Kura kaupapa Māori are Māori-language immersion schools in New Zealand, where the philosophy and practice reflect Māori cultural values with the aim of revitalising Māori language, knowledge and culture. Kura kaupapa Māori are established under the Education Act (1989). The term kaupapa Māori is used by Māori to mean any particular plan of action created by Māori to express Māori aspirations, values and principles.[1]
The establishment of kura kaupapa Māori schools followed a 1971 report by researcher Richard Benton that the Māori language was in a critical near-death stage. By the 1980s, Māori communities "were so concerned with the loss of Māori language, knowledge and culture that they took matters into their own hands and set up their own learning institutions at pre-school, elementary school, secondary school and tertiary levels".
The establishment of kohanga reo (Māori-language pre-schools) triggered a series of initiatives in schooling and education by Māori, initially outside of the mainstream education system. The need for Māori language primary schools arose when parents were concerned that their children who had finished kohanga reo quickly lost their language once they started at mainstream primary schools. Those kura kaupapa Māori are part of a series of Māori-led initiatives aimed at strengthening the language, affirming cultural identity, and encouraging community involvement.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi, Henderson, West Auckland is generally credited as being the first kura kaupapa Māori and was established in 1985. The Kura Kaupapa Māori movement is a term commonly used to describe parents and supporters of kura kaupapa Māori. The term emerged when the first school was established.[2] [3]
In 1987, a working party was established to investigate an alternative schooling model that would better meet the aspirations of Māori communities in New Zealand. The working party consisted of Dr Katerina Mataira, Dr Pita Sharples, Dr Graham Smith, Dr Linda Smith, Dr Cathy Dewes, Tuki Nepe, Rahera Shortland, Pem Bird and Toni Waho. The working party adopted Te Aho Matua as being the foundation set of principles that guide the operations of a kura kaupapa Māori.
Kura kaupapa Māori originate from humble beginnings. The government began funding kura kaupapa Māori five years after the first school was established. In the early years, from 1985 to 1995, almost all kura kaupapa Māori were accommodated at some stage in a place or venue that accommodate children for little or no rent. Parents raised funds to resource kura kaupapa Māori until the government officially recognised and funded the school.
In 1987, one of the recommendations of the Tomorrow's Schools' Pilot Report, a major education reform affecting all New Zealand schools, recommended to the government that Māori communities be able to establish and govern their own schools. The 1989 Education Act was amended to include Section 155 which provides for the Minister of Education to designate a state school as a kura kaupapa Māori by notice in the New Zealand Gazette. Although the Act was amended, many school communities were dissatisfied because the amendment did not adequately define the unique character of a kura kaupapa Māori.
On 16 July 1999, the Education (Te Aho Matua) Amendment Act 1999, amended Section 155 of the Education Act 1989. Māori communities wanted the unique character of kura kaupapa Māori to be protected in law. At the request of Te Runanga Nui, the Minister of Māori Affairs and associate Minister of Education Tau Henare was the Minister responsible for the Education (Te Aho Matua) Amendment Act becoming a statute in New Zealand. The Te Aho Matua amendment made it a requirement that kura kaupapa Māori adhere to the principles of Te Aho Matua. The amendment recognised Te Runanga Nui o nga Kura Kaupapa Māori as the kaitiaki (guardians, caretakers and architects), the most suitable body responsible for determining the content of Te Aho Matua, and for ensuring that it is not changed to the detriment of Māori.[4] [5] [6]
According to Graham Smith, the charter "provides the guidelines for excellence in Māori, that is, what a good Māori education should entail. It also acknowledges Pākehā culture and skills required by Māori children to participate fully and at every level in modern New Zealand society" (G Smith 2003:10).
Written in the Māori language, Te Aho Matua o nga Kura Kaupapa Māori[7] are the principles kura kaupapa Māori are required to adhere to. The principles are underpinned by Māori values, beliefs and customs. On Thursday 21 January 2008, Te Aho Matua along with an explanation in English was published in the New Zealand Gazette by the late Parekura Horomia. When Te Aho Matua was introduced into Parliament to become legislated, an English explanation was written by Dr Katerina Mataira.[8]
Te Aho Matua has six sections:
In 1993, Uru Gardiner, the principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ati Hau Nui A Paparangi asked key architects of kura kaupapa Māori to visit Wanganui. Her kura whānau (parents and extended family of the school community) wanted to seek advice on good practice for establishing a kura kaupapa Māori. When Māori communities from around New Zealand learned of this hui (gathering) they asked if they could attend. Consequently, Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, commonly known as Te Runanga Nui was established in 1993 at Kawhaiki marae on the Whanganui river. At the hui Dr Pita Sharples became the inaugural Tumuaki (president) of Te Runanga Nui.
