Four-year-old Hayze is a remarkable little boy with a love for Spider-Man and an infectious energy that lights up any room he enters.

He was also born with congenital deafness that has progressed and deteriorated as he’s grown.

Hayze received cochlear implants and, with support from his mum and dad, early childhood teachers and Hearing House, he has learnt to manage these himself. Hayze has a machine called “Roger” that resembles a walkie-talkie and allows him to hear and engage with the world around him, reducing background noise and overcoming communication barriers.

A key part of Hayze’s success is the collaborative effort of his teachers who work closely with his mum and dad to ensure that his unique needs are met. Supported by Hearing House and Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Turua, Hayze has the resources and knowledge to help to develop his skills and learn alongside his peers, fostering inclusivity in education.

Thanks to a recent redevelopment initiative, the early learning centre in Turua recently had an extension and upgrade. The result is a modern, fit-for-purpose early learning centre with increased capacity to support an expanding and growing community, and children’s different learning requirements.

The second part of the development will focus on the playground and landscaping work of the centre. Barnardos is calling on everyone, businesses, trusts, philanthropists and generous New Zealanders to swing into action and help fund this essential playground and support children’s learning through play in Turua. The new playground plans to feature swings, water play, sand pits, vegetable garden and sensory paths, taking into account the diverse needs of children like Hayze.

At Barnardos Early Learning, Hayze’s differences are celebrated. Initiatives like ‘Loud Shirt Day’ are actively participated in to increase awareness of the challenges hearing-impaired children experience and to raise funds to help other children with hearing, or other challenges.

By embracing Hayze’s journey and advocating for children with hearing loss, Barnardos Early Learning and its community are expanding their knowledge and understanding of diverse needs, and ability to support those needs. This inclusive teaching creates a ripple effect of awareness, empathy, and support for whānau facing similar challenges.

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their differences, and Hayze’s experiences remind us that it’s our collective responsibility to ensure that they have access to the tools and support they need to succeed.

You can learn more about our early learning services here.

Hayze’s story with Barnardos Early Learning