Whangara School

The roll ERO recorded, and when

ERO writes a roll into each report it publishes: a count taken for that report, on the day shown, by the review team that was there. The Ministry of Education’s current roll for this school is 85 — the figure at the top of this page, and the one to use for how big the school is now. These are a different measurement by a different body, so they will rarely agree, and a difference between them is not a change in the school.

1. March 2025

   94

   Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 30 June 2025

2. November 2018

   80

   Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 20 December 2018

3. March 2015

   69

   Counted while ERO’s review team was at the school. Education Review Office, report of 5 June 2015

We draw no line between these. Each was counted for its own report, years apart, by a different review team, and a roll moves between reviews for reasons none of these figures record — so the difference between any two of them measures nothing.

What ERO wrote in its latest report

This is ERO’s report of 30 June 2025 — “Ngā Kitenga Arotake Report” — section by section, under ERO’s own headings, in ERO’s own order. Nothing is summarised, shortened or reordered.

ERO wrote this report in te reo Māori and in English. Both are here as ERO published them, in ERO’s order, untranslated.

1 He Kupu Arataki

Kua mahi ngātahi Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, ngā whānau, ngā kaiārahi, ngā kaimahi me ngā hapori ki te whakawhanake i ngā tirohanga aromātai e whai wāhi nui ai ki te hāpai i te kawenga takohanga me te whakapaitanga, ki te tautuhi i te ahu whakamua, ā, ki te whakapakari ake hoki i te āheinga ki te aromātai. E hāngai ana tēnei pūrongo ki ā rātou pūnaha, ki ā rātou whakaritenga, me ā rātou mahi whakahaere. Ka whakarato ngā pūrongo a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga i ngā mōhiohio mātuatua mā ngā whānau, mā ngā hapū, me ngā iwi.

2 Te Horopaki

E tū ana Te Kura o Whāngārā ki te wāhi o Whāngārā, ki te rohe o te iwi o Ngāti Konohi. Nō nā noa nei te kura i tūhono ai ki Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa. Koia nei te arotake tuatahi a Te Uepū ā-Motu i te kura. E whakarato ana te kura i te mātauranga ki ngā uri o ngā tau 1 ki te 8. I tēnei wā e whakawhiti ana te kura, mai i te mātauranga reo rua ki te mātauranga rumaki reo Māori (Taumata 1). Kua whakatakotohia tētahi rautaki rumaki reo Māori o ngā taumata maha, hei hāpai i te tangongitanga o ngā matea reo o ngā uri. Kua roa nei te tumuaki e mahi ana ki te kura, ā, i tēnei wā e whai akoranga ana ia, ā, kua tū tētahi o ngā kaimahi tautōhito ki te tūranga o te tumuaki mō te wā tuatahi. Tokowhā ngā kopounga ki te rōpū whakaako i tēnei tau, ko tētahi he kaiako hou, ā, ko tētahi he mātanga tautōhito e pupuri ana i te Tūranga Whakaako Whai-herenga.

He pēhea rawa te whakaatu mai a ngā uri i tā rātou whai tukuihotanga me tā rātou whakaaweawe?

E whakawhanake ana ngā uri i te tino ūkaipōtanga, ā, e whakahōhonu ana i ō rātou hononga ki te reo me ngā tikanga Māori mā ngā wheako ako e ahu mai ana i te hōhonutanga o te ahurea.

4 Ngā Whakaaturanga

E whanake ana ngā uri hei ākonga ngākau titikaha e tū pakari ana i roto i te Ngāti Konohitanga. E whakarato ana a Paikea Ariki i te ārahitanga whakaaweawe mō te tikanga ako kaupapa Māori, mō ngā tūmanako teitei, mā ngā hononga ako whakaute, tauutuutu hoki. E kapo atu ana te marau ā-kura i ngā paki ahurea me ngā hītori o Ngāti Konohi. Ka whakarato ki ngā uri ngā whai wāhitanga maha ki te tūhura me te whai māramatanga ki ngā kōrero tuku iho, ā, ka taea e rātou te āta whakapuaki atu ngā paki kōrero, me te tūhonohono ki ētahi atu. Ka ārahi aua kōrero tuku iho i ngā kaiārahi, ngā kaimahi, me te whānau o te kura ki te whakatutuki i tā rātou tirohanga. E poipoia ana te whakawhanaketanga torowhānui o ngā uri mā te ahurea o te manaakitanga, te aroha, me te whanaungatanga. He ngākau titikaha ō ngā uri ki tō rātou tuakiri, ā, he tino aronga ō rātou ki tō rātou tūrangawaewae.

