CKC History 

Early History of this land 

Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā tangata whenua o te rohe nei, te Whanganui-a- Tara, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Atiawa/Taranaki ki Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga and Rangitaane o Wairarapa.

CKC is situated between the ridge line of Te Ranga-a-Hiwi, running north-south and Pukeahu, where at one time there was the Pā of Te Atī Awa.  The land surrounding Pukeahu was once known as Huriwhenua, where large gardens thrived. Several awa ran though the area. One awa, named Waitangi, flowed where Adelaide Road is now, and down to a body of water named Hauwai, now the Basin Reserve. Close by , was  a wetland area known as  Hauwai Mahinga Kai, used by iwi for food, water, and waka-launching. 

In  1855 a massive earthquake lifted the land and partially drained this wetland, changing  the landscape considerably. Te Waitangi awa is now piped underground, passing right by our whenua. It emerges in the recreated wetland in Waitangi Park and into the harbour near Te Papa. 

Our tamariki are aware of the presence of this awa and one of its tributaries, which flows under the land where Kaicycle is now,   We have listened near the storm water drain just outside CKC, to hear it , and followed the route of Waitangi awa down to the Basin Reserve and beyond to Waitangi Park  (See Learning story by  Kaiako Jonty Cook  16 December 2024) The waterways of Te Whanganui-a- Tara , especially those  beside us , will continue to influence our philosophy and practice at CKC . 

History of Capital Kids Cooperative 

In the early 1980s, an equal opportunities policy adopted by the Wellington Council highlighted the need for child care facilities for Council staff. And so in 1983 a working party was formed with the aim of creating a purpose built centre for all council staff.

Land was set aside,  nestled in, near existing private housing , commercial buildings and Wellington Hospital , and under the shadow of Te Ranga-a-Hiwi. In 1986, a small ceremony was held on the bare ground here , where the land was blessed and the  then Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves, formally placed the first spade into the earth to begin the work to build the Wellington City Council Creche. It was  designed by City Architects and built by O’Neill Builders and Construction, with the outdoor area  landscaped by Wellington City Council Parks and Recreation Department. 

And four years after the first discussions , finally  on 27 June 1987, our Centre, named Te Rūnanga tamariki o te Kaunihere Nui was again blessed and officially opened by the then Mayor of Wellington (Sir) Jim Belich , a 24 place centre, administered by a ‘Child care Trust’ made up of Wellington City Councillors, WCC staff, and parents. 

 Over time  rather than primarily being for Council staff,  we have become a not - for - profit community based Centre , our roll has increased to 30 places per day  and our name has changed to Capital Kids Cooperative. When our centre opened , its staff included male and female teachers which may have been ahead of its time in the 1980s . Within  the first couple of years  CKC  also made the news speaking out  for  better  pay and conditions for teachers , a legacy that proudly continues at CKC  today . 

 We were  fortunate that in  2015, Wellington City Council supported ‘workerBe Oasis Incorporated Society’ with a license to use the public park site at 5 Hospital Road “right next door , for an urban farm , now known as Kaicycle  (Kaicycle.org.nz) We are privileged to  enjoy a close relationship with these wonderful; neighbours , who regularly make time from their many tasks  to invite us into their space where much valuable matauranga is shared. 

Our Centre has served hundreds of  local families  over the years  , and we have continued to refine our policies , philosophy  and environment. In 2019 when  our present manager , Megan  White arrived ,the over and under 2’s barrier was taken down and our centre became a truly mixed age Centre. The 4 year old preschool area was taken down the following year to create a spacious play area with shelving for resources that were accessible to all. With parent support the fort outside was also  dismantled in 2022, after which a natural outdoor play space was created , designed and landscaped by Lewis Weaver, Alistair Luke and Jason Rees.  

With the ridge line of  Te Ranga-a-Hiwi above us ,  and Waitangi Awa and its tributaries flowing around and beneath us , ,  the beautiful ngahere within walking distance ,as well as  thriving  Kai Cycle next door, we are aware we in a special and unique place which has a lot to teach us about being responsible kaitiaki of the whenua

 And the  bustling suburb of Newtown and especially the Community and families we serve,  all help shape who we are as a Centre today . 

Knowing and acknowledging   our past is important  as we step into the future  . Going forward , 27 of June will be a special day of celebrating  our history   , and our CKC birthday  with our whānau and our community.