Taonga mō ngā Tamariki (Treasures for our Children)
This programme extends Storytime Foundation’s reach to parents under the care or management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections who have children aged 0-12 years.
The Taonga mō ngā Tamariki programme shares with parents and caregivers the benefits of reading, storytelling, singing and playing with children. It gives whānau access to a choice of books and resources tailored to their languages and interests, and that support their culture and identity.
It provides them with the skills, confidence, and encouragement to play with and read to their tamariki.
It is argued that building these skills will lead to parents and caregivers enjoying time reading with their children, which serves to strengthen the attachment and connection between children and their parents, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism.
Ultimately, the evidence suggests that these conditions support and positively impact the wellbeing of parents and tamariki, including generating educational benefits, and that these lasting effects can help disrupt the cycle of offending.
Taonga mō ngā Tamariki in action
Taonga mō ngā Tamariki(TMNT) is based on an adaptation of the Early Reading Together/Reading Together Te Pānui Ngātahi programmes and combines books, games and resources with workshops.
It is designed to inform and foster positive whānau-tamariki relationships and is delivered to parents currently under the care or management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections. TMNT is delivered nationwide both in secure Corrections facilities as well as Community Corrections facilities.
Taonga mō ngā Tamariki – research and results
TMNT Pilot for Young Parents in Teen Parent Units – Programme Evaluation – July 2026
TMNT Evaluation Overview March 2026
TMNT Report from the Storytime Annual Report 2025
Storytime Foundation Evaluation – TMNT
An evaluative report on the impacts and outcomes of the Taonga mō ngā Tamariki programme from 2017 to March 2021.
Click here for a summary sheet of the report
Theory of Change
A flow-chart illustrating the theory of change at the heart of Taonga mō ngā Tamariki.
See the chart here
Taonga mō ngā Tamariki – In Our Words
An illustrated overview of participant feedback in the Taonga mō ngā Tamariki programme.
See the feedback here
Cost Benefit Analysis
An illustrated overview of the cost-benefit analysis of Taonga mō ngā Tamariki.
See the chart here