E ū ana ngā kaiako ki te poipoi i te mātauranga o te kounga kairangi mā roto mai i te hapori ako e hāpai ana i te mahi ngātahi me te kotahitanga. E rumakina ana ngā uri katoa ki ngā akoranga e whai pūtake ana, e ahu mai ana i te ahurea, ā, e kōkirihia ana mā te whai i te hiranga. E tino whakamanahia ana te mātauranga Māori me ngā uara Māori, ā, kua āta tuituia puta noa i te marautanga, kia mauritau te taiao. Kei te mārama, kei te tūhonohono ngā tūmanako e pā ana ki te whakaako me te ako, ā, kua whakatōngia puta noa i te kura whānui. Whakaaro huritao ai ki aua tūmanako i ia te wā, ā, ka whakamahinetia hei whakatairanga i ngā putanga e whai hua ake ana ki ngā uri. Kei te pakari ngā mahi aromatawai, ka whakamōhio i ngā akoranga ka whai ake me te kōkiritanga o ngā uri katoa. E tautokona ana ngā Tamariki Kauika hei whakahōhonu i ō rātou mōhiotanga me ō rātou māramatanga, kia eke rātou ki ō rātou tino pūmanawa. Kei te māoriori te hononga ki waenga i te tuakana me te taina, puta noa i te kura. Ka pupū ake te ngākau titikaha o ngā uri mā roto mai i te hōhonutanga o tō rātou taiao ako.

E tautoko ana ngā huarahi reo rua, huarahi rumaki hoki i te whakatinanatanga o ngā uri i ō rātou pūmanawa. Ki tā ngā raraunga o te kura mō te mutunga o te tau 2024 i ngā akomanga reo rua, i tata ki te katoa o ngā uri i eke ki ngā tūmanako ā-marau, ki tua atu rānei mō te pānui; ā, i pērā hoki te tino nuinga i roto i te tuhituhi, ā, i eke te tino nuinga ki te tūmanako, ki tua rānei i roto i te pāngarau. E tino tautokona ana ngā uri o aua akomanga kia angitu ai rātou i roto i te mātauranga me te reo. Tāpiri atu ki tēnā, e puāwai tonu ana ngā uri i te huarahi rumaki. E ai ki ngā raraunga mō ngā akomanga rumaki, i eke te tino nuinga o ngā uri ki ngā tūmanako ā-marau, ki tua atu rānei i roto i te pānui me te tuhituhi, ā, he rahinga nui hoki i pērā i roto i te pāngarau. E eke angitu ana ngā uri i roto i te akomanga, ā, e tupu ana te ngākau titikaha, te tuakiri, me te hononga ki te ao Māori.

I roto i te roanga o te wā kua whakatupu ngā kaiārahi i te tino ahurea kia kawe ngātahitia te angitu. He tauira ārahitanga e tohatoha ana i ngā kawenga, e aro nui ana ki te huarewa, ā, ka whakamanawa i te whai i te hiranga me te ngākau nuitanga o ngā kaimahi. He tino kaha te whanaungatanga e poipoi ana i te papai o te wāhi mahi me te āhua mahi mā ngā kaiako. Ka mahi ngātahi ngā kaiako, ā, ka hui tahi i ia te wā ki te whakamahere me te aromātai i te marautanga hei āta whakatau i te whai aronga, te whai pānga, me te hāngaitanga o ngā whakaakoranga me ngā akoranga ki ngā wawata o ngā uri me ngā whānau. E tino tautokona ana tō rātou whakawhanaketanga ngaio me tā rātou whakatutuki i ō rātou whāinga whaiaro. E whanake ana ngā uri i ngā waiaro papai me ngā pūmanawa e hāpai nui ana i a rātou ki te tū hei kaiārahi o Ngāti Konohi ā tōna wā.

