About Akoteu Falemaama

Akoteu Falemaama is West Auckland's only Tongan Christian Early Learning Centre, belonging to the

Vai ‘o e Mo’ui Church, Ranui.

We are licensed for 50 children - up to 40 children over the age of 2, and up to 10 children under the age of 2.

Saame 36:9

He ko e matavai 'o e mo'ui 'oku 'i he 'Afiona. 'I ho'o Maama te mau sio Maama.

Our Story

Akoteu Falemaama started as a Playgroup at the Vai ‘o e Mo’ui church hall by Dr Malakai ‘Ofanoa.

In the year 2000, when Dr Malakai was President of the Pacific Island Early Childhood Association (PIECA), he suggested for the Church to build an Early Childhood Centre which was supported by the Setuata of the Church at that time, Sione Vehikite. Akoteu Falemaama was then built on the Vai ‘o e Mo’ui Church grounds.

The vision was to support the education of the young children of the Church in a Tongan language Christian environment and to offer employment opportunities to the Church community.

In 2005, Akoteu Falemaama was officially opened by former Prime Minister Helen Clark, and was given the name Falemaama.

The name Falemaama derives from the metaphoric concept of a Tongan Fale. The literal name of Falemaama is translated as the ‘house of light’ but the deeper meaning of the name Akoteu Falemaama is interpreted as a ‘house of education, a house for learning’. This house serves as a fale where our tamaiki and their famili/kainga are offered a loving, safe, nurturing, stimulating, educational, cultural environment to learn, develop, grow and shine out, thus living a successful life in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Faa'i kavei koula, the four principles that guide the people of Tonga, bound together by 'Ofa (love).

Press the + button next to each word to find the meaning in English.

Our Values

respecting each other
Fulfilling the expectations of one's position thus, maintaining a healthy relationship with each other.
Being passionate about one's beliefs, commitment.
Being humble.

Our Philosophy

The name Falemaama derives from the metaphoric concept of a Tongan Fale. The name itself literally is translated into English as the ‘house of light’, with a deeper meaning, the ‘house of education, the house for learning’. This house serves as the place where our tamaiki and their famili/kainga are offered a loving, safe, nurturing, stimulating, educational, cultural environment to learn, develop, grow and shine out, thus living a successful life in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Akoteu Falemaama believes in the significant contribution of the Tongan language, Christian Faith, and Tongan culture, in the learning and development of the tamasi’i/ta’ahine. This is promoted through the curriculum offered to all the tamaiki attending Akoteu Falemaama.

Akoteu Falemaama acknowledges Maori as Tangata Whenua and we support and encourage the bicultural journey with Maori as well as partnerships with all parents through the concept of whakawhanaungatanga / nofo ‘a kainga. Parents are encouraged to share their aspirations for their tamaiki as learners with a strong sense of identity, language, and culture.

Our tamaiki will be encouraged to make their own choices and our professional teaching team (kau faiako) will support and guide the learning of the tamaiki in the learning experiences they are engaged in. Inclusive practice ensures that all the learning of our tamaiki is not limited to gender, ability, ethnicity or background and they are encouraged to learn about and understand cultural diversity of their community and the wider world.

Akoteu Falemaama believes, together with the aspiration of Te Whariki, that all tamaiki will grow and develop into “competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging, and provided they are empowered to share their ideas, knowledge and skills freely, respectfully and supportingly, which will make them a valued contribution to the society they live in.” Te Whāriki 2017.