Review 9 October 2025
LatestNgā Kitenga Arotake Report
1 He Kupu Arataki
Kua mahi ngaatahi Te Tari Arotake Maatauranga, ngaa whaanau, ngaa kaiaarahi, ngaa kaimahi me ngaa hapori ki te whakawhanake i ngaa tirohanga aromaatai e whai waahi nui ai ki te haapai i te kawenga takohanga me te whakapaitanga, ki te tautuhi i te ahu whakamua, aa, ki te whakapakari ake hoki i te aaheinga ki te aromaatai. E haangai ana teenei puurongo ki aa raatou puunaha, ki aa raatou whakaritenga, me aa raatou mahi whakahaere. Ka whakarato ngaa puurongo a Te Tari Arotake Maatauranga i ngaa moohiohio maatuatua maa ngaa whaanau, maa ngaa hapuu, me ngaa iwi.
2 Te Horopaki
‘Whakanuia ngaa tamariki, whakamaaurutia maa te aroha’
Kua roa nei Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha e whakahaerehia ana ki Waitoa. He kura noo roto i te rohe o Ngaati Hauaa, o Tainui, aa, ka tuuhono ki Te Kiingitanga. E whakarato ana te kura i te maatauranga rumaki reo Maaori moo ngaa tamariki o ngaa tau 0 ki te 13. Ka poipoia ki ngaa uara Karaitiana me ngaa uara Maori, ā, ko ngaa maataapono o Te Aho Matua toona tuuaapapa.
3 Te Aronga o te Aromātai
He peehea rawa te whakatinana mai a ngaa aakonga i te manako nui o te whaanau?
Ka whakatinana ngaa tamariki i ngaa manako nui o te whaanau o te kura, i a raatou e eke angitu ana i roto i te maatauranga.
4 Ngā Whakaaturanga
Te Ira Tangata
He kaakano i ruia mai i Rangiaatea. E kore ia e ngaro
E ako ana ngaa tamariki ki teetahi taiao e uu puumau ana ki ngaa uara, ngaa whakapono, me ngaa ariaa i tuku iho ai. Ka whai waahi atu raatou ki ngaa tikanga o ia raa e tuuhono ana i a raatou ki a Ngaati Hauaa me ngaa whakapono o Tainui. Ko te haahi Karaitiana, ko Te Aho Matua, ko oo raatou hononga anoo hoki ki Te Kiingitanga kei te tuuaapapa e pou here ana i ngaa uara me ngaa tikanga o te kura. He ngaakau titikaha oo ngaa tamariki ki te aarahi me te whai waahi atu ki ngaa karakia o ia raa, ā, ka whakaatu i too raatou tuu maaoriori, tuu maatau hoki ki te mihimihi. Ko te tangongitanga o ngaa karakia, ngaa waiata, me ngaa mooteatea e aata tuitui nei i too raatou hononga ki a Tainui. Ka kitea te kaitiakitanga me te manaakitanga i roto i aa raatou taunekeneke ki oo raatou hoa, ki ngaa pakeke, aa, ki eetahi atu hoki. Ka tuu ngaa tuaakana hei tauira, ka tautoko raatou i te aata whai waahi mai a ngaa tamariki teeina ki ngaa whakaritenga o ia raa. He hononga aa-whakapapa ki waenga i ngaa poumahi, ngaa tamariki, me ngaa whaanau, aa, he tuuaahuatanga e whakapuumau ana i te manaakitanga me te tautoko o te taiao ako e whakatairanga ana i te aroha. Ka kitea te ngaakau titikaha o ngaa tamariki maa roto mai i too raatou tuakiritanga aa-ahurea me too raatou aronga toi whenuatanga.
Te Reo
Tooku reo, tooku ohooho. Tooku reo, tooku maapihi maurea. Tooku reo, tooku whakakai maarihi
Kua rumakina ngaa tamariki ki te hoohonutanga o te reo Maaori. Ka whai waahi atu raatou ki te whaanuitanga o ngaa tuumomo wheako ako, tuumomo horopaki hoki e haapai ai i te tupu o too raatou maaramatanga ki te reo Maaori, me taa raatou whakamahi i te reo. Ko oo raatou hononga me aa raatou kawenga ki ngaa marae o Waikato me Te Kiingitanga e whakarato ana i ngaa tauira tuuturu o ngaa kiianga ake o te reo o oo raatou iwi. Ka kitea te ngaakau titikaha o ngaa tamariki ki te whakamahi me te whakahua ake i te reo Maaori maa te whakapuaki me te puurongorongo i ngaa wheako ako. Ko ngaa kaupapa peeraa i Ngaa Manu Koorero me Puu Koorero, he whai waahitanga moo ngaa tamariki ki te tuu hei kanohi moo too raatou kura ki ngaa taumata aa-rohe me ngaa taumata aa-motu. Ka āta whakaakona ngaa hanganga reo Maaori i roto i te akomanga, hei whakapakari ake i te moohiotanga ki te reo, me te whakamahinga. Ka tautokona ngaa tamariki e mau ana i te iti noa o te reo Maaori maa ngaa huarahi ako i whakahaangaitia ai moo raatou, aa, ka mahi ki te taha o teetahi kaitautoko. He puna rumaki reo Maaori hoki ki te kura, e haapai ana i te whakawhanaketanga o te reo o ngaa peepi i mua i te whakawhitinga atu ki te kura. E whakatutukihia ana ngaa wawata o ngaa whaanau kia puaawai aa raatou tamariki mokopuna i roto i te reo Maaori. E poipoia ana ngaa tamariki kia ngaakau titikaha raatou ki te koorero i te reo Maaori.
Ngaa Iwi
Te piko o te maahuri, teeraa te tupu o te raakau
E moohio ana ngaa tamariki ki too raatou tuakiri me too raatou tuurangawaewae. Ka tuu ngaakau titikaha raatou naa runga i oo raatou hononga ki te whenua me oo raatou whakapapa. Ka haapai ngaa poumahi i te whakatutukitanga o ngaa tamariki i te tangongitanga o ngaa tuuranga me ngaa kawenga i te kura me te hapori. Ka whai paanga nui ngaa tamariki ki te manaaki i ngaa manuhiri i te kura me te Koroneihana, aa, ka whakatinana i te puumautanga o te kura, te hapuu, me te iwi ki te kaupapa o Te Kiingitanga. He tino hononga oo ngaa tamariki ki too raatou tuakiri, aa, e whakamanahia ana raatou e ngaa akoranga e tohu ana i te tirohanga torowhaanui o te ao Maaori.
Te Ao
Ka puu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi
E moohio ana ngaa tamariki ki too raatou tuunga ki te ao Maaori me te ao whaanui. Ka toro atu raatou ki ngaa wheako hoohonu e whai waahi ana ki te whanake i too raatou tirohanga ki te ao. Ka tuu pakari ngaa tamariki i roto i te haka, aa, ka whai waahi atu raatou ki ngaa whakataetae kapa haka aa-takiwaa, aa-rohe, aa-motu hoki. Ka whai paanga nui ngaa kaupapa haakinakina ki te marau aa-kura, peeraa i te whutupaaoro, te riiki, te waka koopapa, me te Kii-o-rahi, aa, he whai waahitanga moo ngaa tamariki ki te whakaatu i oo raatou puukenga kaiaka me te whakakanohi i too raatou kura, oo raatou whaanau, oo raatou hapuu, me oo raatou iwi. E whiwhi ana ngaa tamariki i te tangongitanga o ngaa whai waahitanga ki te tuuhonohono ki te ao e noho nei raatou. Ka uru atu raatou ki ngaa mahinga wheako, aa, ka toro atu hoki ki ngaa whare akoranga maataamuri. Ka whakapuaki ngaa raukura me ngaa mema o te whaanau i aa raatou mahi me oo raatou maatau aa-wheako, aa, ka whakarato i ngaa tirohanga ki ngaa whai waahitanga me ngaa huarahi umanga moo meaake nei. Ka whai waahi atu ngaa tamariki o te wharekura ki ngaa akoranga o Te Whare Waananga o Raukawa, aa, i te tau 2024 raatou i whakatutuki pai ai i aa raatou pookairua maatauranga maataamuri. E whanake ana te ngaakau titikaha o ngaa tamariki ki te manaaki i te taiao, i too raatou hapori, aa, i oo raatou tuuranga hoki ki te kura, ki tua atu hoki.
