Become a HK Member
Become a Member of Heretaunga Kindergartens
Join our community of passionate supporters and help shape the future of early childhood education at Heretaunga Kindergartens Te Matāu o Māui.
By becoming a Member, you’re not only showing your commitment to quality early childhood education, you’re getting involved in decisions that impact tamariki and whānau across our community.
Why Become a Member of Heretaunga Kindergartens Association?
A Strong Tradition, a Modern Foundation.
Heretaunga Kindergartens has been part of the Hawke’s Bay community for almost 100 years, offering quality early childhood education across 16 kindergartens. Under our previous constitution (2019), membership was primarily about governance rights and supporting local kindergarten committees.
With the adoption of a new constitution in 2025, Heretaunga Kindergartens Te Matau-a-Māui Incorporated has strengthened its foundation to align with the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022, and to better reflect the needs of our whānau, tamariki, kaiako, and community.
What Membership Means Today
Becoming a member is about having a voice, a connection, and a role in shaping the future of early childhood education in our region.
- Voice in Governance
Voting Members (one per kindergarten) represent each kindergarten community, ensuring decisions are grounded in local needs and aspirations. Ordinary and Life Members can attend, speak, and contribute to Annual and Special General Meetings. - Connection to Community
Members are part of a network that values whanaungatanga, supporting tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. Our new constitution embeds tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, ensuring that culture, equity, and accessibility are at the heart of our mahi. - Shaping the Future
Members influence governance decisions, elect Board representatives, and contribute to the direction of Heretaunga Kindergartens for decades to come.
Membership in Action
- Have Your Say
As a member, you’ll be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where you can help shape the direction of our organisation - Stay Connected
Be part of a community of whānau, educators, and supporters who care deeply about the wellbeing and development of tamariki. - Support Quality ECE
Your membership helps ensure that our kindergartens continue to offer accessible, community-led, and high-quality learning experiences. - Contribute Through Volunteering
Our history is one of whānau involvement, and that continues today. We’re a not-for-profit incorporated society, that means we ask members to support our kindergartens by offering time, skills, and energy to help our kindergarten teams. Whether it’s lending a hand at events, joining a working bee, or supporting fundraising efforts, your contribution strengthens the relationship between whānau, kaiako, and tamariki. It’s not just about helping out – it’s about walking this journey together, where whānau learn, grow, and share alongside their tamariki with the guidance of our kaiako.
The Benefits of Membership
By joining, you:
- Help safeguard fit-for-purpose, kaiako-led, quality early childhood education in Hawke’s Bay.
- Support a governance model that values teaching, leadership, sustainability, and advocacy excellence.
- Play a role in ensuring that our kindergartens remain accessible, nurturing, and successful for all tamariki who walk through our doors.
- Gain opportunities to contribute to committees, special projects, and the long-term vision of the association.
Who Can Join?
Membership is open to:
- Parents, caregivers, and whānau of tamariki currently attending or on the waiting list for a Heretaunga Kindergarten.
- Members of the community who share an interest in education and want to support our kaupapa.
(Note: employees of HK cannot be Members, but they remain deeply involved through staff representation on the Board and cultural leadership roles.)
Moving Forward Together
Our Constitution provides a modern, transparent framework for governance and membership. It ensures that Heretaunga Kindergartens continues to thrive as a charitable, community-led, values-driven organisation.
Become a Member – Be Part of the Journey
If you value early childhood education and want to support the kaupapa of Heretaunga Kindergartens, becoming a member is one of the most important ways to contribute.
Raureka Kindergarten 1970 & 2023
Harold Mayo Kindergarten 1970 & 2023
To submit your application, click the button below to complete the online form, or download a printable version to fill out by hand.