Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga

Ngā Kitenga Arotake Report

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 Wharekura o Rākaumangamanga ki Rāhui Pōkeka. He tino hononga ō ngā uri ki a Waikato, ki ngā tini marae o Rāhui Pōkeka, ā, ki Te Kīngitanga hoki. Kua tūhono atu te kura ki Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa, ā, e whakarato ana i te mātauranga mā ngā uri o ngā tau 1 ki te 13. Kua roa te tumuaki e mahi ana ki tōna tūranga, ā, ko tāna, ki te taha anō hoki o te rūnanga, he ārahi tonu i te kura me te whakapūmau tonu i ngā tino hononga ki ngā whānau me ngā hapori o te takiwā nei.

3 Te Aronga o te Aromātai 

He pēhea rawa te whakatinanatanga mai o ngā uri i ngā wawata o ō rātou whānau, ō rātou hapū, me ō rātou iwi?

Kei te tūmāia ngā uri ki te whakatauira mai i ngā wawata o ō rātou whānau, ō rātou hapū, me ō rātou iwi. 

4 Ngā Whakaaturanga 

E ako ana ngā uri ki tētahi taiao e whakatairanga ana i te ūkaipōtanga mō ngā uri. E whakapūmau ana te marau ā-kura i ngā hononga ā-whakapapa o ngā uri ki Te Kīngitanga, me ngā kawa, ngā tikanga hoki o Waikato. He kaha, he mārama hoki ngā hononga ki waenga i te kura me ngā marae pā tata, tae atu hoki ki ngā mātāpono o Waikato, o Tainui, me Te Kīngitanga e pou here ana i te katoa o ngā whakaakoranga me ngā akoranga. He tino matatau ngā kaiako ki te whakapuaki i ngā hōtaka e pā ana ki te hītori me ngā tikanga e whai pānga nui ana ki te tuakiri o ngā uri. Ka whakatinana rātou i aua tūāhuatanga i roto i te tangongitanga o ngā kaupapa o te marau, ki tua atu hoki, mā roto mai i te kura, te hapori whānui, me ngā marae. Kua taunga ngā uri ki roto i te tini o ngā horopaki. Ka kawe atu rātou i ngā tūranga me ngā haepapa ā-tikanga nei mā te ngākau titikaha me te mauritau. Ka rere māoriori, e whakapuaki tōtikatia ana hoki ngā karakia, ngā mōteatea, me te mita o Waikato, tae atu hoki ki ngā herenga kōrero e pā ana ki Te Kīngitanga. Ka tū ngā uri tokomaha hei kaikōrero, hei kaiwaiata, hei kaikaranga, hei kaitautoko i runga i ō rātou marae. He tokomaha hoki ngā uri e whai wāhi atu ana ki ngā hākinakina me ētahi atu kaupapa e kōkirihia ana e te hapori, ā, he pai tā rātou whakawhanaunga ki ētahi atu. Ka whai wāhi mātātoa, ka noho ngākau titikaha hoki ngā uri hei ākonga, ā, ka hāpai rātou i tō rātou hapori mā ngā huarahi maha. 

E tohu ana Te Taumata Mātauranga ā-Motu kua Taea mō te tau 2024 i te 83% o ngā uri o te Tau 11 e whakatutuki ana i te Taumata 1, ā, kei runga ake tēnei i ngā putanga ā-motu o te 45.9% mō te Taumata 1. Mō ngā uri o te Tau 12, e 88% i whakatutuki i te Taumata 2, ā, kei runga ake anō tēnā i ngā putanga ā-motu o te 73.6% mō te Taumata 2. Ko ngā putanga mō ngā uri o te Tau 13 e tohu ana i te 75% o rātou i whakatutuki i te Taumata 3 me te 65% o rātou i whiwhi i te Tiwhikete Whakauru Whare Wānanga. Kei te tino eke angitu ngā uri o te wharekura i roto i te mātauranga. 