Kei te mātātoa Te Poumarumaru ki te whakakanohi me te hāpai i ngā uri, ngā whānau, me te iwi i roto i tā rātou whakahaere. He kaiārahi rātou e whakautea ana, ā, ka whakatinana i te ngākau nui tahitanga ki te whakapūmau i te papai o te paetawhiti mō ngā uri katoa, mō Ngāti Konohi hoki. E āta whakapuaki ana te tirohanga me te aronga rautaki i ngā wawata o ngā whānau me te iwi. Kei ngā mema o te poari te tangongitanga o ngā wheako me ngā pūkenga e hāpai ana i ō rātou tūranga, ā, ka whakatairanga tonuhia tā rātou ārahitanga nā te whakawhanaketanga ngaio o Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa me te ārahitanga o ngā mema whakahaere kua tautōhito ake. He tūāhuatanga tēnei e poipoi ana i te tupu ngātahi o ngā mōhiotanga me ngā pūkenga, inarā mō ngā mema hou. He kaha te whakawhitiwhiti kōrero, ā, ka āta whakaarohia, ka whai mōhiotanga hoki ngā whakataunga. He tino māramatanga tō Te Poumarumaru ki tēnā e whai hua ana ki te kura, me ngā mahi hoki ka hāpai ake anō i ngā putanga ki ngā uri. Kei te whakaute, kei te taute hoki ngā hononga e pou herea ana ki te whakapapa, ki te aroha, me te manaakitanga. Ko te ako me ngā paetae a ngā uri, ko tō rātou waiora hoki, kei te pūtake o ngā mahi whakatau a te whānau.

Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake

E ahu whakamua tonu ana ngā kaiārahi o te kura ki te whakatinana i te takune rautaki a te kura, hei tūāhuatanga tonu o te whakawhiti atu ki Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa. Hei wāhanga o taua whakawhitinga, e mōhiotia ana e tika ana kia whakawhanake te hapori o te kura i te māramatanga ngātahi ki te marau ā-kura. Ko tētahi aronga matua i roto i ngā mahi kei te whai ake, ko te whakawhanake tonu me te whakapūmau tonu i te rautaki reo Māori a te kura, hei whakatinana, hei whakaū i te Taumata 1 o te rumaki puta noa i te kura. Tāpiri atu ki tēnā, nā te tokomaha o ngā kaiako e noho hou ana ki te tūranga kaiako, ki te kura rānei, he wā pai tēnei ki te patui atu ki Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa me te hapori whānui o te kura ki te whakawhanake i ngā māramatanga ngātahi ki te marau ā-kura me ngā whakaritenga whakaako, whakaritenga ako hoki e hiahiatia ana. E whai hua ana ngā uri nā ngā whakaakoranga me ngā akoranga e whakatōpū ana, e whakapūmau ana hoki i ngā uara, ngā pūkenga, me ngā mōhiotanga e whai pānga nui ana ki te hapori o Whāngārā me Ngāti Konohi.

5 Te Whakatau a Te Poumarumaru ki ngā Wāhanga Tautukunga

I mua i te aromātai, i whakatutukihia e te poari kaitiaki me te tumuaki he Tauāki Kupu Tūturu a Te Poumarumaru me tētahi Rārangi Arowhai Tātari Whaiaro. I roto i aua tuhinga i oati rātou i whāia e rātou ngā huarahi whai take hei whakatutuki i ā rātou herenga ā-ture e pā ana ki:

ngā whakahaere a te poari

te marautanga

ngā whakahaere mō te hauora, te haumaru, me te oranga tinana

ngā whakahaere o ngā kaimahi

ngā whakahaere o te pūtea

ngā whakahaere o ngā rawa.

