Tongan Early Childhood Playgroup Centre opens in Auckland [1]
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 - 20:14. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
A new Tongan Early Childhood Playgroup and Training Centre has opened at Mt Roskill in Auckland, and named ‘Muniao ‘o e ‘Ofa’ or Net of Love by Hon. Lupepau’u Tuita on August 1.
Dr Linita Manu’atu said that the training centre of the ‘Kau Fakana’ana’a ‘o Falelalava & Loto‘Ofa WhatuManawa Educational Services’ would offer playgroups for two-days a week, starting on August 12.
She said other training would include Early Childhood Education Home Base of the Loto‘Ofa WhatuManawa Educational Services; handicraft work of the Tongan Women Development Group of Aotearoa chaired by Nola Leveni; and a Writing Retreat program for Tongan teachers of the Fakakoloa ‘a e Tongaa i Aotearoa Tongan Early Childhood Association to write Tongan reading materials for Tongan children in early childhood education.
The work for the Muniao 'o e 'Ofa Centre was initiated by the Loto‘Ofa WhatuManawa Educational Services whose directors include Johnny Grattan Vaea and Mele ‘Ileini Mahe Taione.
The centre is located on the NZ Department of Conservation property, while the NZ Ministry of Education assisted in its renovation.
The prayer service was led by Father Line Folaumoeloa with Hon. Lupepau’u as the guest of honour. Other guests included Yvette Guttenbeil-Po‘uhila, Meleseini Tu‘itupou and Tongan teachers from various Tongan Early Childhood Education schools in Auckland.