BestStart Queenstown

We challenge our children to become adaptive, creative, resilient, and confident so that they can be adventurous and explorative just like their hometown of Queenstown!

Long ago, before the promise of gold brought Pakeha to Otago, the Maori roamed Kawarau, hunting for moa and greenstone and eels. One night, a cruel taniwha (giant) called Matau kidnapped Manata; the daughter of the local chief, carrying her away to his lair in the hills. Her father declared that any warrior who was brave enough to rescue her, could have her hand in marriage. The young men in the village were afraid, but Matakauri, bravely accepted this challenge, setting off into the hills to rescue Manata and slay the giant.

Here at BestStart Queenstown, the legend lives on, sharing its values and strengths with our brave little explorers as they journey through our classrooms.