TKKM o Te Rito

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 Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito ki Ōtaki. Kua pou herea te kura ki ngā tikanga whakaaro o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano me Te Aho Matua. He tino hononga ō rātou ki Te Āti Awa rātou ko Ngāti Raukawa, ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira. I te tau 2024 i whakatū ai te whānau i tētahi tumuaki hou, ā, he raukura ia o te kura. 

3 Te Aronga o te Aromātai 

He pēhea rawa te kite atu ki ngā tamariki, kei te whakaongaongatia rātou, kei te harikoa hoki rātou hei ākonga?

Kei te ngākau titikaha ngā tamariki hei ākonga, ā, e eke ana ki ō rātou pūmanawa, e whakatinana ana hoki i ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua. 

4 Ngā Whakaaturanga 

Te Ira Tangata

Kei te tino pakari ngā ākonga i roto i ngā mōhiotanga ki ō rātou tātai hono ki ō rātou whānau, ō rātou iwi, me tō rātou hapori. E whakarato ana te whānau i tētahi taiao ako e ahu mai ana i ngā uara me ngā whakapono tuku iho Māori, pērā i te kaitiakitanga, te rangatiratanga, me te kotahitanga. Ka whai wāhi atu ngā ākonga ki ngā taumahi e tohu ana i ngā tikanga tuku iho mā roto i te horopaki o te ao hurihuri. Ka ako rātou, ka taki hoki rātou i te tangongitanga o ngā karakia, ngā mōteatea, ngā whakapapa me ngā kōrero tuku iho i āta whiriwhirihia ai. Tāpiri atu ki tēnā, ka ārahi, ka whai wāhi mātātoa hoki rātou ki ngā tūāhuatanga o te haka pōwhiri, te mihimihi, me te whakatau wairua. I ngā ākonga e ahu whakamua ana i roto i ngā reanga o te kura, ka nui ake tā rātou whai kawenga, ā, e tūmanakohia ana kia ū pūmau rātou ki ngā uara o te kura. Ka āta aro atu ki ngā ākonga o te kura tēina, ā, ka kitea tā rātou pārekareka ki te ako. Ka kitea ki ngā ākonga o te wharekura te whakaute me te pakari hei ākonga, hei kaiārahi hoki. Kei te ngākau titikaha ngā ākonga ki tō rātou tuakiri me tō rātou tūrangawaewae. 

Te Reo Māori 

Kua rumakina ngā ākonga ki te hōhonutanga o te taiao reo Māori. E tino ngākau nui ana ngā whānau ki te hāpai i te mātau haere o ngā ākonga ki te reo Māori. Ka kawe ngātahi rātou i te whakamahinga o te reo Māori i roto i ngā wāhanga katoa o te kura. Ka kaha whakatauira ngā kaiārahi me ngā kaiako o te kura i te whakamahinga o te reo Māori hei reo whakaako, hei reo ako. Ka whakamahi rātou i te tangongitanga o ngā rautaki ki te whakapakari me te whakawhānui i te māramatanga o ngā ākonga ki te reo Māori. Kei te ū ngā kaiako me te whānau o te kura ki te whakamahi i te reo ā-iwi me ngā kupu ake o hapū me te iwi. Ka kitea ki ngā ākonga te papai o te waiaro ki te ako me te whakamahi i te reo Māori kia māhorahora ai hei reo whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro. He ngākau titikaha ō rātou ki te whakapuaki i ō rātou whakaaro mā te reo Māori ki te kura, ā, ki te hapori whānui anō hoki. Ka tūmāia ngā tamariki ki te kōrero i te reo Māori. 

Ngā Iwi

E whanake ana ngā tamariki i ngā pūkenga ki te paihere i ō rātou hononga ki ētahi atu. He tino hononga ō ngā tamariki ki te mana whenua, ā, e whakawhānui tonu ana rātou i ō rātou māramatanga ki aua hononga. Ka kitea tō rātou whakaaro nui ki aua hononga hei ākonga i Te Rito, ā, kei te mōhio rātou ki tō rātou tūnga ki te kura me te hapori whānui. Ka whakapuaki ngā kaiako i ngā tino whai wāhitanga mō ngā tamariki ki te whakapakari ake i ō rātou hononga ā-whakapapa mā ngā akoranga i whakamaheretia ai i mō te tikanga ā-iwi me te hītori. Ka whakatairanga tonuhia tā rātou ako mā ngā haerenga ki ngā wāhi motuhake me ngā kaupapa whakahirahira o te rohe me te motu. Ka hāpai ngā whānau me ngā kaiako i ngā tamariki ki te tū hei tino kanohi mō te kura, i a rātou e taunekeneke ana i roto i te hapori me ētahi atu kura o Te Aho Matua mā te kapa haka me te wiki hākinakina. Ka kitea ki ngā tamariki te papai me te whai pūtaketanga o ō rātou hononga ki ētahi atu. 

Te Ao

E ako ana ngā tamariki mā roto mai i tētahi taiao e whakamana ana i tō rātou tino pitomata, ā, e tautāwhi ana i tō rātou tuakiritanga ā-hinengaro, ā-tinana, ā-wairua hoki. Ka toro atu te marautanga ki te mātauranga Māori hei tūhonohono i ngā akoranga ki te tuakiri, ki te wāhi, me te pūtaketanga. Ka tuitui i te ao māoriori, te ao ahurea, me te ao tōrangapū o Ōtaki ki ngā wheako ako, ā, ka tūhonohono i ngā ākonga ki tō rātou taiao, ka poipoi anō hoki i te kaitiakitanga. Ki tua atu i te marau, ka whai wāhi atu ngā tamariki ki ngā wheako whakatairanga mā ngā hononga ki ētahi atu kura me ngā kaupapa hākinakina, kaupapa ahurea hoki, ā, he tūāhuatanga tēnei e hāpai ai ki te whakapakari i tō rātou tuakiri me tō rātou whai māramatanga ki a rātou anō. Ka tautoko, ka whakamana hoki ngā whānau i ngā mōhiotanga ā-hapori nei e ākona ana e ā rātou tamariki i te kura me te hapori whānui. E poipoia ana te ahurea o ngā tamariki, ā, kua hāpaitia tō rātou puāwaitanga i roto i te ao Māori me te ao whānui. 

Ngā Āhuatanga Ako

Ko ngā kaupapa tūturu o te marau me ngā wheako ako i āta whakamaheretia ai, e whakatau ana i te kaha o te whai wāhi nui o ngā ākonga ki ngā akoranga. Ka hāpai ngā kaiako kia whakamana, kia whakakotahi anō hoki te wāhi ako, ā, ka toro atu ngā tamariki ki te tangongitanga o ngā wheako ako. He pai te hanganga o ngā mahere ā-kura, ā, e whakatairangatia ana te angitu o ngā tamariki nā ngā whakawhitinga kōrero e pā ana ki te whakaako me te ako. Kei te tino mōhio ngā kaiako ki ngā tamariki, ā, ka whakariterite i ngā tino akoranga mō te whai wāhi nui mai a ngā ākonga. Ka āta aroturuki i te ahu whakamua, ā, kua whakahāngaitia te tautoko mō ngā tamariki hei hāpai ake. Ko te ahu whakamua me ngā paetae o ngā tamariki e tohu ana i te tino nuinga o ngā tamariki o ngā tau 1 ki te 10 e tautokona ana, kia angitu ai rātou i roto i te reo matatini me te pāngarau. Ka whai wāhi atu ngā tamariki o te Tau 11 ki ētahi o ngā kaupapa o Te Taumata Mātauranga ā-Motu kua Taea, heoi, ka whakapeto ngoi, ka aro pū ki te whakariterite i ngā tamariki mō Te Taumata Mātauranga ā-Motu kua Taea hei te Tau 12. Ko ngā hōtuku i te mutunga o te tau 2024 e tohu ana i te 60% o ngā tamariki i angitu ai i te Taumata 2, me te 100% o ngā tamariki ki te Tau 13 i whiwhi i te Taumata 3. I whiwhi te 67% o aua tamariki i te Tiwhikete Whakauru Whare Wānanga. E whakatutukihia ana ngā tamariki i ō rātou tino pūmanawa. 

Ngā Mahi Whakahaere a te Whānau me te Ārahitanga 

I roto i te roanga o te wā, kua whakawhanakehia e ngā kaiārahi te tino ahurea e hāpai ngātahi ai i te angitu o ngā tamariki. Ka tohaina ngā mahi ārahi, ā, he tauira tēnei e whakamana ana i ngā kaiako katoa ki te whai i te hiranga, me te āta whai wāhi nui ki te tirohanga o te kura. Kua whakatakotohia ngā pūnaha whai hanganga hei hāpai, hei aroturuki i te ahu whakamua o ngā tamariki, ā, hei whakatau anō hoki i te whakatutukitanga o ngā whāinga ako me te āta aromatawai anō hoki i ngā paetae. Ka whakanuia ngā ekenga i roto i te mātauranga me te hākinakina, ka whakapuakihia hoki ki te taha o ngā whānau me te iwi, ā, he tūāhuatanga tēnei e whakapūmau ana i te manawa whakahī me te whai hononga. E whanake ana ngā tamariki i ngā waiaro papai me ngā pūmanawa e whakariterite ana i a rātou ki te tūmāia ki te ārahi i roto i ō rātou hapori, ā, i ngā huarahi hoki i whakataungia ai e rātou. 

Ka whai wāhi mātātoa te whānau ki ngā mahi kāwana i te kura, ka aro pū ki ngā tamariki, ā, ka āta whakaū i te whakatairanga ake o ngā whakataunga whakahaere i te ako me te waiora. Ko tō rātou mōhiotanga, ko tō rātou mātanga hoki e whakatakoto ana i te tino tūāpapa ā-ahurea, ā, e arahina ana ā rātou whiringa rautaki e ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua, me te whai pānga anō hoki o ngā wawata o te whānau o te kura. Kua whakatau rātou i ngā rawa ka hāpai i ā rātou whāinga rautaki, ā, ka aro matua ki te waiora o ngā tamariki me te eke angitu i roto i te mātauranga. E puāwai ana ngā tamariki nā ngā whakataunga e whakaaro nui ana ki te hāpai i tā rātou whakatutukitanga o ō rātou tino pūmanawa. 

Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake

Kua tautuhia e te whānau o te kura, e tika ana kia whakapūmautia ngā whakaritenga o te kounga kairangi me te aronga toitū ki Te Aho Matua, hei āta whakatau i haere tonutanga o te angitu me ngā whakatutukitanga o ā rātou tamariki. E hāpai ana te aromātai nei i te haere tonutanga me te whakatairanga tonu o ngā putanga e whai hua ana ki ngā tamariki. 

5 Te Whakatau a te Whānau ki ngā Wāhanga Tautukunga

I mua atu i te aromātai i whakatutukihia e te poari me te tumuaki he Tauāki Kupu Tūturu a te Whānau o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Te Aho Matua mā Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, 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 arotake, 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
• te rēhitatanga me te tiwhiketetanga o ngā kaiako
• ngā tukanga ki te whakatū kaimahi
• te whakaunu, te aukati, te pana me te whakarerenga
• te tae ā-tinana atu a ngā ākonga ki te kura.

6 Te Taunakitanga

E taunaki ana Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga kia whakapūmau tonu, kia whakapakari tonu te whānau i ngā whakaritenga e hāpai ai i te taumata teitei tonu o ngā paetae ākonga. 

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

17 Hakihea, 2025

7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te  Kōhanga Reo

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 Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito is in Ōtaki. The kura is underpinned by the philosophies of Whakatupuranga Rua Mano and Te Aho Matua. They have strong connections to Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. In 2024, the whānau appointed a new principal, a raukura of the kura.

3 Evaluation Focus

How effectively do tamariki demonstrate they are stimulated and happy learners?

Tamariki are confident learners who achieve their potential and reflect the principles of Te Aho Matua.

4 Findings

Te Ira Tangata

Students are deeply secure in the knowledge of their ancestral links to their whānau, iwi, and hapori. Whānau provide a learning environment based on traditional Māori values and beliefs such as kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga, and kotahitanga. Students participate in activities that reflect traditional customs and practices in a contemporary environment. They learn about and can recite a range of purposefully selected karakia, mōteatea, whakapapa, and kōrero tuku iho. Furthermore, students actively participate in and lead aspects of haka pōhiri, mihimihi, and whakatau wairua. As tauira progress through the year levels in the kura, they take on greater responsibility and are expected to uphold the values of the kura. Students in the junior school are treated with careful attention and demonstrate enjoyment in their learning. Students in the wharekura show respect and maturity as learners and leaders. Students are confident in who they are and where they come from.

