Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has decided to fund the Kauri Kids centres in its area from its own operational budget until 22 December 2023, now that regional funding for the programme has been discontinued.
As part of its Annual Budget decision-making process, Auckland Council confirmed regional funding for the centres would be cut.
That left affected local boards to decide whether they would try to support local Kauri Kids facilities from their own reduced budgets, close them or explore third-party arrangements.
Local Board Chair Gary Brown says the local board has made the hard decision to close the centres in Browns Bay and Stanmore Bay but wanted to give staff and families more time to adjust to the closures.
“We heard very clearly about the essential and treasured service that our two Kauri Kids centres provide for struggling families, unfortunately ratepayers were subsidising them to stay open.
“With our reduced budgets, we’ve managed to find a way to keep the service going until the end of the year and we hope that gives parents adequate time to make new childcare arrangements.”
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