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Whanau Approach to Learning

Our Whanau Learning environment has been co-constructed to enhance our supportive school culture. This is about establishing inclusive learning opportunities within a Whanau (Family) type structure. This learning environment we believe enriches our school’s culture through mixed social and academic engagement, that enables progress and achievement through collaborative approaches that fosters respect for self and others.

As a school we are privileged to work with and have a close partnership with Ngati Whakaue kaumatua. This relationship benefits all our students as residents of Rotorua in having a positive understanding of local iwi, local history and traditional Maori tikanga. ‘From Knowledge and awareness grows understanding and respect’.

Whanau Koromatua

The Koromatua, Te Roro o te Rangi, Tunohopu, Pukaki, , Hurungaterangi, Te Rangiiwaho and Taeotu (our specialist team) are recognised as the six main ancestors from who all of Ngati Whakaue descends. Each of these ancestors are chiefs in their own right and are recognised for the mana that they brought to Ngati Whakaue and indeed, all of Te Arawa.

Whanau Vision

“To enable all learners to walk tall with the knowledge of our mana, our identity and our place in our world. Every learner will feel valued and have a sense of belonging through success in physical, social, cultural, academic experiences, connecting to the legacy of our Koromatua.”

Te Roro o Te Rangi Whanau

Ko te kaupapa matua o tātou te whanau o Te Roro o te rangi  he hanga mātauranga Māori nā te Māori. E hangaia ana tēnei mātauranga i roto i te whare o Te Ao Mārama, i runga anō hoki i ngā whakaaturanga o te whakapapa kia mārama ai te tangata ki tōna ao.  

Te Roro o Te Rangi is one of six Koromatua of Ngati Whakaue. He was the eldest son of Ariariterangi and older brother to Tunohopu. Te Roro o te rangi was a fierce warrior, leader of his people and a man of great compassion. 

Te Roro o Te Rangi whanau is made up one Rumaki (total immersion) class and three Reo Rua (bilingual) classes. Our kaupapa Māori approach for learning and teaching are underpinned by Māori values. Te Roro o Te Rangi whānau have a commitment to supporting all ākonga by shaping learning experiences and opportunities that foster their natural talents and encourage their engagement in learning. Whānau, hapū and iwi participation and contribution is central to all of our ākonga achieving and succeeding as Māori.

“Ko ngā ākonga kai te whatumanawa”   

 
 
 
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Te Rangiiwaho Whanau

Te Rangiiwaho was the son of Te Kata of Ngati Whakaue and Waoku of Ngati Uenukukopako/Ngati Raukawa and was born in Kawaha. Te Rangiiwaho married Kumaramaoa a grandaughter of Hurungaterangi. His was also nephew to Te Roro o te rangi and Tunohopu. 

 He whakatauki nō Te Rangiiwaho:
 “Whiria te kaha, tua makatia, e motu honoa, purutia Rotorua”
“Plait the rope, double it if needs be, splice it if it breaks, but hold Rotorua”.

This Whakatauki speaks about us as a whanau doing all that needs to be done to achieve success. We will be a resilient whanau who does not shy away from a challenge. Working together, we will support one another and work collaboratively to achieve excellence for every student. We will celebrate our successes and utilise every student’s unique strengths to build up everyone in the whanau.


“I have escaped all dangers and returned to place peace on the land” (Tunohopu)

 
 
 
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Hurungaterangi Whanau


Ko wai te toa, no wai te toa? Ko Hurungaterangi e tū nei!

We are Hurangaterangi, named after one of the prestigious Koromātua of Ngāti Whakaue, and who is also a descendant of Tutanekai. 

Ko Moerangi te maunga
Ko Te-Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe te moana
Ko Puarenga te awa
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Ngāti Whakaue nui tonu te iwi
Ko Ngāti Hurungaterangi te hapū
Ko Hurungaterangi te whare tūpuna
Ko Whaingārangi te wharekai
Ko Hurungaterangi te marae.

Ko te paetawhiti, whaia kia tata! Ko te paetata,  whakamaua kia eke ki te pae o angitū!
Ko te kaupapa matua o tātou te whanau o Te Roro o te rangi  he hanga mātauranga Māori nā te Māori. E hangaia ana tēnei mātauranga i roto i te whare o Te Ao Mārama, i runga anō hoki i ngā whakaaturanga o te whakapapa kia mārama ai te tangata ki tōna ao.  

 
 
 
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Pukaki Whanau

Pukaki Whanau is immensley proud to be named after Ngati Whakaue Koromatua Pukaki, renowned warrior and leader. Pukaki born at Kaiweka at Mokoia Island, was the son of Taiwere, brother of Ariariterangi, and Tamiuru, a daughter of Te Takinga of Ngati Pikiao.

Pukaki Whanau’s vision for our students centres around student engagement. Student engagement is a driver of student achievement and our Whanau strives to provide opportunities that will enable every student in our whanau to have a long term love of learning – that they view learning as fun, see it as important, see the value of working with others and place importance on being part of a whanau and wider school community.

“Kaua e rangiruatia te hapai o te hoe; e kore to tatou waka e u ki uta”
“Do not lift the paddle out of unison or our canoe will never reach the shore”

 
 
 
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Tunohopu Whanau

Through Whanaungatanga we aim to develop culturally responsive, productive members of society confident in their identity. Through our unique curriculum contexts will develop students who value Māori ways of knowing, being and learning. We hope to strengthen in them the characteristics that will help them to be successful in whatever life paths they choose. We expect to collaborate with students and their Whānau to create meaningful learning experiences to enrich their learning lives and make them hopeful for their futures.

“Hei aha au te mate noa ake, i taku pa karito ka tupu” Na Tunohopu
“And what if I should die, when my legacy, my descendants live on” said Tunohopu

This whakatauki is about resilience and service. Our ancestor Tunohopu left his people to go to Taupo to rescue his son Taioperua, who had been kidnapped and was presumed dead. His iwi, Ngāti Whakaue, were distraught and pleaded with him not to go. In his address to them he spoke the above words, reassuring them that even if something happened to him, they were his ‘pa karito’, his descendants, his legacy. Their lives would go on and the mahi that he did would be carried on through them.

 
 
 
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