Update 10 July 2024
During an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 26 June, the Kaipātiki Local Board voted to enter a conditional contract with The Y (formerly known as the YMCA) to take on the licenses of all three of the Kaipātiki Kauri Kids centres. The contract is conditional on the Ministry of Education approving the transfer of the Kaipātiki Kauri Kids licenses to The Y. If approved, it is expected that The Y will take over operation of the centres from 1 October. Kaipātiki Kauri Kids staff and families have been notified of the decision.
"I am very pleased that we have been able to find a way to keep our three much-loved Kauri Kids sites open, as promised. Thank you to all of the staff and whānau for their patience over this uncertain time. Although there are likely to be changes from the Kauri Kids service, I'm positive that The Y will bring to our area a community-minded ELC offering, and look forward to the Ministry of Education progressing the licence," Kaipātiki Local Board Chair John Gillon says.
Update 3 May 2024
At an extraordinary business meeting on 1 May 2024, the board authorised an extension of the operation of the three Kauri Kids centres until 30 September 2024 while they continue negotiations with third-party providers to take over the service. Kauri Kids staff and relevant stakeholders will be kept updated as this process continues.
Original article 20 July 2023
Kaipātiki Local Board has agreed to explore the possibility of third parties taking over Kauri Kids centres in its area now that regional funding for the programme has ended.
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.
Kaipātiki Local Board made the decision to seek third-party funding at its business meeting this week and Local Board chair John Gillon says the board is now actively trying to keep the much-loved centres in Beach Haven, Birkdale, and Glenfield open.
“We have heard very strongly from the community that our three Kauri Kids centres provide a valuable and unique service for our struggling families,” Gillon says.
“With our reduced budgets, we’ve managed to find a way to keep the service going for another year while we look for a non-commercial third-party provider, that aligns with Kauri Kids values, to take over the running of the service.
“Unfortunately, if we cannot find a suitable provider before the end of June 2024, the service will, at that point, need to close.”