Aahuatanga Ako
Tamariki waawaahi tahaa
Ko te whanaungatanga kei te puutake o ngaa kaupapa ako. E haapaitia ana te ako a ngaa tamariki maa te mahi tahi me te kotahitanga o te taiao. Kei te harikoa, kei te tau hoki too raatou aahua, aa, ka whai waahi maataatoa raatou ki aa raatou akoranga. Ka aata whakamaheretia ngaa akoranga, aa, ka mahi ngaatahi ngaa poumahi ki te whakawhanake i taa raatou tirohanga ako moo te tau. Ka whakapakari ngaa taumahi me ngaa wheako i ngaa akoranga o mua. Ka whakamahi i te Haapai Aakonga ki te tautuhi me te whakatutuki i te tangongitanga o ngaa matea ako o ngaa tamariki. Ka aro nui ngaa tamariki ki aa raatou mahi, aa, ka kitea too raatou taakare ki te whakatutuki i ngaa mahi ako ki te taha o oo rātou hoa. Ka whakahaangai ngaa poumahi i te tautoko me ngaa huarahi angitu ki ia tamaiti, aa, ka toro atu ki ngaa kaiaawhina ki te whakatairanga ake i ngaa putanga ako. Whakaemihia ai, aroturukitia ai hoki ngaa aromatawai o te kura puutake, hei aru i te ahu whakamua a ia tamaiti. E tohu ana ngaa hootuku i te nuinga o ngaa tamariki o ngaa tau 1 ki te 8 e eke ana ki ngaa taumata, ki tua atu raanei i roto i Te Reo Matatini me te Paangarau, aa, kei te ahu whakamua raatou ki ngaa taumata paetae i whakaraupapahia ai ki te tuutohinga. He whai waahitanga moo ngaa tamariki o te wharekura ki te tiimata i Te Taumata Mātauranga aa-Motu kua Taea i te tau 9. Ko te tiimata wawe i ngaa huarahi aromatawai me te whakahaangaitanga ake o te ahu whakamua ki a raatou anoo, he aronga e tautoko ana i oo raatou puukenga, oo raatou ngaakau nuitanga, me oo raatou wawata moo te pae tawhiti. Ka kitea ngaa whakatutukitanga papai ki ngaa paetae moo te reo matatini me te paangarau o Te Taumata Maatauranga aa-Motu kua Taea o te tau 2024, aa, e 66.7% o ngaa tamariki i whakatutuki i te Taumata 1, e 88.9% i whakatutuki i te Taumata 2, me te katoa o ngaa tamariki o te Taumata 3 i eke angitu. He tohu aua putanga i te whai paanga o te tautoko me te haangaitanga anoo hoki ki ngaa matea me ngaa ngaakau nuitanga o ngaa tamariki. Waihoki, kua whakatinanahia e ngaa poumahi teetahi hootaka akoranga e haere ngaatahi ai maa te reo Paakehaa, hei whakatere i te ahu whakamua o ngaa tamariki hei aata haapai ake i roto i te reo matatini me te paangarau. E eke angitu ana ngaa tamariki i roto i te maatauranga.
Whaanau Whakahaere / Te Aarahitanga
Aratakina ki te maataapuna
o te moohio, o te ora, o te maungaarongo
Ka kitea ki te kura ngaa whakaritenga whakahaere, whakaritenga aarahi hoki e ahu mai ai i te ahurea. Kua whakamoohio ngaa wawata o ngaa whaanau i te aronga rautaki o te kura. E whakatairanga ana te mahere rautaki i te hoohonutanga o te ahurea ki te taiao ako o ngaa tamariki, aa, kua pou herea ki ngaa koorero tuku iho o Ngaati Hauaa me ngaa maataapono o Te Aho Matua. Tuu ai ngaa hui aa-whaanau i ia te waa, aa, ka haapai i te whakatau ngaatahi i ngaa whakaritenga me te kawe ngaatahi hei painga moo ngaa tamariki. Ka whai waahi aa-whakatupuranga atu, aa, naa teenaa, ka aro nui, ka whakakotahi hoki te aronga rautaki, aa, ka haangai ki ngaa wawata o te hapori ako. E tino tautokona ana te whaanau o te kura e te tumuaki mauroa kua aarahi i te kura mai i te tiimatanga. E whakaaweawe ana te kawe ngaatahi i te aarahitanga i te ngaakau nuitanga o te katoa ki ngaa whakapono, ngaa uara, me te iho o te kura. E whakamanahia ana ngaa tamariki kia eke angitu ai raatou i roto i teetahi taiao ako e mau ana i te aarahitanga aa-ahurea, i te whakahaere ngaatahi e poipoi ai i te pakari o te tuakiritanga me te aronga toi whenuatanga.
Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake
I tautuhia e te kura, ko te arotake kaupapa here teetahi waahanga hei whakapai ake. Kua whakawhanakehia ngaa kaupapa here e teetahi puunaha whakahaere kaupapa here, aa, i teenei waa kei te whakahaangai i aua kaupapa here kia whai paanga ake ai ki Te Aho Matua me te kaupapa o te kura. E whakakoia ana te aromaatai nei i te noho matua o taua tukanga ki te whakarato i te aarahitanga e whai hua ana ki ngaa kaiaarahi me ngaa kaimahi o te kura, hei aata whakatau i te whakatinanatanga o ngaa whakaritenga e whakatairanga ana i te taiao e noho haumaru ana ki ngaa tamariki, aa-tinana, aa-whatumanawa hoki.
Me titiro wawe ki te whakahaeretanga o ngaa puumanawa taangata. Kaahore te katoa o ngaa moohiohio tuku mahi e haangai ana ki teenei waa tonu, tae atu hoki ki te whakatutukitanga o ngaa mahi arowhai a ngaa pirihimana. Me aro puu ngaa kaiaarahi o te kura ki te whakahou ake me te whakahaangai i ngaa mahi tuku mahi, hei whakatutuki i nga takohanga aa-ture o te kura. Ka whai hua ngaa tamariki maa te whakapaitanga ake o te whakahaere puumanawa taangata.
Me tahuri atu ki te whakapakari ake i ngaa whakaritenga e paa ana ki te aromaatai hootaka. Ahakoa ka whai waahi atu ngaa poumahi ki ngaa whakawhitinga koorero i ia te waa moo te whakaako me te ako, ko te whakawhanake i teetahi puunaha papai ake moo te puurongo i ngaa whakaaturanga aromaatai ka haapai ake i taa raatou aru i te ahu whakamua me te whakarite i ngaa whakataunga e whai moohiohio ana. Ka whakatairangatia ngaa putanga maa te whakapaitanga ake o ngaa mahi aromaatai.
5 Te Whakatau a te Poari ki ngaa Waahanga Tautukunga
I mua atu i te aromaatai i whakatutukihia e te poari me te tumuaki he Tauaaki Kupu Tuuturu a te Poari maa Te Tari Arotake Maatauranga, me teetahi Raarangi Arowhai Taatari Whaiaro. I roto i aua tuhinga i oati raatou i whaaia e raatou ngaa huarahi whai take hei whakatutuki i aa raatou herenga aa-ture e paa ana ki:
- ngaa whakahaere a te poari
- te marautanga
- ngaa whakahaere moo te hauora, te haumaru, me te oranga tinana
- ngaa whakahaere o ngaa kaimahi
- ngaa whakahaere o te puutea
- ngaa whakahaere o ngaa rawa.
I te waa o te arotake, i whakamaatauhia e Te Tari Arotake Maatauranga ngaa aahuatanga i raro iho nei, i te mea he nui te paanga o eenei ki te haumaru me te waiora o ngaa aakonga:
- te haumaru aronganui o ngaa aakonga (taapiri atu ki te aarai i ngaa mahi whakawetiweti me ngaa mahi whakaaito)
- te haumaru aa-tinana o ngaa aakonga
- te reehitatanga me te tiwhiketetanga o ngaa kaiako
- ngaa tukanga ki te whakatuu kaimahi
- te whakaunu, te aukati, te pana me te whakarerenga
- te tae aa-tinana atu a ngaa aakonga ki te kura.
Hei whakatutuki i ngaa herenga aa-ture, me tahuri raatou ki te:
- whakatinana i ngaa whakaritenga e tika ana moo te whakahaeretanga o ngaa puumanawa taangata, tae atu ki:
- te whakatutukitanga o te arowhai a ngaa pirihimana i ngaa kaimahi i mua i te tiimatanga o te tangata ki te mahi ki te kura; me
- te whai whakaaro ki ngaa moohiohio i te arowhai a ngaa pirihimana, hei aata taatari ina aae raanei, kaahore raanei he tangata ka whakamoorearea pea i te haumaru o ngaa 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 Maatauranga kia mahi ngaatahi tonu te whaanau hei aata whakatau i te whakatutukitanga o ngaa whakaritenga matua ka whai ake.
Tiwana Hibbs
Toka ā Nuku - Director
Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services
9 Whiringa-ā-nuku, 2025
7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te Kura
Te tuuwaahi Kei WaitoaTe tau a te Taahuhu o te Maatauranga 3115Te tuumomo kuraHe kura hiato, Tau 1 ki te 15 Te tokomaha o ngaa aakonga o te kura149Ngaa hononga aa-iwiMāori 100%Ngaa aahuatanga motuhakeTe Aho MatuaTe waa i te kura te roopuu arotakePipiri 2025Te waa o teenei puurongo 9 Whiringa-aa-nuku 2025Ngaa puurongo o mua aTe Tari Arotake Maatauranga Arotake Maatauranga, Pipiri 2016; Arotake Maatauranga, Hui-tanguru 2012; Arotake Maatauranga, Pipiri 2007
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
‘Whakanuia ngaa tamariki, whakamaaurutia maa te aroha’
Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha is a long standing kura situated in Waitoa. It is of Ngaati Hauaa, Tainui descent, connecting to the Kiingitanga. The kura provides Maaori immersion education for tamariki in Years 0–13 nurtured in Christian and Māori values and founded by the principles of Te Aho Matua.
3 Evaluation Focus
How well do students exemplify the manako nui of the whānau?
Tamariki exemplify the aspirations of the kura whaanau as they achieve academic success.
4 Findings
Te Ira Tangata
He kaakano i ruia mai i Rangiaatea. E kore ia e ngaro
Tamariki are learning in an environment grounded in traditional values, beliefs, and concepts. They participate in daily practices that connect them to Ngaati Hauaa and the Tainui beliefs. Haahi Karaitiana, Te Aho Matua, and their connection to the Kiingitanga form the foundations that underpin the values and tikanga of the kura. Tamariki confidently lead and participate in daily karakia, demonstrating that they are natural exponents of mihimihi. A range of karakia, waiata, and mooteatea strengthen their connection to Tainui. They display kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga in their interactions with peers, pakeke, and others. Tuaakana are role models, supporting younger tamariki to participate effectively in daily practices. Poumahi, tamariki, and whaanau are connected through whakapapa, affirming a caring and supportive learning environment that promotes aroha. Tamariki exhibit confidence in cultural identity and a sense of belonging.
Te Reo Maaori
Tooku reo, tooku ohooho. Tooku reo, tooku maapihi maurea. Tooku reo, tooku whakakai maarihi
Tamariki are immersed in a rich te reo Maaori environment. They are exposed to diverse language experiences and contexts that support the growth of their understanding and application of te reo Maaori. Their connection to, and responsibilities with, the marae of Waikato and the Kiingitanga provide authentic examples of the language idioms particular to the local iwi. Tamariki show confidence in their use and articulation of te reo Maaori through sharing and recounting learning experiences. Kaupapa such as Ngaa Manu Koorero and Puu Koorero offer opportunities for tamariki to represent their kura at both regional and national levels. Explicit reo Maaori language structures are taught in the classroom to build on language knowledge and use. Tamariki with limited reo Maaori are supported through tailored learning pathways and work alongside kaitautoko. An on-site, full immersion puna reo, supports the reo development of peepi as they transition through the kura. The aspirations that whaanau hold for their tamariki and mokopuna to thrive in te reo Maaori are being fulfilled. Tamariki are nurtured to become confident speakers of te reo Maaori.
Ngaa Iwi
Te piko o te maahuri, teeraa te tupu o te raakau
Tamariki know who they are and where they come from. They stand confidently in their connection to the land and their whakapapa. Poumahi support tamariki to carry out a range of roles and responsibilities within the kura and the hapori. Tamariki play a significant role in the manaakitanga of manuhiri both at kura and at the Koroneihana, reflecting the commitment of the kura, hapuu, and iwi to the kaupapa of the Kiingitanga. Tamariki are deeply connected to their identity, empowered through learning that reflects a holistic Maaori worldview.
Te Ao
Ka puu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi
Tamariki acknowledge their place in both the Maaori world and the wider world. They engage in a wealth of experiences that help shape their worldview. As exponents of kapa haka, tamariki participate in local, regional, and national competitions. Sporting kaupapa such as rugby, league, waka koopapa, and Kii-o-Rahi are significant aspects of the kura marau, providing opportunities for tamariki to demonstrate their athletic skills while representing their kura, whaanau, hapuu, and iwi. Tamariki experience a broad range of opportunities to connect with the world around them. They are enrolled in work experience and visit tertiary institutions. Raukura and whaanau members share their work and life experiences, offering insights into career opportunities and future pathways. Tamariki in the Wharekura participate in learning through Te Whare Waananga o Raukawa, and in 2024, successfully completed tertiary diplomas. Tamariki are developing confidence in caring for the environment, their community, and their roles within and beyond the kura.
Aahuatanga Ako
Tamariki waawaahi tahaa
Whanaungatanga is at the heart of kaupapa ako. Tamariki are supported in their learning through a collaborative and inclusive environment. They appear happy, settled, and actively engaged in their learning. Learning is well planned, with poumahi working collaboratively to develop their learning focus for the year. Activities and experiences build on prior learning. Haapai Aakonga is used to identify and respond to the diverse learning needs of tamariki. Tamariki are attentive in their work and display an eagerness to achieve learning tasks alongside their peers. Poumahi provide targeted support and personalised pathways for success, utilising kaiaawhina to enhance learning outcomes. Kura Puutake aromatawai is consistently gathered and monitored to track individual progress. The data shows that the majority of tamariki from Years 1 to 8 are achieving at or above expected curriculum levels for Te Reo Matatini and Paangarau and are progressing towards the achievement targets outlined in the tuutohinga. Tamariki in the Wharekura are offered the opportunity to begin their National Certificate of Educational Achievement journey from Year 9. Early exposure to assessment pathways and personalised progression aligns with their strengths, interests, and future aspirations. The 2024 NCEA literacy and numeracy results reflect good performance, with 66.7% of tamariki achieving Level 1, 88.9% achieving Level 2 and all tamariki who sat Level 3 achieving success. These outcomes reflect the impact of targeted support and alignment to tamariki needs and interests. Furthermore, poumahi have implemented a parallel programme of study in English to accelerate literacy and numeracy progress for tamariki requiring additional support. Tamariki achieve academic success.
Whaanau Whakahaere/Leadership
Aratakina ki te maataapuna
o te moohio, o te ora, o te maungaarongo
The kura demonstrates culturally grounded governance and leadership practices. Whaanau aspirations have informed the strategic direction of the kura. The strategic plan promotes a culturally rich learning environment for tamariki, underpinned by koorero tuku iho o Ngaati Hauaa and the principles of Te Aho Matua. Regular hui whaanau allow for collaborative decision-making and shared stewardship to promote positive outcomes for tamariki. Intergenerational involvement allows for the strategic direction to be responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the aspirations of the learning community. The kura whaanau is well supported by its long-standing tumuaki, who has led since the inception of the kura. A distributive leadership model inspires collective commitment to the beliefs, values, and ethos of the kura. Tamariki are empowered to succeed in a learning environment where culturally responsive leadership and inclusive governance foster a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Key Next Steps
The kura identified policy review as an area for further improvement. They are currently aligning policies developed by a policy management system to reflect Te Aho Matua and the kaupapa of the kura. This evaluation affirms the importance for this process in providing effective guidance for school leaders and kaimahi, ensuring the implementation of practices that promote a physically and emotionally safe environment for tamariki.
Human resource management requires urgent attention. Not all employment information, including police vetting, is current or up to date. School leaders should prioritise updating and aligning employment practices to meet its legal obligations. Tamariki benefit with improved human resource management.
Attention should be given to strengthening programme evaluation practices. While poumahi engage in regular discussions about teaching and learning, developing a more efficient system for reporting evaluative findings will better support them to track progress and make informed decisions. Outcomes for tamariki are enhanced through improved evaluation practices.
5 Whānau Assurance on Legal Requirement
Before the review, the board of trustees and principal completed the ERO Whānau 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 review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:
- 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.
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 recommend that the whaanau continue to work collaboratively to ensure key next steps are met.
Tiwana Hibbs
Toka ā Nuku - Director
Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services
9 October 2025