Te Runanga Nui is the national collective body of kura kaupapa Māori Te Aho Matua communities. An incorporated society, the organisation holds its annual meeting in different locations throughout New Zealand, usually on the last weekend of March. Meetings are mostly conducted in te reo Māori. The purpose of the organisation is to support kura kaupapa Māori whānau (communities) in realising their aspirations for their schools. They engage in discussions and negotiations with the government, Ministry of Education, the Education Review Office and other organisations who have a vested interest in kura kaupapa Māori.
The organisation is divided into ten geographic regions, and kura kaupapa Māori belong to a particular region. At the annual meeting, each region elects a māngai (representative) who becomes a member of the Te Rūnanga Whāiti (executive committee). Two regions like Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Te Ūpoko o te Ika (Lower North island) have two māngai. Te Rūnanga Whāiti meets several times of the year, usually in Auckland to discuss issues affecting kura kaupapa Māori. The issues can vary. The organisation also elects a Tumuaki (president) at the meeting, the current being Hone Mutu. The organisation has a small secretariat and the current kaitakawaenga (co-ordinator) is Arapine Walker[9] supported by Te Tari Tautoko (support team).
The nine geographic regions of Te Runanga Nui are Te Hiku (Northland), Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland), Tainui (Waikato), Mataatua (Bay of Plenty), Te Puku (Central North Island), Tai-rāwhiti (East Coast), Taranaki, Te Ati Hau Nui A Paparangi (South Taranaki), Te Upoko o te Ika (Wellington), and Te Waka (South Island).
Former tumuaki (presidents or chairpersons) of the Runanga Nui were Dr. Pita Sharples,[10] Bert McLean, Dr. Cathy Dewes, Arni Wainui, Hohepa Campbell[11] Hone Mutu and Rawiri Wright. The current Tumuaki Takirua are Dr Cathy Dewes and Rawiri Wright (2023).[12]
Different types of kura Māori have emerged because of resourcing arrangements used by the Ministry of Education to fund and staff kura. All kura Māori are co-educational and are part of the compulsory schooling sector of New Zealand state schools. Early childhood centres, kohanga reo and universities, technical institutes or whare wananga in New Zealand are not part of the compulsory schooling sector.
There are three types of primary schools in New Zealand. The different types are: full primary, contributing primary, and restricted primary. Full primary schools teach children from Years 1 to 8, contributing primary schools teach from Year 7 to 8 and restricted teach children from Years 1 - 6 or from Years 7 - 8. Only children who turn 5 years old are eligible to be enrolled in these schools and the age of children ranges from 5 years old to 13 years old. Most of the children who enroll in kura tuatahi (primary school) enrol at a kura after turning 5 and graduating from a kohanga reo (a Māori language learning nest child centre).
Almost all kura arongatahi started as a full primary school. Kura arongatahi teach from Years 1 to Years 13. The age of children ranges from 5 years old to 18 years old, although in New Zealand education is only compulsory until 16. Students enrolled from Year 11 to Year 13 undertake NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement). However, before a composite school can award NCEA qualifications, the school must be an accredited provider with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. A school can only become composite once the Minister of Education has approved its change of class application. Approval to become a kura arongatahi typically takes two years. Funding and staffing of these schools is different from those of kura tuatahi. In 2008 there were 15 Kura Kaupapa Māori Te Aho Matua composite schools. A composite school in New Zealand can also be classified as an Area school. In recognition of becoming an area school or composite school, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Māngere, in Māngere, Auckland, changed its name to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ā rohe o Māngere. Sometimes the Minister of Education will not approve a change of class application to become a full composite school, instead the minister will approve the application so that the school can become a restricted composite school. A restricted composite school usually allows a school to teach children from Years 1 to 10. Gaining restricted composite status does not limit a school from eventually gaining full composite status in the future, whereby the school is able to teach up to Year 15.
A wharekura is an immersion secondary school where the philosophy and practice reflect Māori cultural values with the aim of revitalising Māori language, knowledge and culture. The term kaupapa Māori is used popularly by Māori to mean any particular plan of action created by Māori to express Māori aspirations, values and principles to teach children from Years 9 to Years 15. All of these schools are composite. In recognition of gaining wharekura status, one school, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Arowhenua, in Invercargill, changed its name to Te Wharekura o Arowhenua.
Some primary and composite kura kaupapa Māori become a kura tuakana (mentoring school). Prior to a formal establishment process being adopted by the government, kura kaupapa Māori would satellite a kura teina (mentored school) - another non-government-funded kura kaupapa Māori school community. This arrangement did not require Ministry of Education approval and was the mechanism used by the kura kaupapa Māori movement to increase the number of these schools around New Zealand. The satellite arrangement allowed the kura tuakana to give funding and staffing to the kura teina.
