Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten

Welcome to Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten, located at 27 Fort Richard Road, Auckland. As an establishment and point of interest, our school is proud to partner with the Tongan community in Ōtāhuhu and the Auckland Kindergarten Association to create a unique learning environment that celebrates the identity, home language, and culture of the local Tongan community.

At Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten, we offer engaging learning environments and programs that reflect the community and identity of our fānaú (children). We believe in providing them with the opportunity to explore and learn at their own pace within a safe and caring environment.

We value the individual strengths, interests, and uniqueness of all our fānaú. Our dedicated teaching team, known as Kau Faiako, act as positive role models and we highly value partnerships with fāmili/whānau, creating a strong sense of belonging for everyone involved.

The name Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten represents our partnership and the aspirations we have for the fānaú who attend. "Fonua" symbolizes the connection between people, land, and new beginnings. It is also the Tongan word for placenta, signifying the formation of a new fonua (community) for the next generation. "Manongi" and "‘Alaha" reflect our commitment to providing connected, high-quality experiences for every child, establishing a foundation for lifelong learning and a strong identity.

Our philosophy at Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten centers around the importance of open space learning. Our fānaú learn through play, embracing our Tongan language and history, and celebrating the Tongan culture and identity.

We have a team of qualified early childhood education (ECE) teachers from the Tongan community who are passionate about the education of our fānaú. Some members of our team have taught here and in Tonga, bringing a deep understanding of the Anga Fakatonga (the Tongan way) in supporting children's learning.

We are open on weekdays from 8.30am to 3.30pm and are the only Auckland Kindergarten Association kindergarten that operates all year, responding to the needs of our community.

We warmly invite you to visit our kindergarten, where we will proudly show you our special learning environment and discuss the unique opportunities we can offer you and your fānaú. To celebrate our opening, we are currently offering no fees until the end of 2023!

Kindergarten hours are Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, and our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4.45pm. Please note that we are closed on public holidays.

For more information about our extended network and to stay updated on what's happening, head over to our Auckland Kindergarten Association blog.

We look forward to welcoming you and your fānaú to Fonua ‘Alaha Manongi Kindergarten, where we prioritize the holistic development and cultural enrichment of each child in our care.