Kauri Kids closure confirmed

Kauri Kids, the Auckland Council-owned childcare centre in Stanmore Bay, and its Browns Bay counterpart, will close at the end of this year, with the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board funding them until December 31.

During its recent budget process, Council made the decision to withdraw from funding the service and leave it to local boards whether to keep Kauri Kids going in their areas.

Since then, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has wrestled with the problem, including long sessions in confidential workshops.

Its decision was made public today. It followed a second emotional plea from Stanmore Bay Kauri Kids parent Jessica McLean who came to the board’s public forum yesterday, begging them to keep the centre going.

Members have stressed how difficult a decision this was, as they were torn between supporting the community and financial pressures.

Chair Gary Brown says the decision is designed 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,” Brown says. “With our reduced budgets, we’ve found 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.”

Six of Auckland’s 21 local boards have Kauri Kids, and the decisions made have been mixed. Howick and Kaipatiki Local Boards extended the service until June 30, 2024, while looking for expressions of interest to operate it.

Devonport-Takapuna and Manurewa are closing their Kauri Kids.

Otara Papatoetoe also made its decision yesterday, and it has not yet been made public.