Ngā Tamariki Puāwai o Tāmaki | Auckland Kindergarten Association and the Tongan community in Ōtāhuhu are proud to have partnered to establish Fonua ´Alaha Manongi Kindergarten. Together we co-designed a kindergarten that reflects and celebrates the identity, home language and culture of the local Tongan community.

Opened in 2023, Fonua ´Alaha Manongi Kindergarten has engaging learning environments and programmes for fānaú (children) that reflect their community and identity. Fānaú are given the opportunity to explore and learn at their own pace in a safe and caring environment.

We value the individual strengths, interests and uniqueness of all fānaú. Our Kau Faiako (teaching team) act as positive role models and we value partnerships with fāmili /whānau which creates a sense of belonging for all.

The name Fonua ´Alaha Manongi Kindergarten reflects the partnership and the aspirations for fānaú who attend. Fonua is about the connection of people, land and beginnings. Fonua is also the Tongan word for placenta. The community see this partnership as the forming of a new fonua for the next generation.

Manongi and ´Alaha reflect the essence of connected quality experiences that the community aspires to for every child, establishing a foundation for lifelong learning, and a strong identity.

At Fonua ´Alaha Manongi Kindergarten our philosophy is centred on the importance of open space learning. Our fānaú learn through play, embrace our Tongan language and history, and celebrate the Tongan culture and identity.

We have a team of qualified ECE teachers from the Tongan community, passionate about the education of our fānaú. Some of the team have taught here and in Tonga and have a deep understanding of Anga Fakatonga (the Tongan way) in supporting children’s learning.