Our Story

AoKids was not built overnight.

It was built on the hopes and dreams of our migrant parents and families who came to Aotearoa wanting the best for their children.
That foundation is still part of who we are today.

We are a family owned and operated organisation, proudly grounded in our Samoan heritage, and together with the right people who have the heart and passion we have built from Pasifika Early Learning to AoKids today.

The AoKids journey is about honouring our past, embracing who we are today, and striving for the very best future for our tamariki, whānau, and community. Guided by our Pacific roots and Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage, we continue to grow with purpose, belonging, and aspiration

Pasifika Early Learning was founded by visionary Pacific Mamas, aunties, and community leaders who created early learning spaces for families who had migrated to Aotearoa in search of opportunity. Guided by the values of alofa (love), tautua (service), and fa’aaloalo (respect), they nurtured children through storytelling, cultural practices, language, and community connection.

At the heart of this work were Pasifika womens, not only contributors to early learning, but the founders of it within our communities. They understood that education was about more than learning, it was about identity, belonging, and future opportunity.

From this collective vision, Pasifika Early Learning was established over 30 years ago with our first centre in Taita, formalising what had long been nurtured through community. Today, AoKids has grown into a family of centres across Aotearoa, with three centres in the Wellington region Taita, Naenae, and Porirua and two centres in Auckland, located in Papakura and Māngere, with another centre opening soon.

As we continue to grow, so too does our commitment to helping tamariki and whānau maintain strong connections to their language, culture, identity, and heritage.

We honour the founders whose vision and service laid the foundation for the work we continue today, and we acknowledge the legacy of Puaolele Kuresa, whose passion for teaching and learning continues to inspire generations.

Pasifika Early Learning grew into a family of centres that supported many New Zealand-born families to stay connected to their Samoan language, culture, and heritage. This led to the development of bilingual learning environments that reflected the communities we served and continue to today.

As Aotearoa’s communities have evolved, so too has our organisation. With growing diversity came a responsibility to remain responsive, strengthen our practice, and continue building sustainable learning spaces for future generations.

As the organisation evolved, there was also a need for an identity that reflected both our foundations and our future. The AoKids brand was developed by Ina Fautua alongside Brittany Newport — a founding child of Pasifika Early Learning, through a process of reflection, honouring our founding mamas and the journey that shaped us but also aspiring for our future generations to come

Where the past, present, and future come together — AoKids.

A reflection of identity, culture, connection, and our ongoing commitment to children, whānau, and community.

Today, AoKids is led by Founder & Managing Director Taula Sulu Ah Young, alongside her husband and Co-Founder, Valuniu Fale Fitu Ah-Young, who provides governance and strategic support to the organisation.

Born in Samoa, Sulu migrated to Aotearoa with her family in search of greater opportunities. She proudly traces her heritage to the villages of Lago, Tafitoala, Lalomanu, and Fusi Safata. Fitu was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents whose hopes and aspirations were grounded in creating a better future for their children and generations to come. His family connections are to the villages of Malie, Fasito‘otai, Afega, and Falelatai. Together, their shared experiences, cultural roots, and commitment to education continue to shape the heart of AoKids today.

For Sue and Fitu, early childhood education has always been about more than learning. It is about identity, belonging, confidence, culture, and creating opportunities for children and whānau to thrive. Their vision was to create nurturing spaces where children feel safe, valued, culturally connected, and supported from the very beginning of their learning journey.

AoKids remains deeply rooted in family and community. Sue and Fitu are proud parents of three children and grandparents to two grandchildren with two of their own children having attended Pasifika Early Learning, and now their grandchildren attending AoKids. Today, two of their children are also part of the organisation’s leadership team, continuing the legacy and strengthening the future of the work together.

AoKids was created with purpose to nurture belonging, identity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning, while celebrating the cultures, values, and aspirations that shape our communities.

We honour the founding mamas, families, and leaders who created spaces for children when those spaces did not yet exist, and we carry forward the responsibility to continue serving children, whānau, and communities with care, respect, and intention.

E le sili le ta’i i lo le tapua’i.

The leader is not greater than the support of the people.

O fanau o le lumana’i.

Children are the future.

We remain committed to ensuring every child is strong in who they are, supported in their learning, and prepared for their future.