Introducing Child Rich Communities’ Learning Cluster 2025-2026
Across Aotearoa, local communities are leading the way in creating places where children and young people thrive. To better understand what truly supports child and youth wellbeing, we’re walking alongside four incredible community-led initiatives, each grounded in place, passion, and a vision for better outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau.
Over the next 18 months, these four sites will share their experiences, challenges, successes and insights. Through regular connection and shared learning, we’ll be building a collective story of what child-rich community development looks like in action, and how it can shift systems and support long-term wellbeing.
Meet the learning cluster and follow their journey below.
Anglican Care Waiapu’s Whānau Aroha Early Childhood Centres provide a place of belonging, kinship, and support for whānau in high-needs communities. By integrating kai, transport, advocacy, and connections to wider services, these centres are designed to uplift families alongside their tamariki. Through the Learning Cluster, ACW hopes to deepen its commitment to community-led approaches, empowering whānau to take an active role in shaping the future of their centres and building leadership from within.
Te Pae Urungi, part of Wesley Community Action, is based in the Eastern suburbs of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, creating a space where community voice is valued and whānau are supported to achieve their aspirations. The team works closely within their communities, nurturing strong relationships to foster leadership through fitness, wellbeing, personal development, and advocacy. Through the Learning Cluster, they hope to create space for reflection, share their learnings more widely, and continue evolving their mahi to support tamariki in growing their hopes and aspirations within whānau.
The Dunedin Plunket Hub – Kotahitaka, Ōtepoti is a central space in South Dunedin where whānau with tamariki under five can access wraparound support. Bringing together clinical and community teams, the hub offers well-child checks, whānau connections, injury prevention, home safety advice, and home help services. Through the Learning Cluster, they aim to strengthen community connections, ensuring whānau have a voice in shaping the hub as a welcoming and supportive space.
A Place Called Home – Guild Street Community Housing Village, Ōtautahi, led by Christchurch Methodist Mission, is more than just housing, it integrates social support and community development, creating a stable and supportive environment where whānau and tamariki can thrive. Through the Learning Cluster, they aim to deepen their reflective practice, strengthen connections with like-minded initiatives, and enhance the use of community-led development tools to further support whānau and tamariki.
Whaowhia te kete mātauranga. Fill the basket of knowledge.
We honour all those communities and organisations who have shared their practice and wisdom with us. Nau mai haere mai e te whānau! We are excited about paddling this waka with you.