BestStart Hei Hei is an early childhood education centre in Hornby, Christchurch, located next to Hornby Primary School and within walking distance of the Matatiki Hornby Centre. Established in November 2007 (originally as ABC Hei Hei before becoming BestStart Hei Hei), the centre operates across four classrooms and is guided by the vision "Growing Together with Aroha" (Tupu tahi ana me to aroha). The centre's philosophy is rooted in Whanaungatanga (Relationships), Manakitanga (Respect), Wananga (Communication) and Taonga Tuku Iho (Treasures), reflecting a commitment to working closely with whanau and tamariki in a low socioeconomic area.
The centre honours the cultural heritage of the Hornby area, which sits within the traditional network of Ngāi Tahu settlements and mahinga kai, upholding the custom of kai hau kai (exchange of food and resources) through a secret garden, fruit trees and a community pantry. Hei Hei itself was named and subdivided for poultry farming after World War I, reflected in the Māori word for chicken. BestStart Hei Hei is part of BestStart, New Zealand's largest early childhood education provider, founded in 1996 by Wayne and Chloe Wright in Tauranga and now operating over 260 centres nationwide, following the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki.
Tucked next to Hornby Primary School and within walking distance of the Matatiki Hornby Centre, BestStart Hei Hei is more than a childcare centre — it describes itself as a vibrant community dedicated to the growth and wellbeing of every child who walks through its doors. Its guiding vision, "Growing Together with Aroha" (Tupu tahi ana me to aroha), shapes everything from daily interactions to the design of the learning environment across the centre's four classrooms.
BestStart Hei Hei operates in a low socioeconomic area, and its approach reflects a clear understanding of what that means for families in the community. The centre's philosophy draws on four principles: Whanaungatanga (Relationships), Manakitanga (Respect), Wananga (Communication) and Taonga Tuku Iho (Treasures). Rather than treating these as abstract values, the team works directly with whanau and tamariki, using the centre's resources to build what they describe as a genuine home away from home — a place where children are encouraged to become lifelong learners.
The centre also takes seriously its place within the broader history of the Hornby area, which sits within the traditional network of Ngāi Tahu settlements and mahinga kai. This connection is expressed through the custom of kai hau kai — the exchange of food and resources — which the centre upholds through a secret garden, fruit trees and a community pantry, teaching children the value of giving back to others from an early age. Even the name Hei Hei carries history: following World War I, the area was named and subdivided for poultry farming, drawing on the Māori word for chicken. Since its establishment in November 2007 as ABC Hei Hei, the centre has grown and evolved into what is now BestStart Hei Hei, continuing to serve the local community.
BestStart Hei Hei offers fresh, healthy, nutritious snacks throughout the day, and has been recognised with a Silver Healthy Heart Award for its approach to nutrition. Families with children aged 3 to 5 can access 20 hours of free early childhood education, with WINZ subsidies available where needed. The centre also runs a Get Set for School programme to help prepare older children for the transition into primary school, alongside regular excursions that take learning beyond the classroom walls.
Parents consistently point to the warmth of the staff as a defining feature of the centre. One parent described the "great warm family feel" of the place, praising the different age-based rooms. Another recounted how, after feeling uneasy at a different preschool, a last-minute visit to BestStart Hei Hei immediately felt like the right fit — with teachers described as warm and welcoming, and noticeable growth in her children's confidence soon after enrolling. A third parent reflected on the lasting impact the team had on her daughter's development, describing the support as "unforgettable."
BestStart Hei Hei is one of over 260 centres operated by BestStart across New Zealand, a charitable, New Zealand-owned organisation founded in 1996 by Wayne and Chloe Wright in Tauranga. What began as a small team of four has grown into the country's largest early childhood education provider, with all centres — including Hei Hei — following the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki, which emphasises learning through play as the foundation for a child's ongoing education.
For families in Hornby and the wider Hei Hei community, the centre offers a place grounded in both cultural heritage and genuine relationship — somewhere children are encouraged to explore, grow and reach their full potential.