Te Kōhanga Reo: Building and contents insurance tips and reminders

01 Apr 2026

“Mā te tangata te whare e hanga, mā te whare e hanga i te tangata”

Kia ora e te whānau,

As we move from summer into autumn, now is a smart time to get your kōhanga ready for winter. With the wild weather we have seen around the motu recently, a few simple checks now can help prevent damage later and make things easier for kaimahi and whānau through the colder months.

Check your insurance is up to date

A quick annual review can save your kōhanga money and avoid confusion if you ever need to make a claim.

Check you are not paying insurance for items, fixtures, or buildings that are no longer at your kōhanga.
If you have purchased new items, renovated, or added sheds, play equipment, or other assets, make sure they are covered.
Keep a simple inventory list, with photos of key items. A quick phone video walkthrough also works well.
Store copies of insurance documents and your inventory somewhere easy to access, for example a shared kōhanga email folder or cloud drive.

Click here to access the request a new or updated Insurance form.

Autumn and winter preparation tips

These small maintenance jobs can help reduce leaks, dampness, slips and storm damage:

Clear gutters, downpipes, and drains, especially where leaves collect
Check the roof for loose tiles, flashing issues and any areas prone to leaks
Look for early signs of dampness, mould, mildew, or musty smells and act early with ventilation and cleaning
Check weatherboards, paint, and sealant around windows and doors and repair gaps before the rain sets in
Trim back overhanging branches, and remove dead branches that could come down in a storm
Check paths, ramps, and outdoor play areas for slippery build up, algae, or loose edging and give them a clean now
Tie down, store, or secure outdoor items, including shade structures, loose furniture and play equipment parts before storms
Test heaters and dehumidifiers before they are needed every day, and check that they are safe and working well.

A simple whakaaro as you do the checks, if the rain arrived tonight, what would we wish we had done today?

If you need to make a claim

If something happens, please let us know as soon as you can. Sending the claim form early helps the Insurance team support you faster.

Complete the claim form and send it within 24 hours of the incident where possible.
Take clear photos straight away, and keep any damaged items until you have been advised what to do next.

Click here to access the Insurance claim form

Email completed claim forms to: [email protected]

Request an insurance refund

If your kōhanga has been overcharged, or needs to recover funds for insurance payments that are no longer applicable, you can request a refund using the link below:

Click here to access the request an Insurance refund form

Any pātai, please email: [email protected]

Noho ora mai i roto i ngā manaakitanga o te wā.

Endorsed by the CE's Office
Angus Hartley
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer
Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust