Te Puna o Hiwa-i-te-rangi:
Building pride, connection and leadership through Te Ao Māori.
Now just a few months into its journey, Te Puna o Hiwa-i-te-rangi (Te Puna), has become a valued and visible part of life at our kura. Created to provide a safe, supportive space where ākonga can engage with tikanga and Māori concepts in everyday ways, steadily
“It’s great to have a space to be Māori and feel proud to be Māori in a mainstream education system. To have the ability to practise waiata, haka and mihi with like-minded students. I enjoy going to form time now.” Ākonga Olivia Retimana
Te Puna has strengthened the presence of Te Ao Māori throughout the school. We are seeing greater confidence in the use of te reo Māori, tikanga becoming more visible in events and routines, and stronger connections between ākonga, kaiako and whānau. Most importantly, many students are developing a stronger sense of belonging and tūrangawaewae within the kura.
Te Puna combines support with high expectations. Guided by manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga and pono, it encourages students to act with care, integrity and responsibility, while striving for success in their learning and leadership.
For ākonga, Te Puna strengthens identity and confidence. For kaiako, it deepens engagement with Te Ao Māori and culturally responsive practice. For our wider community, it reinforces that Māori culture sits at the heart of who we are as a kura.
“This whakatauki comes to mind, ‘Mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake nei’. Te Puna is for us and those who come after us.
We are setting up systems to provide opportunities for current students and future students to come. A common theme during the interview process for Te Puna was that many parents wanted their daughters to have this opportunity because they did not have it themselves when going through school. They wanted an opportunity for them to strengthen their cultural identity through learning more Mātauranga Māori, and it feels awesome to have a hand in supporting them through it.” Kaiako, Alicia Covacich
The foundations are now firmly in place, and the direction is clear. Te Puna strives to shape the inclusive, purposeful and culturally grounded school we are growing into.