The Blessing of Learning Adventures Henderson: A Family’s Journey

Our journey with Learning Adventures Henderson has been a true blessing for our entire family.

In 2018, our whānau made the big move to West Auckland, and shortly after, our children, Quinn and Tairua, started daycare there. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed into a community that radiated whānaungatanga. The teachers were not just caregivers—they loved our kids as if they were their own. The connection between the staff and our children was so genuine, and it was clear that Learning Adventures was a place that truly cared about nurturing each child's unique growth.

What stood out to us was the extra attention given to after-evening activities, with initiatives designed to nurture our children's skills and interests. These thoughtful programs played a key role in their development, and we saw the impact firsthand.

As our family grew, so did our connection with Learning Adventures. When our youngest, Kauri, came along, we watched as our children moved through the rooms—each one growing and developing through well-planned activities and supported by loving staff. It was a beautiful experience to witness them learning about the world and discovering their own personalities and interests in such a caring environment.

In 2021, Learning Adventures Henderson took a creative step to rename the rooms, asking us, the parents, to submit suggestions and vote on names. For our family, trees have always held a special significance. Trees are not only vital for our survival—they absorb carbon dioxide and provide us with clean air to breathe. They offer shelter, housing, and medicines to help us fight disease. They are symbols of life and growth.

Our family has a tradition of planting our children’s placentas under trees in places of meaning to us. Quinn’s placenta is buried beneath a Puriri tree in Hamilton, where he was born. Tairua’s placenta rests beneath a Pohutakawa tree in Tairua, the place her name comes from. Kauri’s placenta lies beneath a mighty Kauri tree in Northland, where many of the country’s largest Kauri trees grow.

When I saw the opportunity to suggest names for the daycare rooms, I thought of these three iconic New Zealand native trees. I felt they would represent the stages of growth and learning our children go through in each room.

Puriri Tree (Baby Room)

I am from the Bay of Islands, and for Māori, the Puriri tree is considered a symbol of joy at being alive. The saying "Ka kata ngā pūriri ō taiamai" reflects this joy—a happiness that is embodied in the curiosity and wonder of babies as they explore the world around them. They find delight in the simplest things, making it the perfect symbol for the baby room.

Pohutakawa Tree (Toddler Room)

The Pohutakawa tree is an iconic symbol of New Zealand. Its vibrant crimson blossoms not only mark the arrival of summer but also symbolize spirituality, strength, and tenacity—all qualities that our toddlers embody as they navigate this exciting stage of their lives. This tree’s meaning resonated deeply with us, and I knew it would be a perfect fit for the toddler room.

Kauri Tree (Big Kids Room)

Lastly, the mighty Kauri tree, a true taonga to Aotearoa, represents the growth and strength of our big kids. The Kauri tree reaches for the sunlight, growing tall and strong when surrounded by other Kauri trees. It has a self-pruning mechanism, shedding its unwanted branches to conserve energy for growth. Just like the Kauri, our tamariki in the Kauri room strive for knowledge and growth, learning valuable lessons as they let go of bad habits before moving on to school. The Kauri tree perfectly symbolizes their journey.

I was so honored when my tree suggestions were chosen to represent each room at Learning Adventures Henderson. It felt like a small contribution to a community that had already given so much to our whānau.

After two years away in the USA, we returned to Learning Adventures in 2023 to enroll our children once again. Despite the new faces and artwork on the walls, the names of the rooms—Puriri, Pohutakawa, and Kauri—remain, a beautiful reminder of the love and aroha that flows through the daycare. These names have become a part of our family’s story and a symbol of the wonderful Learning Adventures community we are so lucky to belong to.

Now, our youngest, Stanford, is the only one left at Learning Adventures, as the older kids have moved on through the rooms and onto their next adventures. But don't worry, Stanford's tree is just as special. His tree is a Tōtara, planted at Tirimoana School, representing our connection to the land. The Tōtara tree holds deep significance for Māori culture—it roots us, anchors us, and connects us to our identity and place in the world. West Auckland is our home, our safe haven, and where we belong.

To Learning Adventures Henderson, thank you for being such an integral part of our whānau and community. You have loved our children as if they were your own, and we will forever be grateful for the care, nurture, and aroha you’ve shared with us. You have given our children the tools to grow, explore, and thrive, and we are honored to be part of your beautiful journey.

Arohanui,

Nadia, Zachary, Quinn, Tairua, Kauri & Stanford Katene