I te wā o te aromātai, i whakamātauhia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga ngā āhuatanga i raro iho nei, i te mea he nui te pānga o ēnei ki te haumaru me te waiora o ngā ākonga:

te haumaru aronganui o ngā ākonga (tāpiri atu ki te ārai i ngā mahi whakawetiweti me ngā mahi whakaaito)

te haumaru ā-tinana o ngā ākonga

ngā rēhita a ngā kaiako

te tukanga whakatū kaimahi

te whakaunu, te aukati, te pana me te whakarerenga

te tae ā-tinana atu a ngā ākonga ki te kura

te whakatutukitanga o ngā kaupapa here o te kura i ngā tikanga o te Children's Act 2014.

6 Te Taunakitanga

E whakatau tahi ana Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga me ngā kaiārahi o te kura kia whakawhanakehia tētahi mahere mā te ārahitanga o Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa, hei kōkiri whakamua i ngā whakaritenga matua i whakaraupapahia ai ki tēnei pūrongo kia whai ake.

Tiwana Hibbs Toka ā Nuku Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services

30 Pipiri, 2025

7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te Kura

Te tūwāhi Kei Whāngārā

Te tau a te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga 2736

Te tūmomo kura He kura tuatahi (Tau 1-8)

Te tokomaha o ngā ākonga o te kura 94

Ngā hononga ā-iwi Māori 89, Pākehā 5

Ngā āhuatanga motuhake Ngā Kura ā-Iwi

Te wā i te kura te rōpū arotake Poutū-te-rangi 2025

Te wā o tēnei pūrongo 30 Pipiri 2025

Ngā pūrongo o mua a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga Arotake Mātauranga, Hakihea 2018; Arotake Mātauranga, Pipiri 2015; Arotake Mātauranga, Pipiri 2010

1 Introduction

The Education Review Office (ERO) in collaboration with whānau , leaders, kaimahi and their communities develop evaluation insights that foster accountability and improvement, identify progress and build evaluation capability. This report reflects their systems, operations and management practices. The ERO reports provide important information for whānau , hapū and iwi .

2 Context

Whangara School is in Whangarā in the tribal area of Ngāti Konohi . The kura is newly affiliated to Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi o Aotearoa (Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi ). This is the first review of the kura , by Te Uepū ā-Motu |Review and Improvement Services Māori . The kura provides education to uri from Years 1 to 8. The kura is currently transitioning from a rua reo model (bi-lingual education) to a rūmaki model (Immersion Māori Level 1), a multi-level immersion Māori strategy is in place to support the diverse language needs of uri . The long-standing tumuaki is currently on study leave and an experienced staff member has stepped into the role of tumuaki for the first time. Four appointments have been made to the teaching team this year, including a beginning teacher and a skilled specialist who holds a Tūranga Whakaako Whai-herenga |Limited Authority to Teach (LAT).

How well do uri demonstrate they are culturally autonomous and influential?

Uri are developing strong ūkaipotanga , deepening their connection to te reo and tikanga Māori through rich culturally grounded learning experiences.

4 Findings

Uri develop as confident learners who are at ease in Ngāti Konohitanga. Paikea Ariki provides inspirational guidance for kaupapa Māori pedagogy, high expectations and respectful, reciprocal learning relationships. The marau ā-kura encapsulates the cultural narratives and histories of Ngāti Konohi. Uri are provided with many opportunities to explore and unpack kōrero tuku iho and can confidently articulate the narratives and make connections to others. These narratives guide kura leaders, staff and whānau to achieve their vision. Uri holistic development is fostered in a culture of manaakitanga, aroha and whanaungatanga. Uri are confident in who they are and have a strong sense of where they are from.

