Saying ka kite to the treehouse and Pohutakawa.

At KEL, we farewell our hoa, kaiako and those who hold a special place in our hearts. Sometimes, that includes the special places themselves. Today, we gathered to say goodbye not to a person, but to something that has been part of our centre for many years: our much-loved treehouse, nestled beneath the wide branches of our majestic Pohutukawa.

Built under and around its leafy canopy, the treehouse has offered endless hours of adventure, imagination and joy. Tamariki climbed, slid, balanced and sometimes even bumped heads as they played and learned in this special space. The Pohutukawa was more than a backdrop. It was part of the environment, inviting us to observe the seasons as its vibrant red blossoms bloomed in summer and its seed pods and needles fell as autumn arrived. Birdlife came and went, sometimes messily, but always adding to the life and rhythm of the space.

This mighty rakau gave us shade from the sun, a strong sense of place and many opportunities for connection with nature. Sadly, the roots began to break through the matting beneath, creating a health and safety concern. With plans to lay new matting and protect the space for future use, we made the hard decision to remove both the tree and the treehouse.

Over the years, the treehouse has been home to countless stories and adventures. Tamariki have sailed the seas as pirates, climbed great mountains and imagined whole new worlds. It has been a place of bravery, creativity and joy.

To honour these special taonga, we held a proper KEL farewell. We gathered together on the treehouse steps, sang “Happy Last Day” and shared memories of all the fun, learning and friendship that took place there.

While the tree and treehouse are now gone, the memories will remain. They leave behind a legacy of laughter, discovery and play that will always be part of our journey.