Tuakana/teina is an important feature of a traditional Polynesian kinship model. Historically it referred to a pairing of older and younger male siblings and cousins, and older and younger female siblings and cousins. In contemporary early childhood education (ECE) contexts, tuakana/teina describes the practice of older, more expert children caring, teaching and taking responsibility for those younger or less expert. This article explores the tuakana/teina understanding and practices that were evident in a recent Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)-funded research project, Te Whatu Kete Matauranga: Weaving Maori and Pasifika Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice in Early Childhood Education (2015-16), and highlights the importance of children learning tuakana/teina roles and responsibilities in ECE contexts. We argue that tuakana/teina is not just a culturally responsive pedagogical approach: it also supports children's agency and learning by empowering them to take responsibility, care for, and nurture others.