Poukai Pēpi is an early learning initiative giving the youngest children of Waikato-Tainui the strongest start in education.

It is a pilot programme established by Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry of Education’s Early Learning Taskforce, together with Waikato-Tainui; and was tested at six poukai between October and December 2013.

Poukai is a well-established Waikato-Tainui tribal gathering hosted by various marae in the region over the course of a year. Poukai provide a forum for communities to get together and share with each themed by a specific kaupapa, or conversation. The Poukai ‘circuit’ was inaugurated by Kīngi Tawhiao in the 19th century as a mechanism to support widows, vulnerable community members, and people in need.

As a forum with significant mana, all involved recognised Poukai as the ideal vehicle to get the early childhood education message across. It provided a puna kōhungahunga (Māori language playgroup) atmosphere for learning and celebrating learning, all while having fun at poukai.

Te Puni Kōkiri Waikato Regional Director Gail Campbell says this way of working is an excellent example of Government agencies and iwi working together in innovative ways to reach a common goal. “This is a new way of working cross the public sector that is getting results. It’s great that we can share resources, experience and skills to connect Waikato -Tainui knowledge with a life-long love of learning” The Government set Better Public Service targets to get results that make a difference to New Zealanders. Poukai Pēpi contributes to the BPS target that in 2016, 98 per cent of new entrants will have participated in quality early childhood education. An independent observation and evaluation is being undertaken at each event to ensure Poukai Pēpi is effective and reaching whānau. Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite says:

“By working together with the Ministry of Education and Waikato-Tainui we can take the message of early learning to places where people naturally come together, so that things start happening on the ground.” “Right now 95.8 per cent of all young children are participating in ECE. For Māori, it is 92.7 per cent. So we still have work to do,” says Mrs Hippolite.

Image: Some of the art-work created by Tainui pēpi at the Poukai at Ngaatira Marae, November 2013.