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 AoKids into what it is 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

The roots of Pasifika Early Learning was founded by our mamas, aunties, and community leaders. Our founding mamas created early learning spaces for our families that had migrated to Aotearoa in search of opportunity. They served our families with these core values – alofa (love), tautua (service), and fa’aaloalo (respect), alongside cultural knowledge was passed down through storytelling, cultural practices, and performance.

At the centre of this work were our Pasifika women — our mamas, aunties, and community leaders, who were not just contributors to early learning, but the founders of it within our communities.

With limited resources but deep commitment, the mamas understood that education was not just about learning but it was about identity, belonging, and future opportunity. From this collective effort, Pasifika Early Learning – our first centre in Taita was birthed over 30 years ago, formalising what had already been nurtured through community. As Pasifika Early Learning grew into a family of centres, so too did its impact in supporting many New Zealand-born families to retain connection to their language and culture. We acknowledge and pay homage to the founders of Pasifika Early Learning, whose vision and service laid the foundation for the work we continue today. We also honour the memory of Puaolele Kuresa, whose passion for teaching and learning continues to inspire generations.

Pasifika Early Learning grew into a family of centres that became a foundation for many New Zealand-born families wanting their tamariki to retain and stay connected to their Samoan language and heritage. This led to the development of bilingual environments across our centres, a reflection of the communities we served, and in some cases, still continue today.

As the ethnic makeup of Aotearoa has continued to evolve, with more diverse and mixed cultural families, so too has our organisation. With that growth has come a greater responsibility to strengthen this work, remain responsive to the communities we serve, and ensure its sustainability for future generations.

As the organisation evolved, there was a need to define an identity that reflected both where we had come from and where we were going. The AoKids brand was developed by Ina Fautua, who carries a strong connection to our past, in collaboration with Brittany Newport, a founding child of Pasifika Early Learning.

This new transition was a process of reflection – honouring our mamas, understanding the journey and all the learnings, and shaping how we present ourselves into the future.

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

It is a reflection of identity, and a reminder of why we continue to choose this work to serve our children, our families, and our communities with purpose.

Today, AoKids is led by Founder & Managing Director Taulamago Sulu Ah Young, alongside her husband and Co-Founder, Valuniu Fale Fitu Ah-Young, who continues to provide governance and strategic guidance. Their leadership reflects decades of service to education, children, and families, grounded in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity for a great start in their learning journey.

For Sue and Fitu, AoKids was built on the simple but powerful idea that early childhood education can shape confidence, identity, belonging, and future success. Their vision was to create a place where children feel safe, valued, culturally connected, and empowered to thrive from the very beginning.

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 community.

AoKids carries the legacy of those who came before, the founding mamas, families, and leaders who created spaces for children when those spaces did not yet exist. With that legacy comes a responsibility to honour the past while continuing to build for the future.

A responsibility to uphold the values this work was founded on, strengthen relationships with whānau and community, and ensure every child is welcomed, supported, and nurtured.

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