Waimea Kindergarten

23/09/2026

11/09/2026

Our artwork celebrating 100 years of kindergarten in Aotearoa is now at Government House in Wellington. Ka rawe, tamariki mā 💛

Discover the four artworks created by Nelson Tasman Kindergartens to celebrate 100 years of kindergarten in Aotearoa, including Waimea Kindergarten’s winning artwork presented at Government House in Wellington.

28/08/2026

🌼 Ngā mihi nui! 🌼

Our kindegarten raised $101.70 on Daffodil Day for the Cancer Society! Thank you to everyone who wore daffodil colours and popped a donation in today! Every donation makes a difference 💛

11/08/2026

We are proud to share this special artwork, created last term by our Waimea tamariki to celebrate 100 years of kindergarten in Aotearoa (1926–2026)! 🎉

This was an awesome team effort from beginning to end. Our tamariki painted big, colourful sheets of paper 🎨 Those were then cut into strips, and little hands worked together to weave them over and under into a beautiful whāriki.

With a helping hand from our kaiako at the sewing machine, and tamariki at the pedal, every strip was stitched together. The shimmering gold thread you can see winding through the background represents the kaiako, who like skilled weavers have brought people together and nurtured relationships across generations. 🧵✨

At the heart stands a strong tree. Its roots honour our ancestors, its trunk represents our people today, and its branches represent the generations still to come.

The silhouettes of tamariki walking under the tree represent 100 years of children learning, playing and growing together. 💛

Each leaf carries the values close to our hearts of Whānau, Aroha, Ako, Whakapapa, Kotahitanga and Manaakitanga, honouring te ao Māori, and the many stories that shape our community.

Inspired by the woven whāriki of Te Whāriki, every individual piece contributes to a greater whole, just like every tamaiti, whānau and kaiako belongs and has something valuable to contribute. 🌿

This artwork tells a story of connection across time with honouring where we have come from, celebrating who we are today, and looking with hope towards the next 100 years. 🌳

07/08/2026

Meet Agatha (Aggy for short) and Flossie, our brand new guinea pigs at te awa! 🩷🩷

The names were chosen by our tamariki, who put a lot of thought (and giggles) into getting them just right. Agatha and Flossie are pretty perfect names for two little squeakers with big personalities!

Our tamariki are so excited to be their kaitiaki, learning all about how to care for, feed, and look after their new friends. There's already been plenty of gentle pats, happy squeaks, and munching on fresh veggies. 🥬

Watch this space for more adventures from Agatha and Flossie. We have a feeling these two are going to be very well loved! 💛🤍🤎

16/07/2026

Ngā Whetū Pīata 2026 ⭐

The bus ride to Hope was just the beginning of an exciting day for our tamariki last Wednesday. Bags packed, hi-vis on, and so much excitement bubbling away before we'd even arrived!

Then came the moment where we all went up on stage, standing proud in front of tamariki from other kindergartens, ready to sing and sign their waiata. The mahi they've put in practicing shone through in their performance, and we couldn't be prouder of every single one of them.

A huge mihi to our kaiako and whānau on the day that got our tamariki ready to stand. It is an awesome way to celebrate Matariki with other tamariki from our kindergarten association and the wider community.

Ngā mihi to Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui Māori Culture Council and Creative Arts Nelson, whose funding made this kaupapa possible

03/07/2026

✨ Mānawatia a Matariki! ✨

Last night our kindergarten came alive under the stars as we gathered with whānau and friends to celebrate Matariki

A lantern-lit pathway welcomed everyone in for a night of warmth and wonder. We shared delicious kai together of warm soup and freshly baked bread. We sang waiata, and hung our wishes for the year ahead on the wishing tree. There were marshmallows toasted over the fire, twinkling lights everywhere, and plenty of laughter and aroha as we remembered the past, celebrated the present, and looked forward to the future

Ngā mihi to all our whānau who joined us and helped make the evening so special. These are the moments and memories we treasure 💛

11/06/2026

Celebrating 100 butterflies and years!

11/06/2026

What a special number to land on! 🦋🦋🦋

Since January, our tamariki have hatched and released 100 monarch butterflies from our kindergarten garden, and in a lovely twist, it's happened in the very same year New Zealand Kindergartens celebrates its 100th birthday!

Did you know the word kindergarten means "children's garden"? It reflects the idea that children, like flowers or butterflies, thrive when nurtured in a caring environment where they learn and grow through play. In our kindergarten, our tamariki have been planting swan plants, spotting tiny eggs, feeding hungry caterpillars, marvelling at the chrysalis, and waving at each butterfly as it takes flight. We have kept our own tally chart, counting and classifying every butterfly along the way! Hands-on learning about lifecycles, numbers, and kaitiakitanga is fun and shows care for even our smallest living friends.

A huge thank you to our wonderful whānau and wider community whose support helps our butterflies and our tamariki flourish. 💚

100 butterflies in the year New Zealand Kindergartens turns 100!