Tick for new wharekura
Year 1-13 Levin Ma¯ori school set to open in 2025
The Government has given the green light for a new Ma¯ori school to be built in Levin. The plan was for Te Pa¯ Wa¯nanga o Tuteremoana, a new wharekura for Years 1 to 13, to be open within three years.
Te Waipupu¯tanga o Punahau komiti member Milly Paea said it was the realisation of a dream after some hard mahi behind the scenes.
Paea said Muau¯poko Wha¯nau committee Te Waipupu¯tanga o Punahau had worked with the Ministry of Education, Muau¯ poko Tribal Authority, wha¯nau, nearby schools and kura, local council, and other stakeholders in the region for several years.
“This milestone is the result of intergenerational work. Our mahi is tipuna led. We
acknowledge our kuia and kauma¯tua who worked tirelessly on this kaupapa for many many years,” she said.
“Of course, many of them are no longer with us, we feel their presence and their blessings today. We embrace the dreams they held for a better future for our tamariki and our people.
“The journey is just beginning with Te Pa¯ Wa¯nanga o Tuteremoana, which is set to open in 2025. Our wha¯nau tell us they are ‘hanging out and cannot wait’.”
Muau¯ poko Tribal Authority chairman Tim Tukapua said the news of “huge” for Muau¯poko.
Muau¯ poko Tribal Authority (MTA) Inc is the mandated representative organisation for Muau¯ poko Iwi. MTA had worked closely with the wha¯nau organising committee to support them to ensure Muau¯pokotanga is preserved and protected, he said.
“We congratulate Te Waipupu¯tanga o Punahau and all the wha¯nau. This will have an incredible impact on the future of our people — iwi, hapu¯, wha¯nau and all our tamariki and rangatahi,” he said.
“Te Pa¯ Wananga o Tuteremoana recognises our history as well as the many links that bind us to, and with other peoples. This is huge for Muau¯ poko.
“To provide the environment for our mokopuna to thrive, to fulfil their unlimited potential is a long-held dream.
“Being strong, being confident and being steeped in who they are as Muau¯poko, connecting with their Muau¯ pokotanga.
“It’s just beautiful. Today is a major celebration for Muau¯poko.”
The business case process was wha¯ nau led and owned over the past five years. This would continue. The wha¯nau and MTA look forward to working with ministry officials over the coming months to appoint the establishment board to drive the process to opening in 2025, he said.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the establishment of Te Pa¯ Wa¯nanga o Tuteremoana will mean up to 250 tamariki and rangatahi can attend a Ma¯ori medium school locally, instead of having to travel to O¯ taki.
“This is a major step forward in the development of our Ma¯ori Medium Network, given around 40 per cent of a¯konga in the Horowhenua identify as Ma¯ori,” he said.
“I would like to acknowledge the Muau¯poko wha¯nau roopu for their dedication in seeking the establishment of this designated character school.”
Hipkins said Te Pa¯ Wa¯nanga o Tuteremoana will provide education at primary and secondary levels, embedded with Muau¯ pokotanga , which embraces language, history, traditions, tikanga, values, beliefs, stories, knowledge and the natural environment.
Consultation over the past year has involved 21 local schools and kura, along with Nga¯ Kura a¯ Iwi o Aotearoa and other sector bodies.
“The next steps are to investigate a site for the new wharekura and appoint an establishment board and tumuaki to oversee its development. The kura is set to open in three years time,” he said.