Hira Rural Kindergarten

Up to 30 hours free • Play-based learning • Transition to school • Enviroschools Green Gold

Hours
About
Our Team
More Info

Where we are

460 Wakapuaka Road
State Highway 6
RD1, Nelson 7071

03 545 0224
hirakindergarten@ntk.org.nz

Hours

Monday: 8.30am - 2.30pm
Tuesday: 8.30am - 2.30pm
Wednesday: 8.30am - 2.30pm
Thursday: 8.30am - 2.30pm
Friday: 8.30am - 2.30pm

 
Children working on a craft project at a wooden table, using small beads and decorative items for jewelry or decorations, with a tray of striped pasta-shaped beads nearby.

Welcome to Hira Rural Kindergarten

Hira Rural Kindergarten is a modern, spacious centre nestled in a beautiful semi-rural setting, surrounded by nature. Proudly owned and maintained by the local community, the kindergarten shares its space with a licensed playgroup and welcomes other community groups—reflecting the strong partnerships we value and nurture.

Our programme is enriched by regular visits from experts in music and dance, weekly summer sessions at the adjacent courts for ‘Sports on the Courts’, and nature play every Friday in the paddock next door.

Whānau are always welcome and play an important role in kindergarten life—as helpers during sessions, committee members, and as sharers of knowledge, skills, and passions. Most importantly, they are valued as the experts and advocates for their own tamariki.

All our teachers are committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to strengthening the bicultural partnership of Aotearoa New Zealand.

With just 30 tamariki, Hira Kindergarten offers a close-knit, friendly, and inclusive learning environment where every child is seen, heard, and supported.

Our Team

  • Head Teacher at Hira Rural Kindergarten.

    Sarah Watson

    Head Teacher

  • Kaiako at Hira Rural Kindergarten.

    Louise Waddington

    Teacher

  • Kaiako at Hira Rural Kindergarten.

    Claire Carpenter

    Teacher

  • Kaiako at Hira Rural Kindergarten.

    Karen Gilbert

    Teacher

  • Kaiako at Hira Rural Kindergarten.

    Chris von Schreibern

    Teacher

Six people standing outdoors in front of trees, smiling at the camera, in casual clothing.

This is Us

Here’s a glimpse of our whole team — working, learning, and caring side by side to support your tamariki every day.

From left: Louise Waddington (Teacher), Claire Carpenter (Teacher), Karen Broderson (Administrator), Karen Gilbert (Teacher), ​Chris von Schreibern (Teacher), Sarah Watson (Head Teacher)

  • At Hira Kindergarten, we value whanaungatanga — the strong, respectful relationships we build with tamariki, whānau, kaiako, and our wider community. These connections shape the inclusive, nurturing environment we create together.

    You’ll see joyful tamariki learning through play, friendships growing, and kaiako responding to each child’s age, interests and strengths. Time in nature, tuakana-teina relationships, and a focus on collective wellbeing reflect our commitment to manaakitanga.

    You’ll hear laughter, te reo Māori spoken, and kaiako sparking curiosity through calm, purposeful engagement. We honour the 8 iwi of Te Tauihu through pepeha, stories and waiata, and explore how to care for our land and each other — this is kaitiakitanga.

    And you’ll feel a strong sense of welcome and belonging. Tamariki are supported to connect with their own identity, express emotions, and build confidence in themselves, their peers, and the natural world. This is wairuatanga.

    Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia ō tātou mahi — Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.

  • At Hira Kindergarten, our outdoor space offers tamariki the freedom to explore, connect with nature, and enjoy the beauty of a rural setting—just 12km from the city. With neighbouring sheep, lush gardens, established trees, rocks and logs to climb, and a dedicated space for digging and making mud pies, there’s plenty of room for discovery, movement, and imaginative play.

    Indoors, our calm yet vibrant environment is thoughtfully resourced to inspire creativity and support rich, purposeful play.

  • Our older tamariki take part in daily group sessions in our dedicated whānau room. These sessions focus on self-directed challenges, sustained projects, deep conversations, and experiences that support a confident, positive transition to school.

  • Most sessions are free under the Ministry of Education’s 20 Hours ECE policy. You may also be eligible for up to 30 hours free, please enquire at your preferred kindergarten. Family contributions are requested to cover additional activities.

    Learn more about fees and funding

  • Nau mai, haere mai – a big welcome to all tamariki and whānau.

    Children can start at Hira Rural Kindergarten from age two. We're open Monday and Friday, 8:30am–2:45pm, and Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30am–2:30pm. Our kindergarten operates from early January through to late December, with breaks during the public holidays.

    Before your child officially starts, we encourage three settling visits. These help tamariki feel comfortable in their new environment and give you time to build a relationship with their key teacher — supporting a smooth and positive transition into kindergarten life.

    We look forward to meeting you and sharing our wonderful kindergarten with you.

    Read the latest Education Review Office report for Hira Rural Kindergarten.

ENQUIRE TO ENROL
  • A wooden deck with scattered numbered game tiles, a decorative basket filled with pinecones, and a small bouquet of pink, red, and purple flowers with a monarch butterfly resting on one flower.
  • Colorful monarch butterflies on a garden plant with pink flowers, in front of a wooden fence.
  • Children's hands using tongs to pick up cooked carrots and beets on a yellow table during a cooking activity.
  • Close-up of a vibrant yellow sunflower with a bee flying nearby in a room with a large window and some greenery outside.
  • A small, fluffy, yellow chick inside a cage with food, water dispenser, and colorful background.
  • A monarch butterfly caterpillar on a green plant stem, with a monarch butterfly butterfly resting on a lower leaf of the plant.
  • A collection of painted and natural rocks, sea shells, colorful markers, a book titled "Kupe and Teke and Wekenui," and white paper on a woven mat.