New Matarau kindergarten opens

Future generations of Matarau pre-schoolers received a boost yesterday as a kindergarten costing over $700,000 was opened in the rural settlement.

It comes after research from the Northland Kindergarten Association showed a need for a new kindergarten in the area.

Northland Kindergarten Association (NKA) Chief Executive Officer Richard Storey said the length of the waiting lists for surrounding kindergartens showed there was a need for the Comrie Park Kindergarten.

Mr Storey said the kindergarten was paid for by the NKA through funding gained over the last few years.

"We have 20 kindergartens already. It was through funding gained from those centres over the last couple years that we're in a position to make this development," says Mr Storey.

He says the kindergarten is being seen as a seamless introduction to Matarau School, which is directly opposite it.

Mr Storey says the kindergarten, named after the family who donated the land, hopes to bring an active and healthy lifestyle to the community.

"One of the key factors is that we want the parents when they drop their kids off to play some sport with their children," says Mr Storey.

The sons of the Comrie family were present to hand over the land and officially open the kindergarten.

Peter Comrie says his family have always been community-minded and hope the kindergarten will bring the community together again.

"That's what life is about. Dad (Bert) used to say that we've got a place here so we should let others enjoy it as well," says Mr Comrie.

Black Sticks hockey player Anna Thorpe will be the head teacher and Mr Comrie says that she is a great role model for the children to look up to.