew from two highly successful playgroups supported by the Church, PIC Porirua.

The new premises have been partly funded by the Ministry of Education, and the centre now has separate spaces for the two languages, and community space for other educational activities.

Assistant Head Teacher Telesia Smith says the new building is exciting for the families. “It means the world to them.” While the old building has warm memories, it has been cold and the new environment will be more welcoming and “encourage fellowship” she says.

The playground has also been upgraded which will enhance learning for children.

Nuanua Kindergarten operates from 8.00 until 4.00 each day, and takes children from six months until five. With Toru Fetu kindergarten offering Cook Island, Tokelauan and Niuean languages, it will

enhance early learning opportunities for Pacific languages in Porirua.

Whnau Manaaki Kindergartens Chief Executive Amanda Coulston says the new building will strengthen the kindergarten’s ability to support languages and culture. “It’s an important day for the Samoan and Tokelauan communities.”

The official opening by Porirua’s mayor Nick Leggett at 9.00am will be followed by morning tea.

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