Whanaungatanga

The kura has a continued relationship with all koohanga reo within our rohe.  Piiori (students) who start in the new entrant class are mostly koohanga reo graduates.

Currently the kura has a transition programme for koohanga reo graduates.  Each year the kura participates in sporting and cultural events alongside all other schools within our rohe.

Calendared inter-school events are planned collectively by the W.A.K.A (Waitomo Arotahi Kahui ako) which is a collective cluster of representatives from all schools within Maniapoto.  As well as our own local groups we also have had international relationships with kura from Tahiti, Japan and Canada.  These are ongoing.  Over the years we have hosted schools and educational groups.

The kura applies Ngaa Kura-a-Iwi principles of learning and teaching the ethos of the kura is strongly iwi focused and based on ngaa taonga tuku iho o Maniapoto.  The staff & Board of Trustees attend waananga and meetings with other Kura-a-Iwi and participate in Kura-a-Iwi focused kaupapa based around Governance, Management and teaching programmes.

It is an aim of our wharekura to provide an international experience for our senior piiori (students). The purpose of this experience includes research of the migration of our Tainui waka, ngaa reo taketake, culture and whakapapa connections to other indigenous iwi.

The kura has travelled with Yr. 7-8 pupils to Rarotonga, Tahiti, Raiaatea and Hawaii in the past. The first trip took place in 2003.

Recently, our senior piiori (students) were privileged to travel to Australia and spend a day at the indigenous centre.  A relationship with the Canadian indigenous whaanau has also been established and will be ongoing.