New kura to cater for 200 in Porirua

Porirua is set to get a new Māori medium school as part of the Government’s goal to grow the number of Māori learners.

The new school in the western side of Porirua will open for a year 1-8 wharekura with a roll of 45 by 2027 but is expected to grow to 200 as secondary levels are added over subsequent years.

‘‘The establishment of Te Kākā Kura o Ngāti Toa Rangatira will over time provide a local option for up to 200 tamariki and rangatahi on the western side of the Porirua harbour,’’ Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis said.

There was ‘‘growing demand’’ for kaupapa Māori education, especially in Porirua where a third of ākonga (students) identify as Māori, he said.

As of 2022, 9575 students were enrolled in Porirua primary and secondary schools, of which 3137 were Māori, according to data from the Ministry of Education.

There was a ’’need and desire for kura to be established’’ to help local ākonga succeed in an environment that uplifts and protects iwi values, he said.

The Government wants the number of Māori leaders to grow by 30% by 2040.

‘‘Tikanga and kawa will be embedded in the curriculum and teachings of Ngāti Toa kaumatua and kuia, underpinned by the Ngāti Toa Education Strategy and Māori Education Strategy, Ka Hikitia,’’ Davis said.

It was especially relevant, providing further schooling opportunities for western Porirua, a ‘‘growth area’’ where hundreds of homes are being built. A site in the Tı¯tahi Bay area for the kura has yet to be chosen.

He said the Government had been working with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and local schools would be consulted to ensure any impact on them was mitigated.

The Porirua wharekura follows a new Feilding wharekura being announced in September.