He Puna Ruku Mātauranga o Whangaruru, has embraced the value of the Health and Physical Education and Hauora curriculum to tautoko oranga and mana motuhake for their tamariki mokopuna. 

Ngāti wai ki uta, Ngāti wai ki tai 

Kia Tūpato! Ka tangi a Tūkaiāia kei te moana, Ko Ngātiwai kei te moana e haere ana 

Ka tangi a Tūkaiāia kei tuawhenua, ko Ngātiwai kei tuawhenua e haere ana 

This reflection story highlights the haerenga of He Puna Ruku Mātauranga o Whangaruru, a kura based in the rural and coastal community of Ngātiwai ki uta, Ngātiwai ki tai. Over the past four years, this kura has had many changes in tumuaki and kaiako. In 2024 they identified the Health and Physical Education and Hauora curriculum as an area needing significant investment for their tamariki mokopuna, reflecting their commitment to mana motuhake and oranga. 

Guided by the whakataukī: “Kia Tūpato! Ka tangi a Tūkaiāia kei te moana, Ko Ngātiwai kei te moana e haere ana. Ka tangi a Tūkaiāia kei tuawhenua, Ko Ngātiwai kei tuawhenua e haere ana.” The kura celebrates the essence of Ngātiwaitanga, surrounding their unique tikanga into daily practices and nurturing pride in their whakapapa. 

At the beginning of 2024, under the leadership of newly appointed Tumuaki, Whaea Delwynne Simon, the kura identified key priorities to uplift their tamariki mokopuna. With support from Erin Steel, Healthy Active Learning Facilitator from Sport Northland, the kura crafted a strategic approach to address challenges such as low engagement, limited confidence in teaching HPE and the need for alignment with their kura a iwi values. 

Key moments that were vital throughout 2024 included professional collaboration including reflective practices and curriculum consultation which helped the kura prioritise goals and plan for the future; whānau hui where community voices became central, empowering whānau to contribute their aspirations for the kura and strategic partnerships in collaboration with kōhanga reo, iwi and hapū which strengthened the kura’s foundation in Ngātiwaitanga. 

Through real-world, taiao-based learning experiences, the kura created meaningful opportunities for tamariki to connect with their taiao. From utilising their waka, exploring marine reserves, gathering of rākau, re-establishing their renowned Ngā iti Kahurangi (their first Kapa Haka festival post covid) to learning about ngā maunga o Ngātiwai, their curriculum came alive, encouraging deeper engagement and understanding for ākonga. Alongside this, staff grew in confidence, increasingly integrating the HPE curriculum with the kura’s unique uara. Weekly hui provided space for reflection and growth. 

Whaea Delwynne explains the flexible and collaborative approach from Erin which helped kaiako build confidence, supporting and planning for more opportunities for quality learning rooted in Te Whare Tapa Whā. The changes and transition are evident in the positive outcomes achieved throughout the year as identified by Whaea Delwynne: whānau and tamariki connection - a deeper sense of belonging and pride in Ngātiwaitanga within the kura; kaiako confidence – is growing and ongoing; and stronger iwi partnerships - reinforcing identity and showcasing the kura as a shining example of commitment to Ngātiwai educational outcomes. 

Key learnings for the future, as highlighted by the kura’s success, is the importance of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga grounded in whakapapa. With continued prioritising of oranga and meaningful learning experiences, the kura is creating a legacy of resilience, cultural pride and identity, while also supporting academic growth for all ākonga. 

During 2024, the below was created as an overarching guideline for teachers to use in their classrooms to support their students learning.

Uara that they encourage across their kura: 

Written by Tumuaki Whaea Delwynne Simon and Erin Steel, Healthy Active Learning Facilitator