An early learning centre at 14 Maurice Street in Papakura, run under the Great Potentials Foundation, a registered New Zealand charity founded in 1990. The Foundation's programmes include HIPPY, a free home-based early learning programme that helps parents get children aged two to five ready for school, and MATES, a mentoring programme for Year 8 and Year 13 students. Papakura and Takanini each have a Family Service Centre offering health, education and social services. The Papakura early learning centre recently finished a playground upgrade. The HIPPY programme at the Papakura site takes children aged three and four. Donations of $5 or more qualify for a tax credit from Inland Revenue.