Te Kopae Piripono (TKP), Maori immersion early childhood education (ECE) centre, was recognised by the Ministry of Education in 2005 as a Centre of Innovation (COI), funding a 3-year practitioner research project which looked at whether "Whanau Development at Te Kopae Piripono fosters leadership across all levels of the whanau enhancing children's learning and development" (Tamati, Hond-Flavell & Korewha, 2008). The COI research identified obstacles to individual and collective whanau development and participation in TKP that can have negative consequences for the educational and life outcomes of children and their whanau (families). This study, He Tau Kawekawea, has built upon understandings derived from that earlier research. The aim of this study is to strengthen and build an evidence base around the effectiveness of the whanau development approach of TKP in overcoming barriers and motivating whanau to enter ECE and become engaged in their children's learning; thereby gaining access to growth and development opportunities that may lead to improved education and wellbeing outcomes. Former parents and whanau of TKP were interviewed about their experience before, during, and following the enrolment of their children in TKP. Expert stakeholder interviews were undertaken to provide broader historical, community, and professional perspectives. The findings of the study indicate the effectiveness of the whanau development approach for whanau Maori, including those described as hard-to-reach. Key elements of the approach are identified along with specific practices that have the potential to be employed to great effect by other ECE settings. An outcome of the project was the development and trialling of a practical tool, Te Ara Manaaki Whanau, to support and monitor whanau engagement and progress.