Devonport-Takapuna Local board has decided against funding the Takapuna Kauri Kids ECE programme from its own operational budget now that regional funding for the programme has been discontinued.
The governing body confirmed funding to the programme would be cut in its annual budget adoption on 9 June leaving the local boards involved in the programme (Kaipātiki, Devonport-Takapuna, Hibiscus and Bays, Howick, Manurewa, and Ōtara-Papatoetoe) with the tough decision as to whether they would try to support the programme from their own, already-reduced budgets.
Local Board Chair Toni van Tonder says the decision wasn’t made lightly.
“When the annual budget was adopted in June, we received a smaller budget cut than we had first thought, but that relief was short lived when we learned other costs that were usually funded at a regional level would need to be met by the Local Board, including the Kauri Kids ECE centre at Takapuna Pools.
So, the board has had to make some big decisions recently and focus on the facts and find ways to get the most value, for the most people with what little we have to create positive impact on our community.”
Next steps
Council will carefully plan to minimise any impact to parents, children, staff and our community.
The Takapuna Kauri Kids ECE programme will remain operating as per usual until decisions are made and transition plans agreed. Council teams will communicate frequently with as much information and timing as they can provide.
Auckland Council will move to a process of transition planning and implementation including an 8-week notice period.
Our staff plan to ensure support is available to affected families by proactively working with other ECE service providers, local boards, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development, IRD and impacted staff to enable as smooth a transition as possible while providing substantial notice.
