Community
Collaboration
Acorns to Oaks: School Readiness Programme 2025
In collaboration with:
Where every child can believe in themselves and achieve their dreams and aspirations
Hea e taea tamaiti katoa whakapono i roto ia ratou, ka tutuki o ratou moe me ngā wawata
We’re excited to be partnering with Kaitiaki Kindergartens, a non-profit group of 13 kindergartens committed to equity and inclusion.
We will be implementing an early intervention pilot programme in three Kaitiaki Kindergartens to provide specialised support to neurodivergent ākonga and their early childhood educators to enable these children to successfully transition to primary school.
We’re proud to be part of the
Ethnic Communities Innovation Fund.
We’re working with the South Asian autism community of Tāmaki Makaurau to support neurodiversity affirming parenting and family wellbeing. Our South Asian community has asked us for parent education and opportunities to connect to other families who understand their cultural background and what it’s like to parent a neurodivergent or developmentally disabled child. We are providing opportunities that will increase connection, belonging and wellbeing.
First Annual Run for Autism
“We understand the challenges faced by
families in accessing vital resources, particularly
speech therapy,” says Jordan Lee Ikitule, Founder
of ASD Dads. “Through the collaborative efforts
of ASD Dads and the Acorn Charitable Trust, we
aim to alleviate some of these burdens by raising
funds to support those in our community who
need it the most.”
Acorn is excited to announce a collaboration with the Pasifika Autism Support Group of Auckland. Acorn and PASG will be co-designing a programme to increase the accessibility of support for the approximately 65 families in their group. We are looking forward to learning about how we can better understand and support the Pasifika community of Auckland.
Acorn is pleased to be collaborating with Taonga to provide professional development for early childhood educators at the seven Taonga early childhood centres in South and West Auckland. Acorn therapists also provide direct support to neurodiverse children enrolled in Taonga centres at the request of their whānau and teachers. 100% of the children served are Māori or Pasifika.
Keith Park Accessible
Playground, Manurewa
Local Board
Winner- NZ Recreation Playground of the Year 2020
Acorn specialists teamed up with the Manurewa Local Board and other organisations to design Auckland’s first fully accessible playground. The playground was specifically designed to cater to children with disabilities and to be accessible and inclusive for all children.
Anderson Park Accessible Playground, Napier Council
Acorn specialists were recruited by the Napier Council to consult and collaborate on the design of the Anderson Park Accessible Playground in Napier. The park’s new playground will be fun and inclusive for all children and their whānau.