Arawa Street Early Learning Centre

04/09/2026

Phil Twyford is coming to our sister centre Paramount Grove!

03/09/2026

CALLING ALL DADS, GRANDADS & FATHER FIGURES!

This Friday 4 September we’re opening our doors and inviting our Arawa Street whānau and wider community to join us as we celebrate the incredible father figures who nurture, guide, love and support our tamariki.

Whether you’re a Dad, Grandad, stepdad, uncle, koro, father figure or someone who plays that special role in a child’s life — this celebration is for YOU! 💙

As a small thank you for simply being you, we would love to treat you to a little something from us. ☕🥐

If you are part of our Arawa Street whānau or our wider community, we would love to see you!

Pop in and help yourself to a takeaway morning and/or afternoon tea as we celebrate the special whanau who make a difference in the lives of our children.

From all of us at Arawa Street Early Learning Centre, thank you for everything you do. We would love for you to pop in, say hello and let us celebrate you!

Happy Father’s Day!

01/09/2026

Embracing the Seasons | Discovering the Natural World

As we embrace the changing season, our tamariki have been actively exploring and discovering the beauty that surrounds them within our natural environment.

As a Reggio-inspired centre, we see the environment as an important part of our curriculum — a place that invites curiosity, wonder, exploration and connection. With our vast outdoor spaces, our tamariki have plenty of opportunities to slow down, observe, investigate and discover the natural resources that are all around them.

Through intentional teaching, our kaiako embrace and extend upon the children's natural curiosity, allowing their interests and discoveries to guide meaningful learning experiences. A fallen leaf, a tiny insect, a seed, a puddle or a changing flower can become the beginning of a much deeper investigation.

We believe in giving our tamariki the time, space and freedom to wonder 'I wonder what will happen if…” and to develop their own theories as they explore the world around them.

These everyday moments of discovery are where meaningful learning happens, nurturing confident, capable and curious learners who feel a strong sense of connection to their environment.

He taiao, he ako, he tūhura — our environment, our learning, our exploration.

26/08/2026

GROWING, MOVING & CONNECTING TOGETHER

At Arawa Street, we believe learning extends beyond the classroom. We are deeply connected to our community, creating meaningful opportunities for our tamariki to connect, explore, grow and learn together.

Every Thursday, our tamariki look forward to Playball! ⚽🏀 Through intentional, fun and engaging movement experiences, they develop their gross and fine motor skills, coordination, confidence, communication, teamwork and social-emotional skills.

It’s more than just movement — it’s about connection, belonging and being part of a community. We love watching our tamariki cheer each other on, challenge themselves, build confidence and, most importantly, have fun together!

Growing together, learning together, and strengthening our connections with each other and our community.

25/08/2026

25/08/2026

ONE YEAR, A JOURNEY OF BECOMING 🌿

This past Saturday, we had the privilege of coming together as a community to celebrate one very special milestone — one year of Arawa Street.

It was a beautiful day filled with laughter, connection, play, shared kai, memories and moments together. Our celebration was a chance to pause from the everyday and recognise just how far we have come.

As we celebrate one year of Arawa Street, we take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us here.

A year filled with moments, memories, relationships, challenges, discoveries, laughter, learning and growth.

Through the photographs we have captured along the way, we revisit the stories that have unfolded within our spaces and across our community.

🌱 The friendships formed.
🌱 The connections nurtured.
🌱 The ideas explored.
🌱 The laughter shared.
🌱 The challenges navigated.
🌱 The milestones celebrated.
🌱 The learning that continues to emerge.

We stop. We reflect. We remember.

In the spirit of our Reggio-inspired approach we recognise that our environment, our relationships and our experiences are all woven into the learning journey.

This past year has not been perfect — and perhaps that is part of its beauty. We honour the ups and downs, the questions, the learnings and the growth, knowing that every experience has contributed to who we are becoming together.

Saturday reminded us that milestones are not simply about looking back — they are about recognising the people who have walked alongside us and the community we continue to build together

To our tamariki, whānau, kaiako and wider community— thank you for showing up, sharing in our celebrations, trusting us with your stories and being part of the Arawa Street journey.

One year of Arawa Street. 🌿

A collection of moments.
A tapestry of stories.
A community growing together.

Our story began one year ago — and it is still unfolding…

20/08/2026

🌿🎉 A LITTLE REMINDER, WHĀNAU! 🎉🌿

Our Arawa Street 1-Year Birthday Bash is happening THIS SATURDAY!

We’re looking forward to bringing our tamariki, whānau, friends and wider community together to celebrate one whole year as Arawa Street Early Learning Centre.

📅 Saturday 22nd August
🕚 11am–1pm
📍 Arawa Street Early Learning Centre (32 Arawa Street, New Lynn)

There’ll be plenty happening on the day, including:

🎈 Bouncy castle
🎨 Face painting
🍦 Mr Whippy
🏃‍♀️ Fun games and activities
🧺 Food, goods and product stalls from our wonderful team and whānau.

Our whānau stalls are a special part of the day, giving our people an opportunity to share their own mahi, talents and products with our community. This is a beautiful reflection of whakamana — empowering and uplifting one another.

So, if you haven't already, save the date and come along! Bring your friends, bring your whānau and come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of connection, celebration and aroha.

We’re so excited to celebrate this milestone in true Arawa style

Ngā mihi nui, whānau — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

17/08/2026

Finding Joy in Every Day

Nothing without joy!

As we journey through the winter season, we’re reminded that there is beauty to be found in every kind of day — in the rain, beneath the clouds, and in those precious moments when the sunshine breaks through.

Here at Arawa Street Early Learning Centre, we believe some of the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones. A puddle to splash in, a muddy adventure, laughter shared with friends, a warm cuddle, discovering something new, or simply taking a moment to stop, explore and be present.

For our tamariki, joy can be found everywhere — when we slow down enough to notice it.

Our learning is grounded in whakamana — recognising the mana, capabilities and unique ways each child experiences and makes sense of their world. We treasure these everyday moments and the wonder, curiosity and joy that our tamariki bring into our Centre each day.

So, as the winter days continue, let’s embrace all that they bring— the rain, the clouds, the sunshine, the puddles, the laughter and the little moments that become big memories.

Because at Arawa, there’s always a little joy to be found.

He aha te mea nui? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.