In 2001, the Ministry of Education negotiated a formal process for establishing new schools with Te Runanga Nui. The process now requires an applicant kura whanau to apply. Once the Minister of Education is satisfied with the application, a kura tuakana is assigned to support and mentor the applicant. Only selected kura kaupapa Māori can become a kura tuakana and must be able to demonstrate their ability to mentor the kura teina.
Kura teina are applicant kura kaupapa Māori school communities who have applied to the Ministry of Education to become a standalone primary school. The kura teina operates and teaches children, either at the primary school year levels (Years 1 to 8) or at the wharekura school year levels (Years 9 - 15) or sometimes at primary and wharekura school year levels. Te Wharekura o Manurewa, Auckland, is the only kura kaupapa Māori that did not establish as a primary school. The school is a satellite to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori a Rohe o Māngere, located in Māngere, Auckland.
Each kura kaupapa Māori established in accordance with the Education Act, has a governing body. Schools have a Board of Trustees where five parent representatives are elected, and it is defined in its constitution when school is gazetted in the New Zealand gazette. The principal and an elected staff representative automatically becomes a member of that Board. For many schools, all parents become the governing body. Graha Smiths said: "a key principle of kaupapa Māori, is the involvement of whanau (family)." This type of governance arrangement requires all parents to become actively involved at all levels of school operations. Schools that operate a whanau governance arrangement do not support the Board of Trustees model.
Like other state schools, the governing body is required to develop and adopt a school charter, strategic plan and annual plan. Policies also are developed to support the whanau and management to run the day-to-day affairs of the school.
The principal and all staff are employees of the governing body. The number of teachers is dependent on the number of children enrolled. There are two roll calculation dates for all New Zealand schools, used to calculate staffing numbers and Teachers. The dates are known as the 1 March and 1 July roll return.
Kura kaupapa Māori are required to follow the stipulated number of days the school is required to be open in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines. Primary schools are open for instruction from 9 am to 3 pm. The schools have the authority to change the times. Composite schools are required to be open for a longer period during the day because they are open fewer days of the year than primary schools. Opening times and dates vary from school to school.
Kura kaupapa Māori receive additional funding to help them develop and maintain their Te Reo Māori immersion environment. An immersion leveling system is the mechanism used to calculate the funding. Kura kaupapa Māori are at level 1. This means that the language of instruction, the principal language used the teachers, te reo Māori in the classroom must be from 81% to 100%. It is common for teachers to not speak any English to their children at school. An additional salary allowance (MITA - Māori Immersion Teacher allowance) is also paid to full-time teachers who teach at Level 1.
Some kura tuatahi teach English (te reo Pākehā) and all kura arongatahi teach English to Year 9–13 students. Otherwise, English is only spoken in designated areas at kura.
Because of small roll numbers, most schools organise classrooms for a range of year levels. Year 1 and Year 2 students, are grouped separately, from Year 2 to Year 5 students, while Year 6 to Year 8 students separately. Schools have flexibility to organise their classrooms levels according to their priorities. Most schools operate a single cell classroom set up in which children are taught in one classroom by a single teacher. Three schools have an open plan teaching arrangement where children of many year levels are taught by many teachers in a large open teaching space. These schools are Mana Tamariki, Ruamata, and Te Kotuku.
Karakia is central to kura kaupapa Māori and the spiritual well-being of Māori. Meetings will begin with a prayer. Children at the start and end of the day will undertake karakia with their kaiako. On special occasions, when new schools are opened or at special school events, kaumatua (elders) of the community will undertake special karakia. Children are taught to honour and practise karakia. Two common forms of prayer are practised in schools, Christian based and kaupapa Māori based.
Te Aho Matua requires that the curriculum of a kura kaupapa Māori be holistic. A school strategic plan will determine the strategic direction the whanau (parents, principal, teachers) have for the learning of their children. Learning programmes are themed, incorporate Māori cultural perspectives, honour Māori customs and traditions and validate Māori knowledge. The curriculum is outcome focussed. Student achievement targets are defined to support the planning of learning programmes and assessment practise.
