About us

New Zealand Kindergartens Incorporated Te Putahi Kura Puhou o Aotearoa (NZK) is the national umbrella group representing twenty nine of the thirty three regional kindergarten associations throughout New Zealand. We are not-for-profit incorporated society and registered with the Charities Commission.

NZK strategic goals

• Growth and diversity

  Provide the environment to enable our member associations to increase the participation of children and whanau in early childhood education. 

• Organisational robustness 

  Model effective and efficient business and governance practices. 

• Quality

  Promote and support continuous quality improvement. 

• Community/collaborative relationships

  Initiate and develop relationships that are beneficial to our purpose and vision.

NZK board

NZK has a seven member governance board and operates a national office in Wellington.

The board comprises a president, three independent appointed members, and three elected members, one of whom is an association manager and one, an early childhood professional.

Current board members are:

Frank Bourgeois, Tauranga - President 

Frank was appointed to the NZK board in November 2009 and elected as president in May 2011. Frank was a board member of the Tauranga Region Free Kindergarten Association from 2005 – 2011, and president for three years. Frank has a background the finance and commercial business sectors.

“We are in a time where change will come from our own need to be true to a vision of what we would like to provide for children, families, and whānau, what direction the government will determine for the sector and what families want from ECE services.”

Kelly Ellis, New Plymouth - Association manager

Kelly was elected to the association manager position on the NZK board in 2009 and took up a second term in 2011. Kelly is the North Taranaki Kindergarten Association (NTKA) manager. Kelly was an elected to the NTKA governing board in 2000 and held the position of chair for three years until taking up her current position as manager.

“We need to uphold the principles of kindergarten - quality, affordable and accessible early childhood education for children and whānau in our communities, and ensure kindergarten remains a quality choice for future generations of tamariki throughout Aotearoa NZ.”

Anne Masterton, Wellington - ECE professional

Anne was elected to the ECE professional role on the NZK board in 2012. Anne has been involved in kindergarten for 23 years, as a teacher, head teacher, and currently senior teacher with Wellington Kindergartens.

“I believe that all children and families deserve high quality early childhood education and as a professional, I believe that it is my responsibility to advocate for children and families. I have a strong personal commitment to working in an environment that reflects and advocates the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.”

Claire Brown, Wellington

Claire was elected to the NZK board in 2011 and took up an appointed position on the board in 2013. Claire has been a board member on the Wellington Kindergarten Association since 2005 and vice-chair since 2009, and is also a trustee on the Cashmere Avenue School board.

“I am passionate about kindergarten and the benefits of quality ECE and believe that a good start prepares our children for life. I want to ensure that all children in New Zealand have the opportunity to participate in kindergarten.”

Lesley Moffat, Wellington 

Lesley joined the NZK board in an appointed position in 2011. As the director of her own governance and training organisation, Lesley works mainly in the community sector designing and developing solutions with boards, members and trustees. Lesley promotes the use of best practice ideas developed from a strong theoretical base with proven practical application. Lesley shares the passion for learning that she has observed with those involved in early childhood education. As Plutarch said “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."

Jan Forsyth, Christchurch

Jan was elected to the NZK board in 2012. Jan has been on the board of Kidsfirst Kindergartens, Canterbury for seven years and as chair since 2011. During this time, the board has been faced with challenging decisions due to the earthquakes, to ensure that Kidsfirst remains strong financially and organisationally. Jan has a background in banking, sales and marketing, and as a business owner, and has been involved in community committees and governance at an association level.

“I believe in the importance of a first class start in education.”

Gigi Hollyer, Queenstown

Gigi was elected to the Central Otago Kindergarten Association board in 2007 and as president in 2009. Gigi was appointed to the NZK board in 2013. Gigi’s passion for education stems from her background as a secondary school teacher. Since 2001, her involvement in education including as an education manager and Kip McGrath business owner to current board member and more recently chair of a school board of trustees.

The NZK board meets at least six times annually. NZK hosts a national meeting for members annually and a conference every two years. There is a national governance hui held in the alternate year to conference. NZK sponsors an annual managers hui and an annual hui for kindergarten professional teams, and a regional governance hui.

NZK National office

National office staff are:

      Clare Wells                Amy Beliveau                  Joanne Newth
 Chief  Executive           Policy Advisor                  Administrator