After two decades of waiting, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is preparing to open its own kura in the heart of Auckland city.

Around 60 Year 9 and 10 students gathered with their whānau this week to meet kaiako and mark the beginning of a new chapter for Te Kura o Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki, which opens in term 3.

Chair Marama Royal says the vision has always been clear. “We’ve always wanted to have our own kura. We’ve always wanted to teach our reo, our hītori, our pūrākau, and give our mokopuna tamariki a sense of identity of who they are as whātua.”

Operating under the charter school model, the kura will blend digital innovation and real world partnerships with Ngāti Whātua tikanga. Royal says the structure allows the iwi to design a curriculum that reflects its values and aspirations.

“It is a charter school, and so with that it gives us the opportunity to develop the curriculum. This is about not just learning about who they are as whātua, but also what it’s like to be environmental warriors, to protect our taiao.”

Associate Education Minister David Seymour said “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,”

The Minister has been instrumental in driving the coalition governments policy on charter schools. This kura would be the fifth Māori-focused charter school announced so far, with more expected later this month.

“At Te Kura o Ngāti Whātua ki Tamaki, students will participate in real-world learning through iwi-led and city based partnerships. This will include collaborations with Māori businesses, partnerships with universities and tertiary education providers, and international school exchanges.” Seymour said.

Earlier this month, the iwi also hosted Ngāpuhi students relocating Whangārei charter school, Kāpehu Whetu which was a sign of strengthening a growing Māori led education network.

“To see our children be able to go out onto the global stage with their Whatuatanga and be proud of who they are is just a dream come true for all of us,” Royal says.

For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the kura represents education grounded in identity and whenua.