Update 11 July 2024
During the Howick Local Board meeting on Thursday 27 June the Board unanimously voted to enter a conditional contract with Community Kids (trading as Howick Kids) to take on the license of Howick Kauri Kids.
The contract is conditional on the Ministry of Education approving the transfer of the Howick Kauri Kids license to Community Kids. If approved, it is expected that Community Kids will take over operation of the centre from 1 October. Howick Kauri Kids staff and families have been notified of the decision.
Board chair Damian Light says, “We know this has been a challenging and uncertain time for the tamariki, whānau and kaimahi of Howick Kauri Kids. Thank you for your patience while we worked through this important process where our focus has been on finding a practical solution to continue this amazing service. This decision enables this to happen, and we look forward to the Ministry of Education progressing the licence.”
To protect commercially sensitive information, the report, discussion, and minutes for the Early Childhood Education item of the 27 June 2024 meeting is covered by confidentiality rules. Information will be released once these reasons for confidentially no longer exist.
Update 3 May 2024
At an additional business meeting on 2 May 2024, Howick Local Board have agreed to continue the operation of the Howick Kauri Kids early childhood education centre until 30 September 2024, while they continue negotiations with third-party providers to take over the service.
Original article 20 July 2023
Board chair Damian Light says, “Last year, the board agreed to fund the additional operational costs of Howick Kauri Kids to ensure continuity of service until 30 June 2024, to find a new provider for this service.
“In our meeting, it was agreed to extend the deadline until 30 September 2024 while we continue negotiations with third-party providers to take over the service and ensure continuity of service.”
Light concludes, “We believe that the extra effort is worthwhile to protect this beloved community service and to continue to provide continuity of service for the tamariki, families and staff.”
In June 2023, Auckland Council’s governing body confirmed funding to the programme would be cut in its annual budget adoption, leaving the local boards involved in the programme (Kaipātiki, Devonport-Takapuna, Hibiscus and Bays, Manurewa, and Ōtara-Papatoetoe) with the tough decision as to whether they would try to support the programme from their own, already-reduced budgets.
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