Kaiako are committed to fostering a high-quality education within a collaborative and inclusive learning community. All uri are immersed in learning that is purposeful, culturally grounded, and driven by a pursuit for excellence. Mātauranga and uara Māori are highly valued and intentionally woven throughout the curriculum, creating a secure environment. Clear and cohesive teaching and learning expectations are embedded across the kura . These are continuously reflected upon and refined to promote improved outcomes for uri . Assessment practises are robust and inform next step learning and acceleration for all uri. Tamariki Kauika are supported to deepen their knowledge and understanding, enabling them to reach their full potential. Strong tuākana taina relationships are innate and permeate the kura. Uri express confidence in their rich learning environment.

The reo rua and rūmaki pathways support uri to realise their potential. The kura end of 2024 data shows almost all uri achieved at or above curriculum expectations in reading, a large majority at or above in writing and a significant majority at or above expectation in mathematics in reo rua classes. Uri in these classes are well supported in their academic and language success. In addition, uri in the rumaki pathway continue to thrive. The data shows that the large majority of uri achieved at or above curriculum expectations in pānui and tuhituhi and a significant majority at or above expectation in pāngarau in rūmaki classes. Uri are succeeding in the classroom and growing in confidence, identity and connection to te ao Māori.

Leaders, overtime, have cultivated a strong culture of collective responsibility for success. A distributive and transformational leadership model inspires a pursuit for excellence approach and commitment from kaimahi . There is a strong sense of whanaungatanga , fostering a positive work environment and conditions for kaiako. Kaiako are collaborative and meet regularly to plan and evaluate the curriculum to ensure teaching and learning remains responsive, relevant and aligned to the aspirations of uri and whānau . They are well supported to develop professionally, and to achieve their personal goals. Uri are developing positive attitudes and attributes that position them well to be future leaders of Ngāti Konohi.

The poumarumaru actively represent and serve uri, whānau and iwi in their governance role. They are respected leaders who demonstrate a shared commitment to securing a positive future for all uri and Ngāti Konohi. The vision and strategic direction clearly articulate whānau and iwi aspirations. Board members bring a diverse range of experiences and skills to their roles, and their leadership is further enhanced through Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi professional development and mentoring from more experienced governance members. This fosters the collective growth of knowledge and capability, especially for newer members. Robust conversations take place and decision making is considered and well-informed. The poumarumaru has a clear understanding of what is working well in the kura and what actions make a difference to improving outcomes for uri . Relationships are respectful, nurturing, underpinned by whakapapa, aroha and manaakitanga. Uri learning, achievement and wellbeing are at the heart of whānau decision making.

Key Next Steps

Kura leaders continue to make steady progress with implementing the kura strategic intent as part of the transition to Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi. As part of this transition, there is a recognised need for the kura community to develop a shared and collective understanding of the marau ā-kura . A key focus going forward is the continued development and embedding of the kura te reo Māori strategy, to realise and sustain Level 1 immersion schoolwide. Additionally, with many new kaiako , some new to their roles and others to the profession, it is timely to partner with Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi and the wider kura community to develop shared understandings of the marau ā-kura and desired teaching and learning practice. Uri benefit from cohesive teaching and learning that reinforces the values, skills and knowledge that is important to the Whangarā community and Ngāti Konohi.

5 Te Poumarumaru Assurance on Legal Requirements

Before the evaluation, the board of trustees and tumuaki completed the ERO Te Poumarumaru Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

board administration

curriculum

management of health, safety and welfare

personnel management

financial management

asset management.

During the evaluation, ERO checked at the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student safety and wellbeing:

emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)

physical safety of students

teacher registration

processes for appointing staff

stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions

attendance

school policies in relation to meeting the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014.

6 Recommendation

ERO and kura leaders agree that a plan be developed with the guidance of Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi to progress the key next step in this report.

Tiwana Hibbs Toka ā Nuku - Director Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services

30 June 2025

7 Information about the Kura

Location Whāngārā

Ministry of Education profile number 2736

Kura type Full Primary (Years 1-8)

Kura roll 94

Ethnic composition Māori 89, NZ European/ Pākehā 5

Special features Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi

Review team on site March 2025

Date of this report 30 June 2025

Most recent ERO report(s) Education Review, December 2018; Education Review, June 2015; Education Review June 2010

Read this report on ero.govt.nz →