Te Reo Māori

Students are immersed in a rich Māori language environment. Whānau are highly committed to supporting students to be proficient speakers of te reo Māori. They take collective responsibility for the use of te reo Māori in all domains of the kura. School leaders and teachers are disciplined in role modelling the use of te reo Māori as the language of instruction and learning. They use a range of strategies to strengthen and extend student understanding of te reo Māori. Pouako and the kura whānau intentionally include the local dialect and distinct language nuances particular to the local hapū and iwi. Students display a positive attitude towards learning and using te reo Māori as the natural form of communication. They confidently express themselves in te reo Māori within the school and the wider community. Tamariki are confident speakers te reo Māori.

Ngā Iwi

Tamariki develop the skills to build enduring relationships with others. Tamariki are deeply connected to mana whenua and continue to expand their understanding of these relationships. They show respect for these connections as learners within Te Rito, recognising their place within the kura and the wider community. Kaiako create rich opportunities for tamariki to strengthen their whakapapa links through planned learning in tikanga ā-iwi and history. Their learning is further enhanced by visits to places and events of regional and national significance. Whānau and pouako support tamariki in their role as positive ambassadors for the kura when interacting with the community and other kura Aho Matua through kapa haka and wiki hākinakina. Tamariki demonstrate positive and meaningful connections with others.

Te Ao

Tamariki learn in an environment that values their full potential, embracing who they are in mind, body, and spirit. The curriculum draws on mātauranga Māori to connect learning with identity, place, and purpose. The natural, cultural, and political landscapes of Ōtaki are woven into learning experiences, connecting students to their physical environment and nurturing a sense of kaitiakitanga. Beyond the curriculum, tamariki engage in enriching experiences through connections with other kura, sports, and cultural events, helping to strengthen their identity and understanding of self. Whānau support and value the localised knowledge their tamariki gain through learning both at kura and within the wider community. Tamariki are culturally grounded and prepared to thrive in both te ao Māori and the wider world.

Āhuatanga Ako

Authentic curriculum content and thoughtfully planned learning experiences ensure high levels of student engagement. Kaiako foster an affirming, inclusive environment where tamariki engage in a variety of learning experiences. Kura wide planning is well structured with collaborative discussions for teaching and learning taking place that promotes tamariki success. Kaiako know tamariki well and prepare deliberate lessons for full engagement and participation. Progress is closely monitored, with targeted support for tamariki requiring further assistance. Tamariki progress and achievement information shows that a large majority of tamariki from Years 1 – 10 are supported to achieve academic success for te reo matatini and pāngarau. Whilst tamariki in Years 11 participate in some National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) subjects, a concerted efforted is focused on preparing tamariki for NCEA in Year 12. The data recorded at the end of 2024 indicates 60% of tamariki who sat Level 2 achieved success and 100% of tamariki in Year 13 achieved Level 3. 67% of those tamariki also attained University Entrance. Tamariki are reaching their full potential.

Whānau Whakahaere and Leadership

Over time, leaders have developed a strong culture of collective responsibility for tamariki success. A distributive leadership model empowers all pouako to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to the kura’s vision. Well-structured systems are in place to support and monitor tamariki progress, ensuring learning goals are met and achievement is effectively assessed. Academic and sporting achievements are celebrated and shared with whānau and iwi, reinforcing a sense of pride and connection. Tamariki develop positive attitudes and attributes that prepare them to lead confidently within their communities and chosen pathways.

The whānau plays an active, tamariki-focused role in governance, ensuring that operational decisions promote both learning and wellbeing. Their shared knowledge and experience provide a strong cultural foundation, and their strategic choices are guided by the principles of Te Aho Matua, while also reflecting the aspirations of the kura whānau. They have committed resources to support their strategic goals, which prioritise tamariki wellbeing and educational achievement. Tamariki thrive under thoughtful decision-making that supports them to reach their full potential. 

Key Next Steps

The kura whānau have identified the need to sustain high-quality practices and an enduring commitment to Te Aho Matua to ensure the ongoing success and achievement of their tamariki. This evaluation supports the continuation and enhancement of positive outcomes for tamariki.

5 Whānau Assurance on Legal Requirement

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal completed the ERO Ngā Kura Kaupapa Te Aho Matua 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.

6 Recommendation

ERO recommends that the whānau continue to sustain and strengthen practices that support continued high levels of student achievement.

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

17 December 2025

7 Information about the Kura