HIPPY: Facts & Figures

Great Potentials Foundation introduced HIPPY to New Zealand in 1992. There are over 30,000 children have benefitted since HIPPY was established in New Zealand 30 years ago.

is a home-based early education programme that empowers parents to prepare their 2–5-year-old children for success at early childhood education (ECE) and school by fostering parents’ skills and confidence as educators.

HIPPY supports families from diverse ethnic and geographic groups and those most at risk because of poverty, parents’ limited education, and social isolation.

The programme was designed specifically for whānau who live within communities experiencing disadvantage and may not feel confident in their ability to support their child’s education.

The programme builds the confidence and skills of parents to create a positive learning environment to prepare their child for school. HIPPY also offers some parents a supported pathway to employment and local community leadership.

Research has shown that HIPPY parents are more likely than their peers to seek further education opportunities for themselves. It is a true two-generation programme.

What Parents Say (2021)

95%	Parents said doing HIPPY helped prepare their child for school
90%	Parents said HIPPY helped them feel more confident supporting their child's early learning
92%	Parents said HIPPY helped develop their child's skills and knowledge
83%	Parents said HIPPY helped with their interaction with their child

Outcomes (2021)

1,992	Children participated in HIPPY during 2021
1,009	Joined HIPPY because of the coordinator
892	Joined HIPPY on their own accord
222	Children graduated from HIPPY during 2021
1,061	Children currently doing HIPPY as of 31 Dec 2021
986	New enrolments during 2021

Evaluation Reports

	HIPPY Annual Evaluation Report 2021
	HIPPY Annual Evaluation Report 2020
	HIPPY Annual Evaluation Report 2019
	HIPPY Annual Evaluation Report 2018

Published Reports

	ImpactLab GoodMeasure Report 2021
	HIPPY Book of Evidence 2020
	HIPPY Book of Evidence 2018
	Home Interaction Programmge for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) - an evaluation of the long term outcomes of the programme 2020

Latest

From Emily: My role as a Team Leader at Papakura Early Learning Centre

When Emily was looking for an opportunity to live and work overseas, she thought teaching English was her only key – but she was wrong! It was ECE teaching that opened the doors for her to move to New Zealand.
Building confidence in English unlocks opportunities

For many immigrants arriving in New Zealand whose English is limited or non-existent, life can be confusing, overwhelming – and lonely. Takanini Family Service Centre partners with Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) to host a FREE English course that MIT facilitates. Classes are held on Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Takanini Family Service Centre.
Come into the Garden Hou Mai ki te Māra

Storybooks are an important element of HIPPY. In the last few months, HIPPY NZ team has developed and published four new storybooks for two-year-olds as part of the Ministry of Education contract to deliver the “Whanau In-Home Learning programme”.
From Maddy: My role as a MATES Coordinator

Maddy began with MATES as an mentor through University of Auckland’s EDUC200 paper. Three years’ on, she is one of our Junior and Senior Coordinators for the programme and loves the energy, creativity and positive impact mentors can have on students.

FSC: Facts & Figures

Our Family Service Centres in Papakura and Takanini provide integrated health, education and social services for families, children and young people in low-income communities. Our centres support more than 1,000 individuals and 350 families every year.
MATES: Facts & Figures

MATES addresses the gap between those who do well in education and those who do not, in the context of the strong correlation between socio-economic status and educational outcomes. In 2021, 209 Mentors and Mentees participated in MATES.
Published reports

View or download published Evaluation Reports for each of Great Potentials' programmes, along with other relevant research.
Annual reports

View or download Great Potentials Foundation's Annual Reports for the last five years.

HIPPY Locations

Locations and contact details for HIPPY sites around New Zealand
Become a mentor

If you are a tertiary student in Auckland and are interested in becoming a MATES mentor, please complete the online application form...
HIPPY Programme

Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based early education programme working in communities throughout New Zealand. It empowers parents to prepare their 2 - 5 year old children for success at early childhood education (ECE) and school by fostering parents' skills and confidence as educators.
Community Funding

We are immensely grateful to all of our supporters who contribute in various ways to Great Potentials Foundation. Your generosity truly impacts the lives of children, young people and families propelling them towards brighter futures.
MATES Programme

MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) through its guided programme supports children and young people at year 8, year 13 and tertiary. Intervening at key transition points, it helps create pathways for success academically, emotionally and socially.
Contact Details

Address and contact information for Great Potentials Office and programmes
Our Mission

Working for and with children, young people and families to promote family function, relieve suffering, release potential, reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage...
Papakura Family Service Centre

Papakura Family Service Centre & Early Learning Centre has been providing valuable services to the families in Papakura since 1992. We provide an early learning centre, the HIPPY programme, social work and advocacy, counselling and Social Workers in Schools.
Takanini Family Service Centre

Family Service Centre Takanini opened its doors in January 2014. Our warm, colourful new Centre was established in partnership with the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, whose superb early learning centre provides a beautiful environment for the local children.
Family Service Centres

Our Family Service Centres assist the community with housing, food, health care, employment support and wellbeing services as well as offering early learning services, parenting programmes, playgroups, social workers in schools, counselling and more...