Our story begins in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the Rothmans tobacco factory established a purpose-built crèche to support employees who required childcare for their preschool-aged children. This facility was the first of its kind in Hawke’s Bay.
Over time, the crèche changed ownership, first transferring from Rothmans to the Trade Union, before evolving into a community-based, not-for-profit early childhood service in 1987. Renamed the Port Ahuriri Centre, it marked a shift from a traditional “crèche” to a fully established early childhood education centre, providing high-quality care and education for preschool children in the local community. The Centre was, and continues to be, governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees made up of parent and staff representatives under the Napier Community Childcare Centre Trust Incorporated.
In the late 1970s, seeking to extend education and care to a wider community, the Board of Trustees established a second early childhood service in Napier’s central business district. Operating from the Crippled Children’s Society premises, City Children’s Centre was opened to meet the growing needs of families in the city.
One of the defining strengths of the NCCCT Centres is the longevity and depth of expertise of our qualified teaching staff. Our teachers are highly committed to delivering the highest quality education and care. With an average staff tenure of over 10 years, and long-serving team members averaging 19 years, this continuity provides stability and enriches learning outcomes for children.
As a not-for-profit organisation, all funds are reinvested into enhancing resources and learning environments across our centres, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children. In 2023, we were proud to achieve pay parity for our teachers, with full pay parity in place from July 2025. Today, with over 45 staff working across two centres and supporting more than 100 families, the NCCCT continues to be a leader in early childhood education in Hawke’s Bay.
Over time, the crèche changed ownership, first transferring from Rothmans to the Trade Union, before evolving into a community-based, not-for-profit early childhood service in 1987. Renamed the Port Ahuriri Centre, it marked a shift from a traditional “crèche” to a fully established early childhood education centre, providing high-quality care and education for preschool children in the local community. The Centre was, and continues to be, governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees made up of parent and staff representatives under the Napier Community Childcare Centre Trust Incorporated.
In the late 1970s, seeking to extend education and care to a wider community, the Board of Trustees established a second early childhood service in Napier’s central business district. Operating from the Crippled Children’s Society premises, City Children’s Centre was opened to meet the growing needs of families in the city.
One of the defining strengths of the NCCCT Centres is the longevity and depth of expertise of our qualified teaching staff. Our teachers are highly committed to delivering the highest quality education and care. With an average staff tenure of over 10 years, and long-serving team members averaging 19 years, this continuity provides stability and enriches learning outcomes for children.
As a not-for-profit organisation, all funds are reinvested into enhancing resources and learning environments across our centres, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children. In 2023, we were proud to achieve pay parity for our teachers, with full pay parity in place from July 2025. Today, with over 45 staff working across two centres and supporting more than 100 families, the NCCCT continues to be a leader in early childhood education in Hawke’s Bay.