Remembering Together: ANZAC Day 2026

Across Barnardos Early Learning centres throughout Aotearoa, tamariki took part in meaningful, age appropriate experiences to acknowledge ANZAC Day. While each centre explored this important day in their own way, the focus remained the same. Remembering others, showing respect, and understanding the values of kindness, bravery, and caring for one another.

At Wellington Central, tamariki had the opportunity to visit their local memorial park to acknowledge ANZAC Day in a very special way. They met service members from the Army and Navy, seeing their uniforms up close and even trying on hats. Tamariki were curious and engaged, asking questions and noticing the equipment used to help keep people safe.

Together, they offered a wreath they had made, taking a quiet moment to remember and say thank you. This experience created meaningful opportunities for kōrero, as tamariki shared their thoughts, asked questions, and made connections between what they had learned and what they were seeing in the world around them. It was a powerful way to support empathy, respect, and real world understanding.

At our Clendon Early Learning Centre, tamariki explored ANZAC Day through weaving and wreath making. As they created together, they shared stories and began to understand the meaning of remembrance in a way that was meaningful to them. These experiences supported problem solving, creativity, and gave tamariki space to express their thoughts and feelings.

Porirua tamariki also engaged in hands on learning, creating poppy wreaths and medals, and preparing to make ANZAC biscuits together. Through these creative and sensory experiences, tamariki explored the traditions of ANZAC Day while building fine motor skills and learning to work alongside one another.

In Manurewa and Māngere, tamariki expressed their understanding through painting poppies and learning about why ANZAC Day is important. These simple experiences opened up opportunities for kōrero around remembrance, helping tamariki connect with the meaning behind the day.

Across our centres, and many others across the motu, tamariki marked ANZAC Day through art, storytelling, baking, and shared moments of reflection. These experiences are not about teaching history in a formal sense, but about nurturing understanding in a way that is gentle, respectful, and meaningful for young children.

Through these moments, tamariki begin to learn about caring for others, showing gratitude, and the importance of coming together as a community. These are values that sit at the heart of who we are at Barnardos Early Learning.

We will remember.