Auckland Kindergarten Association was established on 8 October 1908, with the aim of providing free kindergarten services to Auckland.

Mrs Leo Myers and other Myers family members are credited with establishing the AKA. The first kindergarten opened it’s doors on 19 October 1910 in Freemans Bay, with the support of funds and equipment from Sir John Logan Campbell and Lady Campbell. Over the years the kindergarten has changed location but still remains in operation today as Freemans Bay Kindergarten.

On 16 October 1916 AKA’s flagship kindergarten, Myers Kindergarten, was opened in Myers Park on Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD. The kindergarten was donated to AKA by Sir Arthur Myers who had also presented Myers Park to Auckland.  Myers Kindergarten now operates as KiNZ Myers Park, one of AKA’s all-day early learning centres.

From its humble beginnings, AKA now oversees 107 kindergartens and 4 KiNZ full day early learning centres, with approximately 10,000 tamariki attending each year, and employing 1000+ permanent and relieving teachers, head office and support staff.

If you are interested in reading more about the history of the AKA, you may like to read the following books: