AoKids DNA
At AoKids, Children matter. Relationships matter. Culture matters. Quality matters.
AoKids was founded by trailblazing Mamas and community leaders whose values of alofa (love), tautua (service), and fa’aaloalo (respect) continue to shape the heart of who we are. Today, we honour these foundations while embracing the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa and the evolving future of early learning.
We create nurturing home-away-from-home environments where tamariki and whānau feel a true sense of belonging, where children are seen, heard, valued, and supported to grow with confidence in their identity, culture, and place in the world.
The meaning of Ao across Samoan and Te Ao Māori reflects dawn, light, cloud, world, and leadership. Together, these meanings guide AoKids direction – grounded in culture, connection, meaningful relationships, and quality learning experiences that help every child flourish as a confident lifelong learner.
AoKids Mission
To create opportunities for tamariki to grow, learn, and lead their learning journeys through strong relationships, cultural identity, and quality teaching practice.
Our Pillars
Lead. Innovate. Collect. Transform.
These pillars (values) bring the meaning of Ao to life.
We see these pillars as the pou of AoKids – the structural foundations that hold and support everything we do. They guide how we support children, families, and communities to:
LEAD
Lead With Heart, Mind, And Body
INNOVATE
Innovate Through Curiosity And Cultural Responsiveness
COLLECT
Collect Knowledge, Tools, And Wisdom From Their People And Environment
TRANSFORM
Transform Through Care, Resilience, And Belonging
AoKids Philosophy
At AoKids, we are dedicated to grounding children in their cultural and ethnic heritage, while supporting them to grow and thrive within the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We do this by working in partnership with whānau, communities, and educators to strengthen each child’s connection to who they are.
Through the implementation of Te Whāriki, we support a lifelong love of learning.
Our aim is to provide a strong foundation for tamariki to succeed in Aotearoa, the place they have chosen to call home.
Our Centres
AoKids is a family of early learning centres across Aotearoa.
Each centre reflects the community it sits within, while remaining connected through our shared commitment to Relationships, Culture, and Quality.
“A place that feels like a home away from home”
Select a centre to learn more
