Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngaa Papaonekura has officially opened its doors to the Papakura community in Auckland.
A dawn ceremony marked the occasion that saw local kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori attend, as well as representatives from Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, the national collective body of Te Aho Matua kura, Ngāti Tamaoho, and the ministry.
Tumuaki Ian Marino-Tauhinu said that while working in mainstream schools in Papakura, he could see there was a need for a kura kaupapa Māori in the community, especially with six kōhanga reo in the area — the new kura will be a continuation of a total immersion environment for tamariki.
"Kua roa ngā kohanga reo o Papakura e mahi ana i ngā mahi nā reira mō tātou tēnei (The kōhanga reo in Papakura have long been doing the work so this [kura] is for us all)."
The kura is underpinned by the philosophical framework of Te Aho Matua and will teach students from Year 0 to 13.
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