Kei te mātātoa te hāpai me te whakakanohi o te Rūnanga (arā, Te Poumarumaru) me ngā kaiārahi o te kura i ngā uri, ngā whānau, me te kura. Kua tino pou herea te tauākī taketake me te tirohanga a te kura ki te pūmautanga ki te iwi me Te Kīngitanga, ā, e whakatairanga ana, e hapahapai ana hoki i te eke angitu o te uri mā tōna whakapeto ngoi me tōna ngākau nuitanga. Kei te mātātoa te ārahitanga o te kura ki te whakatū me te whakapūmau i ngā hononga e whai hua ana ki te kura me te hapori whānui. He kaiwhakatakoto whakakitenga te tumuaki, ā, ka kitea te tūturutanga me te hōhonutanga o tōna manaaki i ngā kaimahi, i te whānau o te kura, me ngā uri. Ka whakapeto ngoi ia ki te rapu i ngā rongoā e hāpai ai i te oranga ā-mātauranga, ā-tangata, ā-ōhanga hoki o te hapori. He tino hononga ō te Rūnanga ki te hapori, ā, kei te tautōhito rātou ki te whakarato i ngā putanga mātauranga e wawatatia ana e te whānau o te kura me te hapori whānui. E tū ana ngā ākonga o mua o te kura ki ngā tūranga ārahi matua i te Rūnanga. Kei a rātou te tangongitanga o ngā pūkenga me te tautōhito i roto i aua tūranga. Ka kitea ki te Rūnanga tō rātou tino whakaute mō te tumuaki, ā, e tohua ana ki te papai me te tōpūtanga o ngā hononga mahi. Ka kitea te kaha o tō rātou mana motuhake ki tā rātou aronga rautaki me ā rātou whakataunga. E puāwai ana ngā uri hei kaiārahi whai pūkenga, hei kaiārahi pakari hoki mō meāke nei. 

Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake

I tautuhia e te kura, ko te aromātai o roto tētahi wāhanga hei whakapai ake. E whakakoia ana, e whai pānga ana hoki te aromātai nei ki taua wāhanga hei aronga, ā, e miramira ana i te whakahirahiratanga ki te whakapakari ake i ngā whakaritenga aromatawai ā-kura. I tēnei wā, kāhore i te tino pakari te aromatawai, te whakaemi, me te aroturukitanga o te ahu whakamua me ngā whakatutukitanga a ngā uri i te kura teina. Ka whakatairangatia ngā putanga ki ngā uri i te wā kua whakahāngaitia te pūtaketanga o ngā mahi aromatawai ki ngā whakaritenga. 

Me titiro wawe ki te whakahaeretanga o ngā pūmanawa tāngata. Kāhore anō kia whakatutukihia ngā takohanga i raro i te kaupapa here mō te ārai tamariki, inarā, i ērā e hāngai ana ki te haere tonutanga o ngā mahi arowhai ā-pirihimana, arowhai haumaru hoki o ngā kaimahi kei tūranga kē atu i te whakaako. Ko te whakapaitanga ake o ngā whakaritenga pūmanawa tāngata ka whakatairanga anō hoki i te taiao e noho haumaru ā-tinana ana, ā-whatumanawa ana hoki mō ngā uri. 

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. 

Hei whakatutuki i ā rātou herenga ā-ture, me tahuri rātou ki te:

• āta whakatinana i ngā whakaritenga e tika ana mō te whakahaeretanga o ngā pūmanawa tāngata, tae atu ki:
  (a) te whakatutukitanga o te arowhai a ngā pirihimana i ngā kaimahi i mua i te tīmatanga o te tangata ki te mahi ki te kura; me
  (b) te whai whakaaro ki ngā mōhiohio i te arowhai a ngā pirihimana, hei āta tātari ina āe rānei, kāhore rānei he tangata ka whakamōrearea pea i te haumaru o ngā tamariki ina mahi ia ki te kura

[Education and Training Amendment Act 2023, Children’s Act 2014]

6 Te Taunakitanga

E taunaki ana Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga kia mahi te Rūnanga me te tumuaki ki te whakatutuki i ngā wāhanga i tautuhia ai hei whakapai ake tonu, hei hāpai i ngā putanga e whai hua ana ki ngā uri. 

