Inspired Kindergartens is proud to announce the opening of Tai o Fenua Kindergarten in Gate Pa (formerly Gate Pa Kindergarten).

Tai o Fenua is a kindergarten where Pacific languages, culture and identity are nurtured and celebrated and where everyone is welcome.

The kindergarten was established in partnership between Inspired Kindergartens and the Pacific Island Community Trust after listening to the needs of the local community.

'Our Tauranga community has a diverse mix of Pasifika cultures. We wanted to create a kindergarten that not only provided the best education and care for all tamariki, but a kindergarten that has a strong connection and understanding of Pasifika cultures”, says Inspired Kindergartens Principal Peter Monteith.

The kindergarten enrols children from six months right up to school age and operates Monday – Friday 8:30am – 2:30pm.

The 100 per cent trained and registered teaching team come from a diverse mix of cultures.

To cater and respond to the cultural needs of all children and families, the kindergarten will also employ local language and cultural experts.

"Our Pacific community is growing here in Tauranga. We're a diverse community, and so we have differing needs and aspirations. Tai o Fenua is really proud to offer a place not only for children, but a place for the whole family, where together, we can support each other, and find a sense of connection to each other and the wider community, says head teacher Roxy Burt.

'We are really looking forward to finding ways to weave traditional cultural values and practices into our everyday learning curriculum so that our children feel proud of who they are and where they come from. Not to mention we are really pleased to be re-opening a kindergarten that has been in our local Gate Pa community for over 40 years.”

The Kindergarten was honoured by the local Tuvalu community with the name 'Tai o Fenua” which translated means 'Sea of Islands".

'We are very blessed and thankful that we have accomplished this huge achievement for our Pasifika tamariki/fanau. Tai o Fenua will instill identity, celebrate the different cultures, share stories and learn from our past, and most importantly, acknowledging our faith - To God be the Glory," says Pacific Island Community Tauranga Trust Chief Executive Officer Esther Martin.

"A huge Fa'afetai Lava to all involved in making this kindergarten possible for our next Pasifika generations to come."