Kindergarten Movement Webinar

Join us to learn about the whakapapa of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most enduring early childhood institution: Kindergarten.

In this webinar, kindergarten kaiako, and union leaders, Sally Griffin, and Nadine Priebs will join Clare Wells, President of Te Rito Maioha, early childhood legend, advocate and former CEO of New Zealand Kindergartens, to introduce the origins and evolution of kindergartens, showing how the movement grew from community organising - driven largely by women advocating for professional recognition, children, families, and social equity.

They will explore how unionism, collective action, and feminist principles of fairness and solidarity shaped major wins for the sector, including achieving pay parity for kindergarten teachers with their primary colleagues. The session also highlights kindergartens’ unique position as a public sector early learning service, and the ongoing legacy of those who fought for gender equity, professional recognition, and accessible education.