| Year | Legal Name | Location | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi | Henderson, West Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Composite | |
| 1987 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waipereira | Kelston, West Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Primary | |
| 1988 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Maungawhau[13] | Maungawhau | Tāmaki Makaurau | Kura Tuatahi | |
| 1989 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Māngere | Māngere, Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Composite | |
| 1990 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata[14] | Rotorua | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Composite | |
| 1990 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatū | Palmerston North | Te Upoko o te Ika | Primary | |
| 1990 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Piripono Te Kura Whakahou ki Otara | Otara, South Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Primary | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa | Masterton | Te Upoko o te Ika | Primary | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito | Ōtaki | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Oparure | Oparure, Te Kuiti | Tainui | Primary | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakapūmau i Te Reo Tūturu o Waitaha | Ōtautahi Christchurch | Te Waka | Composite | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi[15] | Whanganui | Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi | Primary | |
| 1991 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Arowhenua[16] | Murihiku Invercargill | Te Waha | Composite | |
| 1992 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruatoki | Ruatoki | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Composite | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe | Kaikohe | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Composite | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pūau Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Glen Innes, Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Composite | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manurewa | Manurewa, South Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Primary | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa I Te Reo Ki Tūwharetoa | Taupō | Te Puku | Composite | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Nga Taonga Tuturu ki Tokomaru | Tokomaru Bay, East Coast | Te Tai Rāwhiti | Primary | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Bernard Fergusson | Ngāruawāhia | Tainui | ||
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Āniwaniwa | Kaitaia | Te Hiku | Composite | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Rima | Kirikiriroa Hamilton | Tainui | ||
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepou | Tauranga | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Primary | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangatuna | Tolaga Bay | Te Tairāwhiti | Primary | |
| 1993 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu | Rotorua | Te Puku | Composite | |
| 1994 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rangiawhia | Kaitaia | Te Hiku | Primary | |
| 1994 | Te Pi'ipi'inga Kākano Mai i Rangiātea | Ngāmotu New Plymouth | Taranaki | Primary | |
| 1994 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rangiawhia | Kaitaia | Te Rūnanga Nui region | ||
| 1994 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tāmaki Nui A Rua | Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1994 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna | Seatoun, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1994 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rākaumanga | Huntly | Tainui | Composite | |
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki | Te Papaioea Palmerston North | Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rāwhitiroa | Whangārei | Te Hiku | Composite | |
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tōku Māpihi Maurea | Kirikiriroa Hamilton | Tainui | Full Primary | |
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tamarongo | Taranaki | Taranaki | Primary | |
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau | Murupara | Te Ika Whenua | ||
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Huiarau | Ruatahuna | Maungapohatu | ||
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Matahi | Waimana | Te Runanga Nui region | ||
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waiohau | Waiohau, Whakatane | Te Runanga Nui region | ||
| 1995 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waioeka | Waioeka | Te Runanga Nui region | ||
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Raki Paewhenua | Mairangi Bay, Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Composite | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou | Ruatōrea | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Composite | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri a Maui | Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa Gisborne | Te Tairāwhiti | Primary | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu | Hastings | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Whānui | Lower Hutt, Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington | Te Upoko o te Ika | ||
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waipiro | Waipiro Bay, East Coast | Te Tairāwhiti | Primary | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tapere Nui A Whatonga | Rangitukia | Te Rūnanga Nui region | ||
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rotoiti | Rotorua | Te Puku | Primary | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Maraenui | Maraenui | Te Rūnanga Nui region | ||
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Mataī | Te Puke | Te Rūnanga Nui region | Primary | |
| 1996 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Harataunga | Kennedy Bay, Coromandel | Tainui | Primary | |
| 1997 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarere | Kawakawa | Te Hiku | Primary | |
| 1997 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakawātea | Kirikiriroa Hamilton | Tainui | Primary | |
| 1997 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa | Wairoa | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1997 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Rangi | Ohakune | Te Āti-Haunui-a-Pāpārangi | Primary | |
| 1997 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi | Ōtautahi Christchurch | Te Waka | Composite | |
| 1998 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Ruanui | Hāwera | Taranaki | ||
| 1998 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga | Hastings, Hawkes Bay | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 1998 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tupoho | Whanganui | Te Āti Haunui-A-Pāpārangi | Composite | |
| 1998 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti | Ōtepoti Dunedin | Te Waka | Primary | |
| 1998 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puaha o Waikato | Tuakau/ Port Waikato | Tainui | Primary | |
| 2001 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Te Ara Hou | Napier | Te Upoko o te Ika | Composite | |
| 2002 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kōtuku | Rānui, Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau | Primary | |
| 2003 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti | Hicks Bay, East Coast | Te Tairawhiti | Primary | |
| 2003 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Hiringa | Tokoroa | Te Puku | ||
| 2005 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaroa | Matauri Bay | Te Hiku | ||
| 2005 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Tonga o Hokianga | South Hokianga | Te Hiku | Primary | |
| 2005 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hurungaterangi | Rotorua | Te Puku | Primary | |
| 2005 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro | Kaitaia | Te Hiku | Composite | |
| 2006 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waiuku | Waiuku | Tāmaki Makaurau | Primary | |
| 2007 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rau Aroha[17] | Matamata | Tainui | Composite | |
| 2012 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tuia Te Matangi | Nelson | Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui | Composite | |
| 2013 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga | Gisborne | Tairawhiti | Composite | |
| 2011 | Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha | Te Awamutu | Tainui | ||
| 2019 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hawaiki Hou | Gisborne | Tairawhiti | Composite | |
| 2024 | Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngaa Papaonekura[18] | Papakura, Auckland |