Evaluation of Taonga mō ngā Tamariki

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki is an intergenerational intervention designed to foster positive whānau-child interactions, provide access to books in home and heart languages and grow children’s enjoyment of reading.

Introduction/Whakataki

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki is delivered by the not-for-profit Storytime Foundation to whānau in the care or under the management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa |Department of Corrections. It is based on the Early Reading Together® and Reading Together® Te Pānui Ngātahi programmes.

When coupled with a programme of child-centric visiting the intervention deepens whānau connections in a positive way, decreases stress for children, and creates the conditions to improve educational and wellbeing outcomes. The international evidence is that such interventions reduce recidivism.

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki: Evaluation 2021


‘Corrections staff and programme participants interviewed said Taonga mō ngā Tamariki is one of the most successful programmes the Department of Corrections offers. It is making a difference.’

Woodley, A. (2021).
Storytime Foundation evaluation: Taonga mō ngā Tamariki.
Wellington: Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education.

Read the evaluation of the Storytime Foundation Taonga mō ngā Tamariki programme:

Find out more

Child-Centric Visiting

Related evidence

Reading Together® Te Pānui Ngātahi in school-whānau partnerships