Kia ora e te whānau, 

With Christmas and the holiday season just around the corner, we know many of our kōhanga are preparing to close for the break, in line with school holidays and New Year’s. To help make this transition smooth, we have a few key reminders to ensure that your kōhanga is ready for the holiday period and that payroll processes run seamlessly.
 

Important reminders for Christmas Payroll:

• Make sure leave is sorted: It’s important to update all employee records and ensure leave arrangements are correctly loaded into the Smartly payroll system. This will help avoid any issues with pay during the closedown period. 

• Seek awhi early: If you’re unsure how to process leave or manage the shutdown period, reach out to your Kaiwhakarite-a-Rohe as soon as possible. They can provide guidance and support, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own. 

• Avoid last-minute stress: Kōhanga closures often start as early as 2^nd week of December, with some reopening as late as Waitangi weekend, whānau will need to understand the impact of extended closure periods. Planning ahead and getting everything sorted early means a stress-free holiday for everyone. 

We’ll continue to send friendly reminders in the coming weeks to help keep everyone on track, so there’s no last-minute rush. Our aim is to ensure every kōhanga has a smooth holiday break and that all kaimahi are taken care of. 

If you have any pātai or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Kaiwhakarite-a-Rohe.
 

Ngā mihi nui,
 
Endorsed by the CE’s Office
Angus Hartley
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer
Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust