One year later, new centre set to open

Kaikohe's ABC early childhood centre is due to re-open on Wednesday, one year after it burnt down in a devastating fire.

Fire broke out at the Park Rd centre on the morning of July 11, 2012, just as parents and children were arriving for the day's activities. Staff and parents lifted 13 children, the youngest just three months old, to safety over a fence as smoke billowed from the eaves. Minutes later flames burst from the windows.

What was left of the old building, a former community hall, was demolished and a purpose-built daycare centre was constructed on the same site.

On Wednesday it will be ready for a formal blessing and opening.

Head teacher Ata Witana said the past year had been challenging but the new centre was "very impressive".

It had three separate learning spaces for children, specially designed play areas, new equipment, and an outdoor play space. It also had a meeting room available for community use.

To make sure the past was not forgotten the entrance had been adorned with two pou, carved by Kaikohe's Anthony Collins, symbolising the site's history and new beginning.

One pou had two figures representing the past and the present, including the church that once stood nearby; the second showed Tane, who climbed to the heavens and brought back the three kete matauranga (baskets of knowledge), representing knowledge and new beginnings.

Ms Witana said spaces were available at the new centre.

"We look forward to welcoming new families to plant a seed in our new gardens so our children can all reach for the sky, just like Tane."

The centre operated from premises at Kaikohe East School during the rebuild. The cause of the fire was traced to a faulty fluorescent light fitting dripping molten plastic onto mattresses.