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

8 Whiringa-ā-nuku 2025

7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te Kura

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 

Te Wharekura o Rākaumangamanga is located in Huntly. Uri have strong connections to Waikato, to the many marae of Huntly, and the Kīngitanga movement. The kura is affiliated with Ngā Kura ā-Iwi o Aotearoa and provides education for uri from Years 1 to 13. The longstanding tumuaki, alongside the rūnanga, continues to lead the kura and maintain strong connections with the local whānau and communities.

3 Evaluation Focus

How well do uri demonstrate the aspirations of their whānau, hapū and iwi?

Uri confidently exemplify the aspirations of their whānau, hapū, and iwi.

4 Findings

Uri learn in an environment that promotes uri ūkaipōtanga. The marau ā-kura reinforces uri whakapapa links to the Kīngitanga, as well as the kawa and tikanga of Waikato. Strong and coherent connections are made between the kura, the surrounding marae, and the principles of Waikato, Tainui, and the Kīngitanga, which underpin all teaching and learning. Kaiako are highly skilled to deliver programmes based on history and traditions relevant to uri identity. They exemplify these in a range of curricular and extracurricular activities and events, both within the kura, in the wider community, and marae. Uri are comfortable within a range of contexts. They perform tikanga roles and responsibilities with confidence and ease. Waikato karakia, mōteatea, dialect, and references to Kīngitanga flow naturally and are used appropriately. Many uri stand as kaikōrero, kaiwaiata, and kaikaranga on their marae, or in supporting roles. A number of uri also participate in sports and various other community-led initiatives, where they continue to build positive connections. Uri are actively engaged and confident learners who contribute in multiple ways to their community.

The 2024 National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) indicate that 83% of Year 11 uri achieved Level 1 which is above the National results for Level 1 at 45.9%. For uri in Year 12, 88% achieved Level 2, which is above the National results for Level 2 at 73.6%. The results recorded for uri in Year 13 showed that 75% achieved Level 3 and 65% attained University Entrance. Uri in the wharekura are experiencing strong academic success. 

The Rūnanga (Poumarumaru) and kura leaders actively serve and represent uri, whānau, and the kura. The kura mission and vision, strongly underpinned by a commitment to the iwi and to the Kīngitanga, promote and advocate for uri to have self-deliverance through self-endeavour and commitment. The kura leadership is proactive in establishing and maintaining partnerships that benefit the kura and wider community. The tumuaki is a visionary who displays a genuine and deep care for the kaimahi, the kura whānau, and uri. He is relentless in seeking solutions to improving the educational, social, and economic wellbeing of the community. The Rūnanga are deeply connected to the community and are experienced in providing for the educational outcomes desired by the kura whānau and wider community. Key leadership positions within the Rūnanga are held by past students of the kura. They possess a variety of relevant experiences and expertise in their roles. The Rūnanga collective shows a high level of respect for the tumuaki, which is evidenced in the positive and collaborative working relationships. They show a high level of autonomy in their strategic direction and decision-making. Uri are emerging as capable and strong future leaders. 

Key Next Steps

The kura identified internal evaluation as an area for further improvement. This evaluation affirms the need and aligns with this focus area, highlighting the importance of strengthening school-wide assessment practices. Currently, assessing, collating, and monitoring uri progress and achievement in the kura tēina lacks rigour. Outcomes for uri are enhanced when assessment practices are fit for purpose. 

Human resource management requires urgent attention. Obligations under the Child Protection Policy have not been met, specifically relating to the ongoing police vetting and safety checking of non-teaching staff. Improved human resource practices promote a physically and emotionally safe environment for uri. 

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.

Actions for Compliance 

To meet compliance requirements, they must: 

• ensure suitable human resource management practices are implemented, including: 
  (a) obtaining a Police vet before a person starts work at the school and,  
  (b) considering the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a risk to the safety of children if the person were to carry out work at the school.
  [Education and Training Amendment Act 2023, Children’s Act 2014] 

6 Recommendation

ERO recommends that the Rūnanga and tumuaki work to address the areas identified for further improvement to contribute to positive outcomes for uri. 

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

8 October 2025

7 Information about the Kura