The Y Gisborne

07/10/2026

Aww Koka Jonnie ❤️❤️❤️ thank you for everything you do for whãnau and tamariki

Here at Y Tamariki, every tamaiti is encouraged to be proud of who they are, where they come from and all they can become. 💛

Helping nurture that pride are kaiako like Jonette Karaka (Koka Jonnie), who joined us in 2017 and works across all age groups.

Ko Whetumatarau te maunga
Ko Awatere te awa
Ko Awatere te marae
Ko Te Whānau a Hinerupe te hapū
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Koka Jonnie ahau

Koka Jonnie gained her early childhood teaching qualification through Te Rito Maioha and loves watching tamariki and their whānau grow.

“Seeing babies and tamariki start with us, grow into strong personalities and head off to kura is just awesome,” she says.

“Having them come up to me in the community and reconnect is also a special feeling.

“We have an awesome team here at Y Tamariki, which makes this place what it is.”

Thank you, Koka Jonnie, for the care and encouragement you bring to our tamariki every day! 🌱

05/10/2026

Did you know the Y Gisborne has a school lunch service delivering more than 1,000 lunches every day to local primary schools? 🥪💛

Introducing Y Kai!

Hear what Linda Savage, Principal of Te Hapara School has to say about our lunches and take a peek behind the scenes at the team preparing, packing and delivering school lunches across our community.

A big shout-out to our Y Kai crew for the care and hard work that goes into every day. 👏

28/09/2026

With immense sadness, the Y Gisborne recognises the untimely and unexpected passing of Mr. Hayden Keast.

Hayden was a director on the Y Gisborne Board for four years from 2020 to 2024.

His contribution to the Y and to other community organisations and schools in Gisborne has been significant and his presence will be greatly missed.
Thank you for your service and your community spirit, rest in peace Hayden.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Arohanui,
The Board and Staff of the Y Gisborne.

24/09/2026

We're proud to offer two early learning centres as part of the Y Gisborne. Y Kids based on Roebuck Road and Y Tamariki on Wainui Road, Kaiti are such a special places for tamariki to grow, learn and make friends for life. Listen to what parents have to say about Y Kids! Gisborne

23/09/2026

💚 This is us. That’s Y.

From our littlest tamariki taking their first steps in learning, to young people, whānau, gym members and older members of our community — the Y Gisborne is for everyone.

Early childhood education. After-school and holiday programmes. Fitness and wellbeing. Safeguarding our tamariki. Community programmes. Sport. More than 1,400 school lunches every day.

For 146 years, we’ve been part of Tairāwhiti — supporting people, bringing communities together and helping people of all ages thrive.

We’re a not-for-profit, and everything we do comes back to one thing: strong kids, strong whānau, strong communities.

Take a look at what we do. 👇

That’s Y. 💚

21/09/2026

🎉 146 years of supporting Tairāwhiti. That’s Y!

Last week, more than 85 Y Gisborne staff and Board members came together to celebrate an incredible milestone — 146 years of serving our community.

From our beginnings as the YMCA to the Y of today, a lot has changed. Today, we support people across Tairāwhiti through health and wellbeing, early childhood education, youth programmes, school lunches, sport and community activities.

What hasn’t changed is what sits at the heart of the Y — strong kids, strong whānau and strong communities.

A huge thank you to Morehu Pewhairangi and Horouta Wānanga for their outstanding performance and for blessing our taonga, making the evening even more special.

To our staff, our Board, everyone who has been part of the Y over the years, and the wider Tairāwhiti community — thank you for being part of our story. 💚

146 years strong — and looking forward to what comes next. That’s Y.

08/07/2026

🌟 We're delighted to officially welcome Charlene Felgischer as the new Centre Manager of Y Kids Early Learning Centre.

Charlene brings a wealth of experience in early childhood education and is already a familiar face within the Y whānau. During her time at Y Tamariki, she has built a reputation for creating nurturing, welcoming environments where tamariki feel safe, valued and confident to learn, grow and explore.

Charlene is excited to begin this new chapter, leading the dedicated Y Kids team while continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

"I'm excited to begin a new chapter here at Y Kids, supporting this dedicated team of educators, fostering meaningful learning experiences, and making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

"Working with young children has always been more than a career for me – it's something I genuinely love.

"I look forward to the journey ahead and all the opportunities it will bring."

💙

23/06/2026

The Y Gisborne is delighted to welcome Dallas Te Hau (Ngāti Porou, Te Whanau o Aotaki me Te Whanau a Tuwhakairiora) as the new Centre Manager for its flagship bilingual early learning centre, Y Tamariki.



Dallas brings extensive experience in leadership roles across community services and emergency management.



“The values here really align with my own — atawhaitia (caring), whakanui te tangata (respect), te whakapono (honesty), and whakawhanaungatanga (relationships),” she said.



“I’m really enjoying my first few weeks here. The team is incredibly passionate about what they do, and you can see the positive impact they have on tamariki and their whānau every day.”



A proud mother of four and grandmother to 12 mokopuna, Dallas says supporting children and families has always been at the heart of her work.



“I feel privileged to work alongside whānau and I’m committed to creating meaningful and lasting outcomes for tamariki, their families and our wider community.”



Dallas is equally passionate about empowering her kaimahi and sees it as a privilege to be in a position where she can support and guide others.



She is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive environment where kaimahi feel valued, inspired and equipped to be their best — ensuring tamariki receive the care, encouragement and opportunities they need to thrive.

30/04/2026

Looking for a nurturing and welcoming place for your tamariki?

Our beautiful bilingual ECE centre has spaces available, and we’d love to welcome new whānau into our Y Tamariki community.

Come and experience what makes us special — vibrant learning spaces, caring and passionate kaiako, and a centre that truly values whānau connection and support.

If you’re exploring childcare options, we invite you to come in, have a kōrero, and see how your child can thrive with us.

YMCA Gisborne Y Tamariki